Valletta Waterfront welcomed its half-millionth cruise passenger this year. The passenger, Shannon Berg, of Jacksonville, Florida, was onboard the spectacular Norwegian Gem.

Ms Berg is travelling with her husband Stephen and this is the first time they were visiting Malta and the Mediterranean. Visibly excited, Ms Berg said she had struck it lucky to be the half-millionth cruise liner passenger and that Malta will be her lucky charm for the rest of her life. She added that she would only be too glad to return and enjoy seven full days of “Maltese charm”.

Ms Berg was awarded a return flight for two from a destination operated by Air Malta, courtesy of the national airline, and a seven-night stay at The Palace boutique hotel in Sliema for two, together with spa treatments and a free dinner. She was also given a commemorative plaque by Bristow Potteries and a Malta 360° book.

The Bergs received a VIP treatment for the day together with another four friends they met onboard from Kentucky and Chicago, which was coordinated by VISET Malta, operators of the Valletta Waterfront. The Bergs and their friends were taken on a personal guided tour of the Tarxien Temples and St John’s Cathedral and treated to lunch at the Valletta Waterfront. Avis Malta and Heritage Malta supported the tour.

During his welcome address, VISET Director Joe Demajo said that by the end of the year, the total number of cruise passengers is expected to reach the 530,000 mark. This is a considerable increase over last year, when 478,893 cruise liner passengers visited Malta. Compared to the 313,611 passengers in 2005, when the Valletta Waterfront was inaugurated, the leap in quantity demonstrates that the hard work is reaping interesting dividends, he said.

This was the Norwegian Gem’s 28th visit to Malta since it started operating on 6 May. During this period, the Norwegian Gem alone brought some 75,000 passengers to Malta. Furthermore, total embarking passengers this year amounted to almost 6,000, confirming Malta’s potential as a homeport and its suitability for turnaround operations.