Earlier this week, Valletta Cruise Port and Mifsud Brothers Ltd (MBL) welcomed the brand new Carnival Vista. To mark this special occasion, a plaque exchange function took place on board.

Guests included the USA Ambassador Mr Hill, Minister for Tourism Edward Zammit Lewis, Minister for Transport Joe Mizzi, Stephen Xuereb, CEO of Valletta Cruise Port, Chief Pilot Capt. Jesmond Mifsud, Harbour Master. David Bugeja, Paul Bugeja CEO of the Malta Tourism Authority, Esther Bajada, Director for Tourism at the Ministry for Gozo, Pierre Fenech, executive director of the Institute of Tourism Studies and Michela Mifsud, director of Mifsud Brothers Ltd, and of course the media.

Captain Rocco Lubrano, Chief Engineer Cesare Boldini as well as officials from head office hosted a drinks party immediately after the traditional maritime exchange of plaques.

Ivan Mifsud, managing director of MBL said, "What made this occasion very special was that this represents the first of seven calls of Carnival Vista to Valletta and its debut in the Mediterranean, and the fact that the Hotel Director on board is Maltese - Pierre B. Camilleri. You do not often come across a Maltese person in this capacity." For MBL and Valletta Cruise Port this represented the fruit of discussions held in Miami, Barcelona and Hamburg with Carnival executives.

Mifsud Brothers Ltd is one of the leading port agents in Malta and Gozo concentrating on cruise ships and super yachts. Principals include Holland and America Line, Seabourn, P&O and Cunard which together with the flagship Carnival Cruise Line, all form part of the big Carnival Corporation family.