Some 350 American cruise passengers were flown directly from the United States to Malta last night to start a cruise from here after their aircraft's departure to Fiumicino, Rome was delayed because of technical problems.

The delay meant that the passengers could not join their Holland America cruise liner Noordam at Civitavecchia.

The cruise operators in association with their local agents Gollcher, however, made quick arrangements for the flight to come to Malta.

The passengers arrived during the night and were accommodated in hotels in Malta while the ship, which normally sails into Grand Harbour on Fridays, is to come to Malta this afternoon when another 300 passengers will be disembarked to take the return flight to the United States.

Kris Paris, general manager of cruise terminal operator Viset told timesofmalta.com that the development was significant for Malta in that it was the first time that cruise passengers were flying to and from the United States directly from Malta. That Malta had been chosen for an operation involving in excess of 600 passengers reflected the confidence of the operators in Malta's airport, hotel and cruise terminal facilities.

The Noordam will stay overnight in Malta and resume its normal itinerary tomorrow.