Flag waver rewarded with cruise
Charles Cremona and his wife Consiglia. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
The slight figure of Charles Cremona and his large Maltese flag set against the arresting backdrop of the Grand Harbour has become a familiar sight for the crews of departing cruise ships.
On June 7, however, this scenario will be inverted. Instead of Mr Cremona waving to the cruise passengers from the roof of his apartment block in Valletta, his children will be waving the flag as the 70-year-old and his wife embark on a cruise around the West Mediterranean.
A spokesperson from the Tourism Ministry confirmed that a private company had awarded the couple a voucher for a cruise holiday in appreciation of the hospitality he shows towards cruise liner passengers.
Mr Cremona and his wife Consiglia are thrilled at the prospect of cruising the Mediterranean Sea. “This was such a splendid surprise. We are deeply grateful to all involved in presenting us with this wonderful gift,” Mr Cremona said.
He described the overwhelming response he received from all those who had read the two reports on The Times outlining his commendable practice. “I am constantly stopped in the street by people who applaud me for waving out the cruise liners. In fact, it’s become such a common occurrence that I always keep a copy of the two articles in my pocket to show to all those who express interest,” he said, brandishing the folded pages.
He has also had the newspaper articles enlarged and framed, hanging proudly on his sitting room wall.
So for once, he won’t be the one waving the flag at the cruise liners, right?
“No,” he laughed. “I’ll be taking a smaller Maltese flag along with me on the cruise ship so that I can keep waving to all those who see me off.”
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Anne McGreevy
Oct 27th 2012, 12:08
How wonderful. I am Maltese, living in Melbourne since a child of 10 and this has brought back memories of times past. When my husband and I visit next June, we will think of Mr.Cremona. All the best for your cruise and enjoy!
Paul Konti
Oct 27th 2012, 10:38
A well-deserved award! Enjoy the cruise around the Western Mediterranean. My wife and I have been on it three times and, I can assure you, you are going to love it. May I also suggest you forget about diets and cholesterol for that week and have a jolly good time. We only live once.
Thank you 'Private company' for following my suggestion.
James Wightman
Oct 27th 2012, 09:19
Thats more like it :)
David Rose
Oct 26th 2012, 21:11
Great and heart-warming story. I've read a couple of stories about Charles in the Times of Malta and this one just caps it off beautifully.
Well done that 'Private Company', maybe they should be named to give them some well deserved free publicity.
Grace Micallef-natale
Oct 26th 2012, 21:00
To Charles..........From one of your co-workers from the past (from Buhagiar in the 1960's)........wishing you all the best and your cruise is well deserved.........from Joe Natale (and wife Grace) in Canada. You might remember we bumped into each other in Valletta when we were visiting Malta in 2005. God bless always........
Ray de Bono
Oct 26th 2012, 16:43
Such a sweet story!
I Bugeja
Oct 26th 2012, 14:46
Some nice news finally
Alan Attard
Oct 26th 2012, 14:28
Awguri lil Charlie u Consiglia. Ghas-Sette Giugno mela jekk Alla jrid! Inselli.
silvio agius
Oct 26th 2012, 14:26
issa imiss lilna li inxejru lillek ,habib.prosit tassew.
J Martinelli
Oct 26th 2012, 14:16
Il-vjagg it-tajjeb Charlie w Consiglia.
Hudu pjacir u grazzi ghal gest semplici imma ta fejda kbira ghall-industrija tat-turizmu. Prosit.
Anthony Thorne
Oct 26th 2012, 13:19
Well done goes to Mr.Cremona and also to that private company that appreciated his patriotic contribution.
S. Bonello
Oct 26th 2012, 12:55
Tal genn MAN !!!
Malti ta vera. Taghmel gieh lil Maltin u lil Maltin veri.
Prosit !!!
Martin Attard
Oct 26th 2012, 12:48
l-isbah haga li tezizsti fil-konfront tal -barrani hija il-bandiera tieghek stess, l-ghaxqa tieghi kull meta mmur xi loghba jew kuncert nuri lil udjenza prezenti minn fejn jien :)
Giovanni Rizzo
Oct 26th 2012, 12:23
Prosit ta' dan il-gest u l-vjagg it-tajjeb habib.
R Axisa
Oct 26th 2012, 11:53
A reward he really deserves. Bon voyage!
fred sammut
Oct 26th 2012, 11:44
hey well done.... u boun voyage.....
meta kont zghir konna nghidu cajta li hemm xoghl l airport ixxejer lit turisti.......... IMMA mill jidher dan is sinjur thallas
Sabiha wisq il Bandiera taghna!!!!!
aldo Attard
Oct 26th 2012, 11:38
Enjoy.
This is Valletta calling.
Make sure the red and white colours are widely pronounced.
Bon Voyage.
Edwin PACE
Oct 26th 2012, 11:21
At least the name of Malta is back on News because of a simple gesture from a Simple Maltese Middle Class Pensioner who still feels in his veins that he is still a MALTESE.
Brian Newbould
Oct 26th 2012, 11:06
What a lovely story. Sums up why we fell in love with Malta and its people nearly 20 years ago when a polite young man at a petrol station offered to fill up our car using one of those money eating machines (!) as the station was closed. On offering him a 'tip' he replied; 'no thank you, only too pleased to help, I am proud of my country' Well you could have floored us with a feather!
N. Pace Debono
Oct 26th 2012, 12:49
nice story! makes me even more proud! :) may you enjoy many more years on our beautiful island!
MT Caruana
Oct 26th 2012, 11:03
X'hawn isbah milli tkun semplici, Prosit u Happy cruise.
Antonia Vella
Oct 26th 2012, 10:59
Boun Voyage :)
Mario Camilleri
Oct 26th 2012, 10:45
If only we could see a lot of this kind rather than politics!
S. Bonello
Oct 26th 2012, 13:05
100% agreed !!!
JOSEPH MUSCAT
Oct 26th 2012, 10:40
That`s whom you call patriotic not our politisians enjoy your cruise Mr and Mrs Cremona and have a safe journey.
Paul Kew
Oct 26th 2012, 10:37
What a wonderful gesture. Enjoy your cruise.
Pauline Peterson
Oct 26th 2012, 09:59
Good on you Charlie, enjoy your cruise.
Peter Murray
Oct 26th 2012, 09:28
Well deserved reward for flying the flag for Malta.Enjoy and prosit tassew is-sur Charlie
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