Passengers aboard a cruise liner sailing out of Grand Harbour yesterday were delighted to see a small group of people waving a Maltese flag from atop an apartment block.

This time, however, it was not Charles Cremona, the pensioner who unfailingly welcomes and bids farewell to cruise liner passengers. It was his son, Vince, waving the flag and his father waved back from the ship, the Costa Favolosa.

Last September, Times of Malta tracked down the 70-year-old after spotting his unswerving practice of cheerily waving his Maltese flag to arriving and departing cruise passengers.

Charles Cremona and his wife Consiglia on the deck of the Favolosa.

This did not escape the attention of a private company, which gave Mr Cremona and his wife, Consiglia, a free holiday on a cruise liner in appreciation of his commendable gesture.

And when the day arrived yesterday, his family and friends gathered on the roof of his flat in Valletta to give him a hearty send-off.

As the liner cruised sailed slowly out of the breakwater, Vince waved the flag as the rest of the party cheered and honked fog horns, brandishing a placard with the words “We love you” written across it.

The enthusiasm was readily reciprocated by the passengers on the liner, who cheered and waved back.

Mr Cremona himself could be distinguished by his Maltese flag, featuring an image of St Paul, which he proudly draped across the railings close to the distinctive yellow chimney.

Earlier in the day, Mr Cremona was visibly excited and had to be calmed down by his wife, as they packed their luggage for the week-long west Mediterranean cruise. “We are very grateful to all those who made this possible,” he smiled.

“Since last year, he has been waving with increased vigour and enthusiasm,” his wife added.

“He goes on the roof mornings and evenings to salute the cruise liners and their passengers.”

Mr Cremona notes he has a schedule of the liners and so he never misses one: “I feel as if I’m contributing to my home country in my own little way.”

And it seems he is becoming quite popular. A few weeks ago, a large group of Maltese were leaving on a cruise liner and as Mr Cremona waved them out cries of “Charlie” echoed through the air.

“Everywhere we go, he’s always greeted as ‘the one who waves out cruise liners’,” Ms Cremona said with a smile.

“Only last week, we were at the dentist’s and, as we walked into the clinic, the dentist made a waving motion. I replied: ‘Not too well,’ thinking he was referring to the performance of the Valletta football team.

“The dentist burst out laughing and said: ‘No, it’s the flag bearer!’”

Before he left his home to board the ship, Mr Cremona carefully folded and packed his Maltese flag featuring the effigy of St Paul.

“St Paul left Malta on a galley. I’ll be leaving Malta on the Favolosa,” he beamed.