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.”