THE 2016 cruise ship season has started with Fred Olsen’s Boudicca embarking 850 passengers for a Canary Islands cruise, the first of two Falmouth to Falmouth cruises. Among the passengers were many from Devon and Cornwall taking the opportunity to cruise from their own front door.

A&P Falmouth has converted a cargo shed into a passenger embarkation facility, such is the importance placed on the Fred Olsen business. The company is rapidly becoming a leading customer in Falmouth with five calls this year and more planned for next year.

By using Falmouth as a back-to-back turn around port instead of Southampton, Fred Olsen probably save one and a half days steaming time for the Boudicca which represents a significant saving on fuel and time.

If Falmouth had a designated cruise terminal and deep-water berth, the port could attract other cruise companies to follow suit.

Such is the interest in Cornwall for cruising that leading travel agents Newell’s Travel is setting a Cruise Show in Newquay later in the year when all of the leading cruise companies will be represented.

Cruising from Cornwall takes off again next year with prospective passengers having the choice of cruising with Fred Olsen and Silverseas Cruises.

Fred Olsen is offering a 12 nights “Canary Islands, Lisbon and Madeira” cruise on the Boudicca on April 1st, 2017. Ports of call include Arrecife, Lanzaraote, Las Palms, Santa Cruz, Tenerife, Funchal and Lisbon.

On her arrival back in Falmouth Boudicca embarks passengers on April 13th for a 16-nights “Discovering the Amalfi Coast” cruise taking in the ports of Cartagena, Palermo, Sicily, Amalfi coast, Civitavecchia (Rome) Sorrento, Olbia (Sardinia) and Portimao, Algarve before returning to Falmouth. This particular cruise is generating much interest.

Silversea Cruises are offering two cruises to Montreal, Canada from Fowey in the Silver Whisper in August 2017 and from Falmouth on their brand new flagship Silver Muse the following month.

From Fowey the Silver Whisper starts her trans-Atlantic 17 days “Fowey to Canada” cruise calling at Irish ports, Iceland, Greenland and Canadian ports.

The ship, which will bring the Silversea Cruises fleet up to nine ships, is expected in service during the spring.

Silver Muse will begin her 16-day cruise from here to Canada via ports in Ireland and seven Canadian ports.

The new ultra-luxury ship is being built by Fincantieri and at 40,000 grt accommodates 596 guests.

Details of all the cruises are available by phoning 01326 312620.