Thomson Cruises cruise ship Thomson Spirit made an impressive entry into the inner harbour on Monday under the direction of pilot Nick Martin. The vessel is the former Holland and America ship, Nieuw Amsterdam, is on a round Britain cruise. 

This week was be busy for the port in terms of calls as the European cruise season peaks this month before the ships head south. AIDAcara made a return call on Wednesday on her second round Britain cruise.

The Funchal arrived back from her Canary Islands cruise on Saturday to embark passengers for her next cruise to Spain and France. Also berthing at the docks on the same tide was the luxurious sailing cruise ship Sea Cloud II.

The three-masted barque is rated a five–star luxury cruise ship in the Berlitz guide written and edited by Douglas Ward, the world’s foremost authority on cruising.

The 3,800 tons Sea Cloud II built in Figueras, Spain entered service in 2001. Ward describes her as “ one of the most luxurious true sailing ships in the world. This is as exclusive as it gets – sailing in the lap of luxury.”

Sea Cloud II carries 96 passengers with a crew of 60.