2017 is lining up be a good year in terms of cruise ship visits with 30 ships now scheduled to call between February and October. Once again the market is predominantly German operated vessels. AIDAvita, AIDAcara, MS Hamburg, Astor, Artania, Mein Schiff 1, Albatros, Amadea and Europa.

Princess Cruise mega cruise ship Caribbean Princess, 112,000 gross tons, returns to the port after a long absence when she calls at the end of her trans-Atlantic re-positioning cruise from Florida to London to begin a European season. With a passenger capacity of 3,100 the ship will have to anchor south of Black Rock to tender guests ashore.

This year the Caribbean Princess will operate from Southampton making a number of Round Britain cruises with 10 scheduled calls at Cobh, a port that will see nearly 60 ships calling during the season and even more in 2017.

Making inaugural calls here will be the brand new Silver Muse, flagship of SilverSeas Cruises along with another new vessel the Viking Star. Both ships are rated five stars.

Fred Olsen Cruises is a strong contender next year with a total of six calls from the Balmoral, Boudicca, Braemar and Black Watch.

Over the next three years 40 cruise ships in excess of 100,000 tons are either under construction or on order. Without dredging or a new wharf none of ships could come alongside at Falmouth.