By now the port would be gearing up for the first cruise ships of the European cruise season but with the current restrictions on travel and uncertainty the cruise lines continue to delay their start up dates.

A&P Falmouth is not promulgating the list of cruise ships expected here until the cruise companies finalise their start up dates and itineraries.

I spent a few hours gathering cruise ship intelligence from itineraries of the all the ships on the European circuit this year. Falmouth like other ports is going to take a big hit in revenue terms as almost daily, itineraries are changed by the leading lines.

I can't see any ships coming until mid June at the earliest with the arrival of the Deutschland on June 18 with Europa 2 expected on July 10.

Veendam, Volendam, Spirit of Adventure and Spirit of Discovery have all changed their itineraries in the wake of Covid. The world’s largest sailing cruise ship Golden Discovery appears to have cancelled her call here on June 24 but hopefully we will welcome her in August.

P&O has stopped marketing and selling all of its summer cruises. The company’s two mega ships Iona and Britannia will be operating in October.

Like the Cunard fleet most of the P&O fleet has been anchored off the south coast for the past year only returning to Southampton periodically to change crew, re-store and bunker.

In the meantime P&O has announced that it intends to offer short break week long UK cruises. The dates and itineraries will be published this month. All of the ships are too big to berth at Falmouth but no doubt will be seen cruising off the coast of Cornwall.

P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow said: "Following recent Government announcements and as the vaccine programme is rolled out across the globe we can all begin to feel a sense of reassurance and hope that this current lockdown period in the UK will come to an end.

“Whilst holidays here in the UK will be the first to become a reality we will, of course, gradually see the return of international travel but first we want guests to be able to enjoy a proper summer holiday at sea with the best in relaxation, entertainment and dining choice.

“These sailings will leave from our home port in Southampton and sail around UK coastal waters enjoying the summer sunshine.

"From the moment we see travel restrictions lifting we will begin the significant logistical task to re-start our operations. It will take some time for the first ship to return to service, followed by the phased return of the remaining fleet," Ludlow added.

"We cannot wait to welcome everyone back on board with the protection of effective protocols to safeguard the health and wellbeing of all crew and guests."