Falmouth has long been keen to dredge which would allow the larger cruiseships (up to Freedom-class size) to come alongside at Queens Wharf. However there are environmental concerns connected with relocating the maerl (calcified seaweed) habitat which have put the Port of Falmouth Development Initiative on hold since the licensing authority, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), refused a licence in early 2011. 

On the day Falmouth expected Oceania Cruises’ Marina to come alongside - making it the largest ship to dock in this picturesque town in Cornwall - the Falmouth Cruise Ship Ambassadors were out in force.  

Falmouth is expecting 25,705 passengers this year, up 37% or 7,000 on 2011. Calls will number 35 compared to 27 last year. Nine are at anchorage and the balance at the wharf.

International visitors have increased, according to Mike Reynolds port operations, who says that 12,000 will be coming from the USA and 6,000 from Germany.

In 1991 when Cruise Europe began, Falmouth received six calls with 665 passengers. Twenty years later the numbers have risen to 27 and 17,872 respectively.

The UK port’s best year to date was in 2006 when the port received 32 transit calls carrying 25,325 passengers and 28 turnarounds with 24,731 passengers.

On August 12, Holland America Line’s 55,575gt Maasdam came alongside Falmouth, UK. She is the largest ship to have called the port so far.

The World has booked to return to Falmouth for the third time in July 2013.

Falmouth is awaiting the outcome of its application for a licence to dredge the port and build a new 400m-long quay.

Falmouth has 31 calls booked in 2011, five of which are partial turnarounds for Cruise & Maritime Voyages’ Ocean Countess.