An overnight call in Dublin on September 9 gave passengers on Oceania Cruises’ Marina plenty of time to enjoy not only the city but also its environs. It also provided an opportunity to enjoy a Saturday night out and experience Irish hospitality at its best.

Tours orchestrated by Intercruises Shoreside and Port Services included art & antiques in Dublin; a guided walk in the city; a visit to Powerscourt Gardens; a tour of the Guiness Storehouse and a river cruise and city sights.  

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.  

One year after the inauguration of the new pier in Leixoes, the number of passengers is more than double the 13,000 recorded in 2011.

About 29,000 cruise passengers visited Oporto during the first half of 2012. The 118% growth in passenger numbers is the result of both an  increase in the number of calls but also the dimension of vessels calling.

Seven out of 15 calls to the Isle of Man this year are first timers to the island. For 2013 there are already 13 calls booked, again with many inaugural visits.

“Marina [Oceania Cruises] came in twice last year and I think this really turned a corner for us. It was highly successful in terms of disembarkation,” said Terry Toohey, cruise consultant Isle of Man Tourism. “Up until now we had not had Regent Seven Seas Cruises come in but now Seven Seas Voyager is booked.” Oceania Cruises is also bringing Nautica to the port.

Stornoway is looking forward to receiving up to 11,000 passengers this year on 28 calls. First time visits are booked for Oceania Cruises’ Marina, Kristina Katarina and MSC Lirica.

To greet its visitors Stornoway Cruise Group is rolling out a ‘Welcome Scheme’ for passengers this season. The aim is to provide an incentive to passengers and crew to make use of local shops and facilities.

The scheme has the support of local businesses on the Isle of Lewis. Some will be offering discounts on retail purchases while others will offer a free gift with every purchase.

As a result of the growing increase in traffic, in 2012 the Bilbao Port Authority will commence the building of a new cruise terminal with a third berthing line. The works are scheduled for completion mid way through 2014 at an estimated cost of E17.6 million. 

The new terminal will have a 27,400m² land surface area, be 76m wide and 355 mlong with a 12m draught. The project includes building a second passenger maritime station and an underground car park. 

Riga is looking forward to a prosperous cruise season with calls expected to reach 92, up 33% on the 69 of 2011.

This number may increase further according to Laura Apoga, marketing specialist cruise and passenger division Freeport of Riga Authority, if Delpin comes to the region.

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.

Dover is expecting 156 calls in 2012 bringing more than 250,000 to the port. This represents a 14.7% increase on 2011.

Of the 136 calls in Dover this year, 84 were full turnarounds, 14 partial, one embarkation only and 37 transit calls. Turnaround passengers will reach 138,656 and transit 84,095. 

On September 5 Costa Cruises’ Costa Magica called Le Havre’s new cruise terminal for the eleventh time this year, ending the 2011 series of turnarounds at the French port.