FOR the second year in a row cruise ship company Noble Caledonia’s vessels are sailing into Poole to pick up passengers.

A cruise to explore the spring delights of Britain and Ireland is among six visits to the south coast port that the company’s vessels are due to make this year.

The Island Sky tied up at the port to welcome its passengers for a 12 day cruise to the Channel Islands and Isles of Scilly and on to Southern Ireland, Iona and the Isle of Sky.

Along the way are visits to the delights of the Abbey Gardens on Tresco, Portmeirion in North Wales and Inverewe in Scotland, and to stately homes set amid stunning scenery.

Island Sky, which can embark 117 passengers, visited Poole last year and was among three sailings from the port last season.

Poole Harbour Commissioners were delighted to welcome back the small cruise ships. The cruise market is one of the fastest growing tourism sectors in the UK and PHC are keen for more small to medium ships to visit the port.

“It has been exciting to see an uplift in cruise business over recent years and we have been told by a number of cruise ship operators that they are keen to come to Poole Harbour,” said Jim Stewart, chief executive.

“Our planned new berth will provide facilities for vessels that currently cannot call at Poole,” he said.

The commissioners have applied to the Marine Management Organisation for a Poole Harbour Revision (Works) Order to build a new and deeper quay at the port.

“PHC works very hard to ensure the best customer service for these organisations and hope that the message may spread wider throughout the industry that Poole is a perfect place to bring their business,” he added.