The MV Boudicca, operated by Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, will dock at Poole Harbour’s South Quay as part of a free eight-day cruise marking the 75th anniversary of D-Day. Her arrival marks a significant milestone in the operation of the £10 million South Quay expansion works. One of the biggest recent port developments on the south coast, the seven-year expansion programme included the construction of a deep-water quay, enabling it to handle larger cruise, bulk and liner vessels. Now complete, the quay will allow the port to meet demand from cruise operators and accommodate bigger ships carrying over 1,000 passengers.

It will enter the harbour at 9.45am.

At 205.47m in length and weighing more than 28,000 tonnes, the MV Boudicca is the largest passenger cruise ship to call at Poole Harbour. She will berth at the port today, allowing VIP passengers to take part in the town’s D-Day celebrations.

Jim Stewart, chief executive of Poole Harbour Commissioners, the trust port that runs the harbour, said: “The arrival of our largest cruise ship to date is an especially significant occasion as we are welcoming 300 special guests, the youngest of whom is 92, to mark an important D-Day anniversary.

“Her arrival is also representative of our progress in putting Poole on the map as a hub for bigger cruise ships. We have plans to triple the number of cruise ships docking in Poole and are already receiving bookings from cruise companies for 2021.

“The initial funding from NatWest allowed us to complete the South Quay, which is already proving to be a catalyst for bringing in new business that will benefit the local economy and has been crucial conclusion to our seven-year expansion plan at the port.”