17 May, 2007

ONE OF the busiest and longest cruise ship seasons Lerwick harbour has ever seen gets under way with the Professor Multanovski expected in port later today (Thursday).

The former polar and oceanographic research vessel, converted to take up to 49 passengers on expedition cruises, was yesterday on her way from Kirkwall to Lerwick, taking in Fair Isle and Mousa en route.

Her visit kicks off Lerwick harbour's summer season, which will see a total of 47 cruise liners bringing around 21,000 passengers to set foot on the isles

The next vessels due to visit are the Black Prince, on Tuesday, followed by the maiden visit of the new Norwegian Coastal Voyage ship Fram and the Polar Star, both one day later.

Lerwick Port Authority's harbourmaster Calum Grains said: "The 47 cruise ships currently booked to call are only one less than the record total achieved twice in recent years."

The cruise ship season is scheduled to continue until late September, with the Black Watch the final visitor on 25 September, on a voyage from Dover to Torshavn.

"With around 21,000 passengers on board the cruise ships, the return of the Norröna, and upgraded accommodation on NorthLink's daily ferries to-and-from mainland Scotland, we are looking forward to another busy period for passenger traffic," Captain Grains said.