The last cruise ships of the year came in September including the 2112grt Hebridean Princess. Normally plying around the Western Isles of Scotland, this 50 passenger ex Caledonian Macbrayne vessel was made famous by being chartered by the Queen to celebrate her 80^th Birthday.

Following the Hebridean Princess was the Ocean Countess on the 17^th of the month who, at 17593grt was taken over by ‘Cruise and Maritime Voyages’ in 2010 before undergoing a £3m refurbishment.

A first time visitor to the Islands was Hurtigruten’s ship Fram. Built in 2007 and 11647grt, she landed 202 passengers at St Mary’s and marked the end of our 2011 cruise season. At 35 cruise ship visits, 2011 can go down as another successful year and we can rightly label ourselves the busiest cruise call port in the South West of the UK.