The port welcomes the five-star rated ultra-luxurious cruise ship Silver Whisper today (Friday), as she makes Falmouth the first port of call on her 12-day Southampton to Copenhagen cruise.

Fares for the cruise start at an eyewatering £3,400.

The 28,000-ton, sleek, white-hulled vessel will berth on County Wharf. She previously called here in 2005. From Falmouth, the ship will sail to Waterford, Dublin, Holyhead, Belfast, Portree (Isle of Skye) Invergordon, Leith, Helsingborg and Copenhagen.

President Vladimir Putin chartered Silver Whisper in 2003 for guests to enjoy three days of celebrations to mark the 300th anniversary of the founding of St Petersburg. The 382-guest ship welcomed aboard world leaders from the G8 countries, including French President Jacques Chirac, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder.

The ship hosted a magnificent Russian state dinner for 46 presidents and prime ministers, plus another 46 ambassadors and ministers.

Later, President Putin presented Silversea Cruises’ chairman Manfredi Lefebvre and 22 of the company’s employees with prestigious trophies to mark the event and the superb standard of hospitality given to his guests.

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