The largest cruise ships to visit Falmouth this year were moored off Pendennis Point last week.

Thousands of American and European tourists disembarked from the Emerald Princess on Tuesday, May 7 and her sister ship the Caribbean Princess three days later.

Welcoming them was Falmouth’s own dedicated team of cruise ship ambassadors, who were on hand to give directions and offer information.

Established in 2006, the Falmouth Cruise Ship Ambassadors consist of a group of volunteers who want to improve the experience of those visiting the town from all over the world.

When a cruise ship docks, the ambassadors provide passengers with a warm welcome, free maps and guides (including The Guide published by the Packet) and brochures.

Visitors are then either guided to a complimentary shuttle bus into town, complete with running commentary, or given local advice if not booked on to a ship organised tour. And a special treat was in store for a select few passengers last week, who enjoyed a ride on the only surviving horse-drawn double-decker omnibus in the UK courtesy of The Lizard Stallions Carriage and Stud Company.

Phil Boddy, secretary of the ambassadors, was excited about the newly launched “meet and greet” bags sponsored by Falmouth businesses.

He said: “In each is a map and all these vouchers from the various shops in town to give the passengers discounts. That’s what we are all about really. We are trying, in a funny kind of way, to educate the town that the business is there.”

And businesses across town were getting on board with the cruise ship welcome, putting out advertising boards to entice visitors in and publicise the fact that they accept American Express, for example.

Cruise ship passenger Happy Briggs said: “It’s a really great programme you people have here. It’s really nice to have that personal touch.”

Ambassador Cheeky Browne is convinced the team’s efforts help boost the local economy. “When you see people coming back every second person, at least, has a shopping bag, and you don’t want to lose that,” she said.

The long-anticipated dredging of the harbour was still a concern though.

“The docks could be booming,” Cheeky said, “they are doing extremely well but ships get bigger and bigger.”

Still, being an ambassador “is one of the most rewarding jobs you can think of,” she said, adding: “we are such a nice crowd.”

The Caribbean Princess was the seventh cruise ship to call at Falmouth so far this season, with 4131 of a possible 6979 passengers visiting the town at some stage according to A&P Falmouth’s figures.