Falmouth had a big thumbs up from many of the 1,800 mainly American passengers that came ashore from the large resort cruiseship Constellation on Monday when she anchored off the port for a day long cruise call after arriving from Dublin.

Pilot Captain Dave Pickston anchored the 90,000 ton Constellation as close to the port as safely possible to reduce the distance tenders had to steam to the docks to disembark the passengers.

County wharf acted as a coach terminus with 20 coaches requisitioned from all over the county to take passengers to Pencarrow House, Lands End via St Ives, Polperro, Lanhydrock House, a Coastal Trek and Pub, a Cornwall drive and Lands End, St. Michaels Mount , Fowey, and St. Mawes.

Two boat trips went direct from the ship, one to Trelissick and the other to St. Mawes with another 50 passengers.

Making his 47th cruise with Celebrity was American businessman and television host Chris Nahatis and his daughter Johanna who live in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts.

"My family had a marvellous day today. Falmouth, Truro and St Mawes are delightful. The English countryside is so beautiful, so green, the gardens are amazing and the people so friendly. I would recommend all my friends to visit Cornwall and Falmouth harbour.

"In down-town St Mawes we enjoyed a pint of Guinness and fish and chips at the Rising Sun pub." said Chris who is president of Saladmaster Inc , a company specialising in kitchen utensils.

Spreading across Constellation's foyer is a conservatory in a glass house with a unique botanical environment with flowers, plants, trees, mini gardens and fountains.

The ship boasts a 1,300 square metres shopping arcade with brand names Versace and Hugo Boss. Glass sided lifts transport passengers through 11 decks.

The 1,198 seat San Marco restaurant is a two deck high formal restaurant with a grand staircase connecting the two levels. Forward is the 900 seat theatre on three decks.

Constellation later sailed for Le Havre and Southampton before beginning her European cruise season which in 2008 Celebrity Cruises is spearheading with five ships.

Today Thousands of American passengers came ashore from the 90,000 ton mega cruiseship Jewel of the Seas when she made her inaugural visit to the port.

Her Norwegian master Captain Thore Thorolvsen said the European cruise season is beginning two weeks earlier this year and in 2008 it will be earlier again as the cruise companies realise the full potential of northern Europe.

Tendering so many people ashore is a nightmare for the ship but all went according to plan with a fleet of tenders and local pleasure boats bringing people to the docks.

The ship returns in June for another call when she may well be coming into the Cross Channel anchorage in the Carrick Roads as she is fitted with a fully computerised dynamic positioning system that will allow her to remain stationary in one position without anchoring using global positioning, engines and thrusters.