WITH many ports around Europe predicting a bumper year for cruise ship visits Falmouth is back in the frame again with 28 cruise calls after more companies have scheduled in ships for a visit to the town.

Grand Circle Cruises announced in January that its newly acquired vessel Clio is booked in for three calls later in the year. Clio is the former 88-passenger Tere Moana which joined Paul Gauguin Cruises in December 2012 after a renovation.

Built for French line Compagnie du Ponant in 1998 as Le Levant, the re-branded ship has new decor, signage and furnishings, as well as updates to public areas and restaurants.

Fred Olsen Cruises has confirmed eight calls with their ships Boudicca, Balmoral, Black Watch and Braemar.

St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly, is expecting 52 cruise ship calls, as the islands once again become the cruise capital of the South West. Many vessels calling are expedition cruise ships which Scilly is best suited to accommodate with Tresco's gardens being a classic excursion for passengers.

Smaller expedition type ships normally carry a limited number of passengers who enjoy fauna and flora cruises.

Europe continues to be an increasing market whilst some cruise companies black certain areas of the Mediterranean. During the past five years ships have boycotted ports in Egypt, Israel and Bahrain.

In the wake of the terrorist attack in Istanbul last month Celebrity Cruise, Disney Cruise line, Crystal Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC Cruises cancelled further calls to Turkey.

To see which ships are arriving at southwest ports visit destinationsouthwest.co.uk/about/cruise-calendar.htm.