The 2007 cruiseship season is drawing to an end with only the German-operated Maxim Gorky and the Van Gogh due to make calls. On Monday, the 90,000 ton resort ship Celebrity Constellation anchored off Black Rock carrying 1,850 passengers and 900 crew.

Nearly 800 passengers took excursion coaches to visit various locations in west and east Cornwall.

The ship, which is on a re-positioning cruise to the USA and Canada, was delayed from sailing by some coaches encountering traffic problems in west Cornwall and strong northerly winds at the anchorage which slowed down the tendering operation.

Even small delays cost the cruiseship operators money. A two hour delay in port limits means that the onboard shopping malls and casinos are closed until the vessel reaches open water resulting in a loss of revenue. Then to maintain the tight schedule the ship has to steam at full speed consuming more fuel oil.

Tendering passengers ashore from mega cruiseships is a logistical nightmare and it has taken its toll. Due to bad weather and problems encountered in handling large volumes of people the port has missed out this year.

A&P port operations director Mike Reynolds said: "We have seen 25 cruise calls and 13 turnarounds with 29,000 passengers in the port this year. This is a reduction from the 62 in 2006 and, with the loss of the Jewel of the Seas and 2,200 passengers earlier in the year due to weather and the continuing problems with tendering passengers in to the port from the larger ships, it underlines the need for the proposed dredging and improved facilities if Falmouth and west Cornwall are going to continue to benefit from the opportunities that cruise tourism offers.

"Next year we have 42 calls booked and hope that we will also successfully conclude the environmental impact assessment for the cruise project so that we can start building for the future."

Port managers are now eagerly awaiting the results of the study that will help determine whether or not the green light is given for the multi-million pound capital dredging scheme proposed for Falmouth.

If dredging goes ahead, the port will see an increase in cruiseship traffic with the creation of a new deep water channel and dedicated cruise ship berth at the docks. The results of the study being carried out by Royal Haskoning are expected early in 2008.