The Isle of Man’s attraction to cruise lines continues unabated as currently ten cruise calls are scheduled to visit the Island in 2011. The world’s only five star plus rated vessel, Hapag-Lloyd’s MS EUROPA will be revisiting our shores during July, a busy period as five cruise ships are due to call during that month. The previous visit of this vessel to the Isle of Man was in 2006. Minister for the Department of Economic Development, Allan Bell MHK, said: ‘I am delighted that the prestigious ms Europa will be visiting the Isle of Man again and look forward to welcoming her and all the cruise ships due to call this year. Another impressive caller bound to make an impression when it anchors in Douglas Bay is Oceania Cruises 66,000 ton new build the MS MARINA. The vessel is able to accommodate 1252 passengers in addition to its crew complement which totals 660. This is currently the World’s newest cruise liner and we are pleased to play host, not once, but twice to this luxury vessel as the agent has just this week booked a second call of the Marina.’ Member for the Department of Economic Development responsible for Tourism, Mr Geoff Corkish, MBE, MHK added: ‘We are pleased that in a very competitive market place the Isle of Man remains an attractive cruise destination. The contribution of cruise ships to our economy is significant and the Department of Economic Development is committed to developing this market for the benefit of the Isle of Man.’ Yet another liner, which will be visiting the Isle of Man for the first time in 2011, has also booked a number of calls during the year. THE CLIPPER ODYSSEY, which is classified as a ‘Boutique Ship’ will be calling on three occasions, twice to Port St Mary and once to Douglas. Additional callers will include yet another inaugural visit to our island, this time by P&O’s Adonia. In May of this year P&O will be acquiring the ROYAL PRINCESS from Princess Cruises and will be renaming her as the ADONIA. The 30,000 ton liner has a combined passenger and crew tally of over 1000 persons. Further calls scheduled for 2011 include the DISCOVERY and the OCEAN MAJESTY which will both be calling at Douglas as well as another regular and popular caller the ‘HEBRIDEAN PRINCESS’ which is due in Peel during TT week this year. Ends