The Department of Tourism and Leisure will pull out all the stops to welcome the final call of the season’s cruise ships, this Sunday 20th September, when the Seabourn Pride (pictured) visits the Island. 

This ‘Boutique ship’, as the vessel is described in the Berlitz Cruise Guide, will be making its inaugural call to our shores, although sister ships of this luxury liner have called to the Island in previous years. 

With an estimated number of 300 passengers, along with a crew of 100, this will have been one of the smaller cruise vessels visiting the Island this year.  

Martyn Quayle MHK, Minister for Tourism and Leisure, said, "The passengers cruising on the Seabourn Pride will be assured of a typically warm Manx welcome on their arrival and we will ensure they enjoy their visit to the Isle of Man. 

"We look forward to showcasing our Island’s outstanding natural beauty and some of the many attractions to them and hopefully they will leave with happy memories but, more importantly, return with their family and friends.

"We are looking forward with keen anticipation to our 2010 cruise ship season. 

"As things currently stand we have 14 scheduled calls next year, which is certainly on a par with the highest number of cruise arrivals in any given year. 

"Our cruise initiative appears to be working and this is most heartening and welcoming bearing in mind it is a most positive boost to our overall annual arrival figures."

Prior to its call to the Isle of Man, the Seabourn Pride will have called at Londonderry and, on departure from Douglas, its destination will be Waterford.