The penultimate cruise vessel caller to the Isle of Man in 2009 is due in Douglas Bay tomorrow, Thursday 10th September. 

The graceful MV Albatros is under long term charter to the Phoenix Reisen travel organisation. 

On board the cruise will be 742 passengers in addition to the 325 crew complement.

This is the second use of the name ‘Albatros’  by this German charter operator. 

The former vessel that they operated bearing the same name was a famous Cunarder, the ‘Sylvania’ which, as the Albatros, became a much loved and popular ship with the German speaking market.  This vessel called at Port Erin in 1974.

The current Albatros has an equally notable pedigree and was the former Royal Viking Sea from the now long defunct Royal Viking Line.

Geoff Corkish MBE, MHK and Political member for the Department of Tourism and Leisure, has welcomed the call of the Albatros. 

He said, "While the current cruise season is drawing to a close, we are very pleased by the growing interest shown by the cruise industry in the Isle of Man which is a great boost for our economy. 

"The Island has an enormous amount to offer by way of beautiful countryside and a wealth of unique attractions and is well equipped to deal with the needs of visitors on a large cruise ship such as the Albatros. 

"We look forward to showcasing all the Island has to offer to our visitors and hope that we can entice them to visit again in the future for a longer holiday."

The outline of the vessel may look familiar to eagle-eyed readers, being identical to that of its sister ship, the Royal Viking Sky, which was featured on the Ships definitive series produced by the Isle of Man Post Office in 1997.

Pictured: The MV Albatros cruise liner taken last month when she visited the Icelandic port of Akureyri.