Cruise passengers will take away more than fond memories of their visit to the Isle of Man this summer.

From this weekend, a pop-up shop situated near the cruise welcome desk at the Sea Terminal will allow passengers to purchase high quality Manx food, drink and crafts to carry home with them.

The shop will be run by MostlyManx, a not for profit cooperative selling items from more than 90 skilled food and drink producers and artisans.

The shop has been organised by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture as part of its Food Matters strategy.

Twenty seven cruise vessels, carrying nearly 10,000 passengers, will visit the Island this summer – the highest number since cruise ships started visiting the Island.

The first ship, Le Soleal, arrives this Saturday (29th April).

Martyn Perkins MHK, Member of DEFA with responsibility for food growth, said: ‘Last year we arranged for MostlyManx to launch a static shop in the Isle of Manx Government Welcome Centre at the Sea Terminal and this has proved popular with cruise passengers and those on domestic voyages.

‘Having a special pop-up shop near  the cruise welcome desk, in addition, will ensure this summer’s cruise visitors have the option to purchase a wide range of Manx food, drink and crafts to take home as souvenir or gifts.

‘This will not only provide a boost for MostlyManx’s producers in terms of sales, benefitting our economy.

‘Sending Manx-made goods all round the world will demonstrate the quality of our produce to a wide audience – and spread the message that we are a special place to live, work and visit.

‘We are pleased to have worked with the Department of Economic Development’s cruise consultants Neptumar and with the Department of Infrastructure to bring this about.’

Photo - Cruise passengers browsing Manx produce last summer.