The number of cruise ships and passengers visiting the Isle of Man is up by 75 per cent on last year.

A total of 28 cruise ships are scheduled to visit the Isle of Man’s shores this year (up from 16 in 2016) with 9,756 passengers aboard (an increase in passengers of 4,188 on last year).

The 50,000th cruise visitor to visit the Isle of Man since 2005 will be welcomed ashore in June.

The cruise season started on April 21 with the arrival of Hebridean Princess on a ’Springtime Surprise Cruise’.

On Saturday a Manx piper playing on Douglas quay heralded the arrival of two ships.

Luxury cruise ship Le Soléal berthed alongside Victoria Pier while Norwegian operator Hurtigruten’s ship Midnatsol anchored in Douglas Bay.

Rob Callister MHK, the politician at the Department of Economic Development with responsibility for tourism, said: ’The record bookings and the arrival of the 50,000th cruise visitor to our shores since 2005 highlights that the Isle of Man is being increasingly recognised by both cruise lines and visitors for the outstanding natural beauty, unique culture and heritage on offer.

’This is something that we are keen to capitalise on.

’Looking to the future, the department is working with the Department of Infrastructure to review and assess the opportunity for a deep water berth for cruise ships.’

Six cruise ships will be making their first calls to the Isle of Man this year, including two operated by luxury cruise operator Tauck.

Gail Kelmer, operations manager of Tauck Small Ship Cruising, said: ’We are delighted to be calling in to the Isle of Man for the first time this year.

’We are berthing in Douglas as part of an eight-day Celtic Coastlines and 12-day Treasures of the British/Irish Isles cruises.

’We have a reputation for delivering enriching travel experiences that enhance people’s lives and feel confident that the addition of the Isle of Man as a port of call will help us to build on that.’

The Isle of Man also continues to develop its relationship with Noble Caledonia.

It is the arrival of its ship, Hebridean Sky, on June 12, which will bring the 50,000th cruise passenger to the island.