Popular vintage cruise ship Balmoral will sail regally into port tomorrow, back in service again after some repair and renovation work.

The ship, which started life in the 1940s as the Isle of Wight ferry, is now owned by a charitable trust and it was feared she may not sail this season if the work could not be completed.

But following some major fundraising efforts she should be back in service for the summer season.

It means passengers from the island can step back in time to enjoy the bygone splendour of the ship’s 70-seat restaurant, art-deco lounge, which serves refreshments and the bar which will be open for the special Tynwald Day and afternoon cruises planned.

On July 5 the ship will complete a round the island trip taking in Ramsey, Peel, Port St Mary and Douglas.

Trips to the Calf of Man and Whitehaven are planned for July 21 and 22.

Balmoral spokesman Paul Doubler said: ’We look forward very much to returning to the Isle of Man where we were made so welcome and had such successful visits last summer. Balmoral was the UK Historic Fleets Flagship of the Year 2016 and is Britain’s most travelled coastal excursion ship. She offers unique cruises all around the British coastline, none more so than to and around the Isle of Man.’

The ship will make five separate visits this year to the island, three more than last year, and the first visit is set for Thursday (June 29) when she makes the trip across from Llandudno, with up to 500 passengers making a three-hour visit to Port St Mary. The Llandudno trip to the island, the first from that port since 2005, will be repeated on July 17.

Mr Doubler added: ’Balmoral’s excursions last year proved very popular. Bookings are excellent for Whitehaven to Douglas. Many visitors are expected to travel to the island on Friday, stay over, and return on Saturday or Sunday. There are also opportunities for Manx residents to travel to Whitehaven on Friday and return to Peel on Sunday.’