In 1991 when Cruise Europe began, Falmouth received six calls with 665 passengers. Twenty years later the numbers have risen to 27 and 17,872 respectively.

The UK port’s best year to date was in 2006 when the port received 32 transit calls carrying 25,325 passengers and 28 turnarounds with 24,731 passengers.

A Coruna is expecting 83 calls and 135,000 passengers this year which makes it a record season for the Spanish port.

Milford Haven has 10 calls and 5,239 passengers booked in 2011 compared to four calls and 2,206 passengers this year.

Ullapool has invested £110,000 (E131,566) in a dedicated leisure pontoon to make it a more attractive tender destination, says Kevin Peach, chief executive and harbourmaster Ullapool Harbour Trustees.

Harwich has 26 calls booked in 2010 compared to 46 turnaround and six transit calls in 2009 bringing a total of 135,000 passengers to the east coast of England port.