Dover is expecting 156 calls in 2012 bringing more than 250,000 to the port. This represents a 14.7% increase on 2011.

Of the 136 calls in Dover this year, 84 were full turnarounds, 14 partial, one embarkation only and 37 transit calls. Turnaround passengers will reach 138,656 and transit 84,095. 

Le Havre has six calls booked this Christmas compared to one last year and the port is keen to not only attract more of these calls but extend the cruise season.

Valerie Dubuc, cruise director Cruise Le Havre, says: “One of our goals is to extend our cruise season throughout the year. I think there is a great potential for Christmas cruises. 

The port is preparing an entertainment programme at the Cruise Terminal which includes mulled wine and hot chocolate. This December P&O Cruises’ Arcadia will call four times, Oriana once and Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2 once.

Oslo is expecting six calls this October and Christmas calls in December are quite possible due to the port having no problems with ice. Next year there will be only four months without cruise calls.

By the year end, Oslo will have welcomed an estimated 310,000 passengers on 174 calls. The nationality split is different this year compared to former years. About 100,000 passengers are from Germany with AIDA Cruises making 39 calls, of which 29 have been overnight stays.

On August 21 1991 Mermoz called Le Havre. A year later the Port Authority was looking at dedicating an area to cruiseships, La Pointe de Floride, where they still call today. It was seen as a good position because the cruiseships could be viewed from the city centre and the passengers could see the city.

On September 5 Costa Cruises’ Costa Magica called Le Havre’s new cruise terminal for the eleventh time this year, ending the 2011 series of turnarounds at the French port.

Invergordon has achieved another first, with the greatest number of passengers ever to arrive in the town on one ship.

Amsterdam is expecting 84 turnaround calls in 2012 compared to 58 this year, a 45% increase.

If the growth trend continues Europe will overtake the Caribbean as the most popular cruise destination in the world, Peter Wild of GP Wild (International) told Cruise Europe members in May.

During May, 26 cruiseships will be calling at Vigo’s new E18m facilities.

Costa Cruises will be taking Costa Deliziosa (five calls) and Costa Pacifica (four calls) to Andalsnes for the first time this year with the latter also calling Molde (two calls) for the first time in 2011.