Seven ships are visiting the River Mersey, UK, for the first time in 2012.

Three of these belong to Saga, Saga Pearl, Saga Sapphire and Quest for Adventure. The remaining four are Princess Cruises’ Caribbean Princess, AIDA Cruises’ AIDAcara, P&O Cruises’ Adonia and Phoenix Reisen’s Albatros. 

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. 

Saga is spending three days in Hardanger Fjord next year for the first time.

Saga Sapphire will be calling Eidfjord, Odda and Loftus. Passengers will be taking part in the Hardangerfjord music festival, both public and private performances.

Ingrid Maderni, shore excursion executive Saga, said: “Norway is a very good destination for us. We can always sell the cruises and they are well received.” For 2013, she says there will be more calls to Hardangerfjord which is a “good region for us”.

Holland America Line’s Ryndam and Kristina Cruises’ Kristina Katarina called Skagen for the first time this summer.

On July 19 Cork accommodated three ships in one day for the first time in its history, carrying about 7,000 passengers and crew.

Milford Haven is delighted to be welcoming not one but two Saga ships on the same day, August 2.

The World sailed into the Port of Tyne (POT), north east England, on June 10 for the first time.

Saga has an exclusive cruise to Hardangerfjord in 2012, spending three nights and calling Eidfjord (pictured), Lofthus and Odda with Saga Sapphire.

Being close to the town centre and welcoming to passengers are two of Helsingborg’s main assets according to a report commissioned by the Port of Helsingborg from the Tourism Research Institute of Sweden.

On May 25, Aalborg will inaugurate its new berth which is right in the heart of the city.