AIDA Cruises return to Falmouth

08/10/2026

Falmouth Cruise Ship Ambassadors Celebrate 20 Years of Welcoming Visitors to Cornwall

Falmouth’s Cruise Ship Ambassadors are celebrating 20 years of welcoming visitors to the town – with another reason to celebrate after being named finalists in the Cornwall Tourism Awards 2026. The Falmouth Cruise Ship Ambassadors (FCSA) began with just six volunteers welcoming cruise passengers to Falmouth’s docks in the summer of 2006. Today, the group is more than 40 strong and has become a familiar part of the experience for thousands of cruise passengers arriving in Falmouth each year. To mark its 20th anniversary, the group will come together at The Cove, Maenporth, on Saturday 10 October for a three-course dinner and live music from Cornish folk performer Will Keating. The Cove has kindly waived its usual venue fee in support of the occasion. The anniversary year has been made even more special by the news that the Ambassadors have been selected as finalists in the Visitor Information Superstars category of the Cornwall Tourism Awards 2026. The team is now guaranteed a Gold, Silver or Bronze award, with the result due to be announced at the awards ceremony in November. Made up largely of retired local men and women, the Ambassadors give their time to share their knowledge of Falmouth and Cornwall, helping visitors make the most of their time ashore and providing the warm, personal welcome for which the group has become known. Their achievements over the past two decades also include a Gold Award from Enjoy England in 2008 for outstanding service and accreditation as members of the Cornish Heritage Volunteer Scheme in 2024. The celebrations come towards the end of another busy cruise season for Balaena Falmouth, with Holland America Line’s Rotterdam due to call on 21 October. Phil Boddy, Honorary Secretary of the Falmouth Cruise Ship Ambassadors, said: “I’ve been extremely proud to be the Honorary Secretary of this amazing group for the past 15 years, and I know I speak on behalf of all of us when I say we are absolutely delighted to be celebrating our 20th anniversary. “Over those 20 years, we have built a wonderful reputation with visitors from around the world. The comments we receive from cruise passengers show just how much that friendly Falmouth welcome is appreciated. “To be recognised as finalists in the Cornwall Tourism Awards in our 20th anniversary year makes it particularly special. We’ll have to wait until November to find out whether it’s Bronze, Silver or Gold!” Drystan Jones, Director of Port Development, Falmouth, said: “The Falmouth Cruise Ship Ambassadors have become part of the identity of cruise in Falmouth. “For 20 years, they have given their time, enthusiasm and local knowledge to make sure passengers stepping ashore receive a genuinely warm welcome. They are extremely well regarded by cruise lines and their passengers and have become an important part of Falmouth’s success as a cruise destination. “Behind the numbers and the ships, cruise is ultimately about people and the experience they have when they arrive. Our Ambassadors understand that better than anyone. “To see their contribution recognised by the Cornwall Tourism Awards in their 20th anniversary year is thoroughly deserved. We’re delighted to celebrate this milestone and thank every Ambassador, past and present, who has contributed over the last two decades.”

15/06/2025

Falmouth Marks Its Busiest Cruise Week of the Year

APCL A&P Falmouth experienced its busiest cruise week this year, with four consecutive port calls, including the return of Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambition for the second turnaround of the season. Welcoming more than 3,400 passengers ashore, APCL A&P Falmouth staff and the cruise ship ambassadors greeted Silversea Cruises Silver Dawn on Wednesday, Regent’s Seven Seas Grandeur on Thursday, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Balmoral on Friday, and Ambition on Saturday. Having successfully disembarked passengers from Ambition after their 14-day cruise around Iceland, the port team helped Ambassador welcome more than 300 embarking guests for their next trip around the Mediterranean – including one of the founding Falmouth Cruise Ship Ambassadors, David Pollard. Day passengers on Friday and Saturday made the most of the musical festivities at the International Sea Shanty Festival, which included more than 80 groups playing at various venues throughout the town. The team at the Seafarers’ Centre were also on hand throughout the week to welcome crew members from all four ships on their well-deserved shore breaks. A passenger commented: “I have been in the cruise industry for 24 years and have sailed around the world several times. I can honestly say that the welcome, friendliness and help offered by the team in Falmouth can't be matched, let alone beaten, anywhere else in the cruising world. “The team made a huge impression on everyone that I spoke to after the call.” We look forward to welcoming Seven Seas Grandeur back to Falmouth Port on Wednesday June 25th.

31/05/2025

Falmouth Hosts Its First Turnaround Cruise of the Season

APCL A&P Falmouth welcomed the first turnaround cruise call of the season, with passengers embarking on Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambition for its Icelandic Voyage. Ambition, which carries up to 1,200 passengers in 680 cabins, welcomed 301 holidaymakers from APCL A&P Falmouth’s international cruise terminal. Meanwhile, 900 guests who arrived into the Port from Ambition were warmly greeted by the Falmouth Cruise Ambassadors and APCL A&P Falmouth’s cruise team. They enjoyed the beauty of Falmouth town and made the most of the Discovery Farmers Market on Events Square. Passengers are now set to enjoy a 14-day voyage around Iceland’s dramatic landscapes, from the Nordic elegance of capital Reykjavik, to the fjord-side vistas of Isafjordur, near the Arctic Circle. We look forward to hearing all about their trip when they return to Falmouth on June 14th. Drystan Jones, Port Development Director, said: “APCL A&P Falmouth recognises the importance of providing all cruise passengers a truly memorable experience whether embarking, disembarking or enjoying a cruise call in Falmouth. “The terminal offers a seamless operation to guests who are either starting or finishing their cruise in Falmouth, whilst Falmouth port is superbly situated to ensure all guests can access Falmouth and the wider Cornish countryside easily. “APCL A&P Falmouth is proud of the service we offer to our cruise line customers and their guests and we look forward to continuing to support Ambassador throughout this cruise season.” christian verhounig CEO of Ambassador, said: “I’d like to thank our partners at Falmouth for welcoming us back for a third season of sailings from the South West of England. “In the short time Ambassador has been in operation, we have firmly established our no-fly cruise brand, offering our guests authentic experiences and affordable quality. After successful seasons in 2023 and 2024, we’re delighted to launch this year’s sailings from the region onboard our second lady of the sea, Ambition. “Our offering aboard Ambition, a small to mid-size ship, has proved a real hit, with guests telling us that they love boarding with a minimum of hassle and can experience amazing destinations from a port that’s close to home. We’re looking forward to welcoming our valued guests from the South West onboard for the warmest welcome at sea this season.”