DART Harbour is facing a disappointing start to the cruise ship season.

Its first visitor, The National Geographic Explorer has been forced to cancel the latter stages of a cruise that saw it coming into Dartmouth.

The ship was repositioning from the Antarctic when it encountered technical issues that have slowed its progress, meaning that it is now running a couple of days late.

Tricia Daniels, Dart Harbour and Navigation Authority cruise advisor, said: ‘In order to be on time for the cruise following this one, NG Explorer had taken the decision to drop some ports.

‘Of course, it is disappointing news but itinerary amendments, whether for technical reasons or weather conditions, are par for the course in this industry and now, all we can do is to work at getting more bookings with the vessel in the coming years.

‘Luckily, we have a good relationship with this company and hopefully, we’ll see NG Explorer back here in the future.

‘People do come here specifically to see these ships, so we are trying to reach as many as possible with the news.’

Trish said the next ship Ocean Nova was due to arrive mid-river on Friday, April 29, and would remain for the weekend.