AFTER two unpredictable seasons for the industry, cruise ships return to Dartmouth at the end of April, with two arrivals on consecutive days.

Tricia Daniels, Dart Harbour’s Cruise Co-ordinator said things “start off quietly” with the arrival of Ocean Nova on April 22, holding a maximum of just 84 passengers.

She said: “Ocean Nova spends much of her time running polar expeditions. However, on this occasion, she’s been chartered privately. The Dartmouth Visitor Centre will be in attendance to hand out information to these private guests. A late-night departure is currently planned, allowing for a full day in the town.”

The following day, April 23, is the first of four visits by Hurtigruten’s MS Maud.

Tricia added: “Hurtigruten is probably best known for its popular journeys up and down the coast of Norway, delivering mail, goods and passengers to cities, towns and tiny villages. In recent years they’ve expanded into the cruise market and now offer exploration voyages outside their native country.”

MS Maud was formally known as Midnatsol and has been working the coastal route since its launch in 2003. Relaunched in 2021 with additional environmentally-friendly technology, she now carries around 500 guests on voyages out of Dover.

Hurtigruten is offering passengers a complimentary tour of Dartmouth during the morning, which will be arranged and headed by Town Crier Les Ellis and his team. Maud will be leaving in the early afternoon for her final destination, Dover.

Both ships can be viewed mid-river, dependent on weather conditions.