DART Harbour has ended the summer cruise season on a high. A fitting proclamation from Dartmouth town crier Lez Ellis on the main staircase of the latest visiting ship brought events to a fitting close. The MV Azamara Journey was on a round Britain cruise when she dropped anchor about 600 yards beyond the castles on Monday. Once again the Dartmouth Cruise Ship Group, under the chairmanship of Tricia Daniels, organised a warm welcome for the ship and its passengers. More than 645 visitors from all over the world were on board and Mrs Daniels said they were 'very pleased' at the reception they received. The group is made up of Dartmouth Tourist Information Centre, Dart Harbour, Dartmouth Town Council and the Dartmouth BID. Dartmouth Museum and the Nauti Buoys singing group also got involved. During the day more than 450 passengers were in the town at any one point. Mrs Daniels said with only 200 heading out on excursions, many went shopping and had lunch in Dartmouth. They are reported to have 'loved' the shopping experience and many made the trip out to Dartmouth Castle or sailed along the river on trips. Towards the end of the day, Mayor and Mayoress Cllr Rob and Di Lyon visited the ship – as they have done for each cruise ship visit this season – with Lez Ellis and Mrs Daniels. The Mayor presented a gift on behalf of the town to the ship's British Captain Jason Ikiadis, before Mr Ellis performed a cry on the ship's main staircase and in its restaurant. Passengers rapturously received both his performances. Mrs Daniels said: 'It was another fantastic visit and we are delighted. 'The mayor and the town crier were, as always, very popular with the passengers, and the TIC representatives worked incredibly hard to answer all the queries passengers had. 'The clear message we have received this year is our welcome is just what ships want and it makes them more likely to visit again. 'At the end of our first season as a cruise ship group, this was the perfect closure. Very encouragingly, passengers were in the town, spending money in local businesses, and we heard lots of them say they loved the shops in town. We had many reports of their appreciation about, as they charmingly called it, our "city". 'We have so much to be proud of. This is the start of a long process to build Dart Harbour into a destination that consistently attracts the very best cruise ships and passengers. 'We know we are doing the right things to welcome ships and this can only help us achieve our long-term aims. 'Thanks go to everyone in the town who has helped and supported us this season. We look forward to doing it all again next year.'