THE British-owned cruise ship Aegean Odyssey visited Dartmouth on Thursday as part of its first voyage in UK waters. And a return visit is planned next year.
She is the largest cruise ship arriving this season and the only ship belonging to Voyages to Antiquity.
Dartmouth deputy mayor Cllr Richard Cooke, accompanied by town sergeant Ron Lambden, were welcomed on board for an official reception where a town plaque was presented to captain Panagiotis Giakoumatos.
He presented a silver plated salver to the town on behalf of the visiting cruise ship.
Aegean Odyssey arrived in port from Falmouth around 7.30am where she berthed on the mainstream moorings and departed later in the day a little before 6pm.
Her operators, Voyages to Antiquity has formerly concentrated on cruises around the Mediterranean. This year marks a departure to this philosophy due to a growing trend for UK cruises.
Dart Harbour cruise ship co-ordinator Tricia Daniels said: ‘As the name suggests, the company specialises in visits to the classical areas of the Mediterranean so it is unusual to see the ship in UK waters. We’re delighted the ship has chosen Dartmouth as part of its inaugural UK visit.’
The ship has capacity for 340 guests and was carrying 270 passengers - 200 of whom were repeat travellers. They where from the UK, USA, Australia, Canada and a few from South Africa.
The 15-day cruise, from Seville in Spain to Dover, is highlighting Christianity in the history of Europe and passengers visited Buckfast Abbey and Slapton Sands before departing for Honfleur in France.
They were met on the Dartmouth quayside by town crier Lez Ellis and his wife Liz before embarking on their itineraries.
Michelle Daniels, partnerships manager of Voyages to Antiquity, said: ‘We have quite a high demand from our overseas passengers for quintessentially British ports and harbours and Dartmouth is certainly one of those.
‘For 2017 we have launched an exciting new programme introducing 30 brand new ports of call and our first ever ex-UK cruise programme offering no-fly cruises to the West of England, the Highlands and islands of Scotland and Iceland taking in some of the natural wonders of the world.
‘Aegean Odyssey will be calling back in to Dartmouth on June 27, 2017, as part of a 15 day Iberia, France and England cruise departing Seville on June 17, 2017.’
Voyages to Antiquity was founded in 2009 and the first cruise programme launched in 2010 with the Aegean Odyssey
‘Our ethos is to bring enrichment and fulfilment to those travelling on our small ship cruises, combining top class service, meticulously planned itineraries and expert guest lecture programme which explores the very best historic, gastronomic and cultural destination in Europe,’ added Michelle.