DARTMOUTH has lost out on its second cruise ship visit of the season.

The town learned of the cancellation of the German vessel, Berlin, and her 400 passengers with less than 24 hours before her expected arrival yesterday.

Tricia Daniels, cruise group chairman and Dart Harbour cruise adviser, said: 'This is naturally a huge disappointment for everyone involved.'

She said the ship's captain Klaus Mewes and FTI cruises reluctantly came to the decision after the ship had been delayed elsewhere on Monday and Tuesday due to bad weather.

In order to get the ship back on track, it was decided to bypass two ports – including the half-day stop in Dartmouth, she said.

The blow to the town comes on the back of the cancellation of the MV Amadea in May, when bad weather forced her to divert into Torbay. Ms Daniels said: 'Having had two weather-related cancellations this season, makes the disappointment just palpable for all concerned.

'I have to stress that when a captain makes this type of decision, there is nothing that anyone locally can do to affect or change that situation. We are simply advised of the facts as a courtesy and that is the end of the matter.

'Sadly, it is just a fact of life that we, in the Dart Harbour Authority can spend an enormous amount of time and effort to encourage cruise companies to visit Dartmouth, but if the weather, or the results of weather, is against us, we can do nothing to right the situation.

'It is just something that can happen to any port, however frustrating and disappointing for the community.'

The cruise ship Sea Cloud II, with up to 94 passengers,?is still due to arrive next Friday.