The cruise ship season at the Port of Cork is to have a surge in the number of vessels accommodated this year with a rise by 23% to 116 vessels.

Starting in April, the season will run up to November and the majority of cruise ships that will arive in Cork Harbour will be berthed at the port's dedicated deepwater cruise berth in Cobh.

Among the operators, will be Celebrity, Saga and Princess Cruises.

Opening the season will be MS Sirena, operated by Oceania Cruises, which sees the 850 passenger ship scheduled to arrive in Cork Harbour on 1 April and from then a further 100 plus callers are to visit the port.

Of the biggest cruise ship caller of the season, this is expected to be the MSC Virtuosa, with a length overall (LOA) of 331m and a guest capacity carrying almost 8,000 passengers and crew.

Last year, 94 cruise ships called to Cork along with 180,000 passengers that visited the region. In the previous year, Afloat reported the 1,200 passenger Ambience of the UK based Ambassador Cruise Line, an operator which made its Irish debut to Cork and is to return this season in May as can be consulted with the Port of Cork's cruise-call list. 

Further coverage from the Irish Examiner on the cruise-sector surge.