#FarewellEMER – L.E. Emer (P21) the oldest member of the eight-strong Naval Service fleet is to make her final scheduled visit to Dun Laoghaire Harbour tomorrow, writes Jehan Ashmore.

As previously reported, L.E. Emer is making her final patrol before she de-commissioning on 20 September. The offshore patrol vessel (OPV) will go for sell unless previously sold at a public auction to be held on 23 October. A sister, L.E. Aoife (P22) will likewise be disposed a year later.

Tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon L.E. Emer will be open to public tours while she is berthed alongside the Carlisle Pier. As previously reported the five-masted cruiseship Wind Surf is today docked at this same pier having sailed from Portrush via the Isle of Man.

Potential interest for the naval vessels could include the conversion of the ships for the superyacht market or use for the offshore energy supply sector or a research vessel.

They are to be replaced by a pair of larger 'Roisin' class OPV's currently under construction by Babcock Marine in Appledore, north Devon.

L.E. Emer was completed in 1978 followed by L.E. Aoife in 1980 at the Verolme Cork Dockyard (V.C.D.). Also launched from the shipyard in Rushbrooke near Cobh, the youngest sister L.E. Aisling (P23) which will remain in service.

As leadship of a trio of 'Emer' class Coastal Patrol Vessels (CPV) the series however in more recent years were re-classified as Offshore Patrol Vessels.

They are an improved version of L.E. Deirdre (P20) which was the first custom-built vessel for the Naval Service when launched from V.C.D. in 1972. She was de-commissioned in 2001 and sold for €190,000 and converted into a luxury yacht.

#SeaFrontTours–The final Seafront Memorials Tour of the season ends this Sunday (1 September) in Dun Laoghaire Harbour and from where the waterfront is lined with historical landmarks.

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council which organises the free historical tours that have been running for six years as part of the Summer of Heritage Programme.

The free 1-hour tour starting at 11.30am covers coastal memorials to include the Queen Victoria Fountain, George IV Memorial, the mailboat R.M.S. Leinster's anchor, the Crimean War Cannon and the 1895 Lifeboat Disaster.

Tours start at the Queen Victoria Fountain (close to DART station) in Dún Laoghaire and the maximum number of people for each tour is 20 persons.

The outdoor event is also wheelchair accessible. No pre-booking is required and places are limited so it is advisable to turn up early.

For information Tel: (01) 204 7011 or visit www.dlrevents.ie/heritage2013.html

#QueenElizabeth – Queen Elizabeth's maiden visit off Dun Laoghaire Harbour today presented a wonderful sight, not to mention her impressive and sumptuous art-deco style interiors which pay homage to the legendary 1930's Cunard Ocean Liner RMS Queen Elizabeth, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The 'Vista' class 90,901 tonnes cruiseship, is the newest of the Cunard Line fleet and she was commissioned in 2010 and named by Queen Elizabeth II in Southampton. A portrait of the monarch by Isobel Peachey hangs in the splendid foyer of the Grand Lobby.

Captain C. Wells has command of the vessel with 2,040 guests which is close to her capacity of 2,100 passengers and almost 1,000 crew members. On the cruise of British and Irish ports which set off from Southampton at the end of July, the majority of the guests are from the UK and United States in addition to around 150 Germans who boarded in Hamburg.

Her guests can expect high standards with the history and pedigree of Cunard Line and among the features on Queen Elizabeth are the Grand Lobby with its magnificent mural of her 1930's predecessor. There are  eight restaurants, two theatres, three swimming pools and a games deck, together with a large spa and fitness centre, shopping arcade, libraries, bars, cafés, and a casino.

The library with 7,000 books is the second largest floating library in the world after Queen Mary 2 and there's also an art gallery with paintings by Irish artist Philip Gray. In addition to those who fancy a cigar one can decline to the intimate wood-panelled surroundings of Churchill's Lounge sited high above the seas.

The Queen's Room Photo: Jehan Ashmore

The Grand Lobby Photo: Jehan Ashmore

In essence the cruiseship exudes luxury that respects the golden day era of liners whilst also combining the many wonderful modern day comforts to which cruise-goers also demand.

Queen Elizabeth is due to weigh anchor 21.00hrs this evening and after a day spent at sea her next port of call is St. Peter Port, Guernsey before her return to Southampton

#cruiseliner – Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company (DLHC) is seeking to build a new quay inside the east coast harbour to facilitate to cater for a growing number of cruise liners calling to the capital's waters.

DLHC announced this morning it is working with the Dún Laoghaire Cruise Stakeholder Group to 'engage in an energetic marketing campaign to enable Dún Laoghaire to tap into the lucrative cruise market' coming to Dublin Bay.

Nearby Dublin Port handles the vast bulk of cruise liner traffic into Dublin and it also has plans to develop Dublin Harbour to cater for the massive vessels. In 2011, it announced plans for a new cruise terminal at the city centre port.

As part of the Stakeholder Group work, Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company has initiated a pre-application consultation with An Bord Pleanála under Section 37 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, in regard to proposals for the construction of a new quay in Dún Laoghaire Harbour to cater for vessels of up to c.340m long. This, says DLHC, will ensure that the harbour is also capable of catering for the 'new generation' of larger cruise vessels.

#CruiseAnchorage - P&O Cruises Oriana anchored this morning off Dun Laoghaire Harbour and marks another visit of the famous company following fleetmate Arcadia which called earlier this month, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Oriana with a capacity for almost 2,000 passengers was completed in 1995 and the Bermuda-flagged 69,840 tonnes cruiseship had sailed overnight through the Irish Sea under the command of Captain D. Pembridge who has charge of the adults-only cruiseship.

The gloriously favourable weather conditions which saw passengers swimming during Arcadia's visit has somewhat diminished, however Oriana still offers a choice of three pools and four whirpool spas.

Guests can also avail of the many on board facilities and after taking an excursion ashore to Dun Laoghaire Harbour or trips to the capital and the neighbouring countryside, an appetite will invariably build-up. One option is The Marco Pierre White Ocean Grill restaurant situated in the sumptuous surroundings of the Curzon Room.

#WindSURF – As the five-masted Wind Surf departed Dun Laoghaire Harbour yesterday evening she began setting her sails, in stark contrast to her sister Club Med 2 as previously reported which presented only a forest of masts, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Firstly the foresail was raised as the 162m/535ft Wind Surf approached the harbour mouth and in quick succession the remaining sails where set using a self-unfurling computer-operated system from the masts that each tower 50m/164ft high. There are seven triangular sails totalling 2,600sq.m/26,881sq.feet

On board the 14,745 tonnes former Club Med I where new guests numbering 300 who had embarked in Dun Laoghaire Harbour at the Carlisle Pier. Wind Surf was making a turnaround port of call having arrived in the morning to dis-embark 280 passengers from a cruise starting in Portsmouth. Today the vessel is berthed in Belfast as part of a 7-day Gaelic Explorer cruise.

The awarding winning Wind Surf is the largest vessel in the five-strong Windstar Cruises and she launched in 1998 for then owners Club Med at a shipyard in Le Havre. She has luxurious amenities for 312 guests and with a crew of 191 that operates cruises mostly in the Mediterranean and Caribbean.

#P&OCruises – Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company welcomed today the mid-sized cruiseship Arcadia (83,500 tonnes) under the command of Captain S C Breton, who is the first female to take this position for P&O Cruises, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Arcadia had departed her homeport of Southampton on Sunday and spent a leisurely passage before arrival this morning in glassy flat-calm seas and weather conditions more akin to the Mediterranean.

Passengers swam on board two of the ships outdoor swimming pools while the 285m long cruiseship was anchored motionless in the strong blue seas of Dublin Bay.

Enjoying the weather are more than 1,900 passengers from the UK and a sprinkling of other nationalities. Eighty per cent of her guests will be taking tenders ashore to visit Dun Laoghaire or excursions into the capital and the neighbouring Wicklow mountains.

The 2005 built exclusively adult-only cruiseship will be departing around teatime this evening on the 900 nautical mile passage to the Icelandic capital Reykjavik. After visiting two more ports in Iceland as part of the 14-night cruise Arcadia heads across the North Sea with calls to Norway before returning to the familar Southampton Waters.

In recognition of the Arcadia's maiden call, presentation ceremonies took place on board between Captain Breton and Don McManus, Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company (DLHC) board member and Chairman of Dun Laoghaire Business Association and Cathaoirleach Carrie Smyth of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. Also in attendence was David Dingle, CEO of Carnival Corporation (UK).

The cruise liner sector is a growing business within the tourism industry and Dun Laoghaire Harbour is capitalising on such strengths and following the construction of the purpose-built cruise passenger tender pontoon.

The passenger pontoon facility caters for medium and large-scale cruiseships such as the Queen Mary 2 which made her historic first call in May which marked the start of the season with 14 cruise calls to the harbour in 2013.

Within the next two months, a further seven cruise vessels are scheduled to visit Dún Laoghaire Harbour including the five-masted Wind Surf, which is due to dock within the harbour walls.

One of two swimming pools on the Arcadia and during her anchorage call in Dublin Bay. Photo Jehan Ashmore

Pictured (L-R) James Brown Deputy Captain, Don McManus (DLHC) and Chairperson Dun Laoghaire Business Association, Captain S C Breton, Cathaoirleach Carrie Smyth of DLRCoCo, David Dingle CEO Carnival Corporation (UK) and Nicky Logue, Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel. Photo: Jehan Ashmore

#SeaFrontTours–This year's Seafront Memorials Tour season starts this Sunday (30 June) in Dun Laoghaire Harbour where the waterfront is lined with historical landmarks.

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council which organises the tours are delighted to announce the historical walks which are now in the sixth year of the Summer of Heritage Programme.

During its first five years Summer of Heritage has attracted over 20,000 visitors and been nominated for the Excellence in Local Government Award. This unique event opens up some of the County's finest heritage sites to the public free of charge.

Tim Carey, the Council's Heritage Officer, said, 'The idea of Summer of Heritage is to open people's eyes to what is on their doorstep. These are heritage sites that people may frequently pass as they go about their daily business but be completely unaware of their significance or its 'story'. This year we have expanded the programme considerably. With 15 different attractions Summer of Heritage is bigger and better than ever.'

The free 1-hour tour starting at 11.30am (held once every Sunday until 1 September) covers coastal memorials to include the Queen Victoria Fountain, George IV Memorial, the mailboat R.M.S. Leinster's anchor, the Crimean War Cannon and the 1895 Lifeboat Disaster.

Tours start at the Queen Victoria Fountain (close to DART station) in Dún Laoghaire and the maximum number of people for each tour is 20 persons.

The outdoor event is also wheelchair accessible. No pre-booking is required and places are limited so it is advisable to turn up early.

For information Tel: (01) 204 7011 or visit www.dlrevents.ie/heritage2013.html

#QM2Farewell– Queen Mary 2 under the command of master Kevin Oprey, weighed anchor in Dublin Bay yesterday evening after her historic maiden visit off Dun Laoghaire Harbour and from where a flotilla set out to take a final close-up view of the massive majestic liner, writes Jehan Ashmore.

She is certainly a vessel of superlatives, being the longest, tallest, widest and most expensive liner ever built, when launched in 2003. Among the facilities on the 14 deck liner are a 3D cinema and a planetarium.

Over 35 nationalities from every continent in the world including Ireland!... were represented among the passengers, with the majority coming from Germany (1,400) followed by the UK (760) and the US (200).

Today the liner is berthed at Liverpool Cruise Terminal. Her debut call to Dublin Bay is her third visit in Irish waters, following Cobh in 2011 and an anchorage call off Dunmore East, Waterford Estuary in 2005.

The QM2 had spent more than half a day in Dublin Bay while at anchorage with tenders kept busy plying to and fro to the passneger pontoon in the Coal Harbour while crowds of onlookers took to the seafront to view the impressive liner.

Her visit marked a significant milestone in the changing fortunes of Dun Laoghaire Harbour, as the Holyhead fast-ferry HSS Stena Explorer in recent years has reduced to a seasonal-only service. When introduced in 1996, the HSS fast-craft carried up to five round-trips daily.

To get a sense of the sheer size of the QM2 she is 72m high (keel to funnel) compared to the HSS fast-craft which is only 27.5m.

Anchor aweigh... starboard side of the liner. Photo Jehan Ashmore

The call by the famous Cunard Line 'flagship' is a major coup for Dun Laoghaire Harbour and the visit is estimated to generate a spend of €400,000 alone to the area.

Following the successful launch of the 2014 season by the QM2, the port also welcomed yesterday the small cruiseship Serenissima which docked within the harbour walls.

Over the next two months a further six cruise vessels are scheduled to visit, among them is P&O Cruises 710-passenger Adonia, which is due next week.

In total the port is to welcome be 14 callers bringing 30,000 passengers and generate an income of €3 million.

The cruising business is a growing market sector in the tourism industry and where Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company is to capitalise in this market with plans to develop a dedicated cruise terminal as part of the 'masterplan'.

The facility will be able to accommodate much larger cruiseships than present and with vessels up to 340m long.

#CruiseLiners – The dual serving liner and cruiseship Queen Mary 2 was not the only passenger vessel visiting Dublin Bay today, as the Serenissima docked within Dun Laoghaire Harbour and Artania called to Dublin Port, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The contrast could not be so diverse between the Dun Laoghaire cruise callers. The 2,620 passenger Cunard Line giant of 151,400 tonnes, making an impressive sight at anchorage (see web-cam) while Noble Caledonia's 2,500 tonnes Serenissima slipped into port berthing at Carlisle Pier. She had sailed overnight from Waterford and has accommodation for just over 100 passengers.

Serenissima is a former member of the Norwegian Hurtigruten Coastal Cruises fleet and her hull form and overall appearance certainly reflects her era. She was built in 1960 and launched as Harald Jarl serving a career along the many fjords of Norway.

As an exploration cruiseship she has also travelled to the other end of the world on cruises to the Antarctic under the name Andrea.

Also making a mid-May morning arrival albeit heading for Dublin Port was Phoenix Reisen Cruises Artania from Belfast.

The 44,500 tonnes Bermuda flagged vessel with a 1,200 passenger capacity was formerly launched for Princess Cruises as Royal Princess and christened by Diana, Princess of Wales.