Moving away from its navy roots into commercial waters, Portland Harbour recently welcomed its largest cruise ship to date, the MS Westerdam.

Known for serving as a navy dockyard for up to 150 years, Portland Harbour recently developed contracts with several international cruise liners including, Crystal Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Phoenix Reisen and Cruise and Maritime Voyages to increase its commercial attraction, local media reported.

The harbour has witnessed the fruits of its marketing labour with figures showing an increase from 2000 day trip cruise visitors in 2009 to 10 000 in 2010.

Portland Harbour is currently in talks to develop relationships with the market’s strongest countries Germany and the United States.

Portland Harbour has fast sea access to the English Channel, as well as being closely placed by Britain’s inland attractions including Stonehenge and Portland Castle.

MS Westerdam is owned by Holland America Line and is “a Vista Class cruise ship [with] a gross tonnage of 82 500, 11 passengers decks and is capable of travelling at 24 knots”.