A historic visit to the port of Milford Haven has been cancelled due to weather conditions.

P&O cruise liner, Artemis, was due to dock at Milford tomorrow (Wednesday) it was to be the first P&O cruise liner to visit the port and the first time the company had docked in any Welsh Port.

The 44,348 tonne vessel was due to bring up to 1260 passengers and 520 crew members to Milford Haven.

In another P&O first the vessel was due to be come into port with a female captain, Sarah Breton, at the helm.

Speaking in April this year cruise and event co-ordinator Sue Blanchard-Williams, of Milford Haven Port Authority, called the visit “a wonderful breakthrough for Milford Haven”.

“For the port authority to host her coming into the haven, during her 11-day cruise will be very exciting,” she said.

“I have been working tirelessly for more than four years to increase the number of vessels into the haven with great results, six vessels this year and already eight confirmed for 2011.”

Milford Haven mayor, Councillor Tony Eden said he hoped that P&O liners coming into the town would be the start of an exciting new era.

The Met office has forecast heavy rain and winds of up to 24mph and poor visibility for tomorrow afternoon. It has said there is a moderate risk of severe weather in Pembrokeshire.

A spokesman for Milford Haven Port Authority said: “The cruise ship Artemis, which was scheduled to visit Milford Haven tomorrow will be unable to make the call due to weather conditions.

“ P & O are deeply saddened they will not be able to make this call.”