A luxury boutique cruise ship is visiting Pembrokeshire for the last time this summer, marking a decade-long relationship and offering its passengers a unique and literal taste of Welsh life.
The MV Corinthian, owned by Grand Circle Cruise Line (GCCL) has berthed in Fishguard Harbour today, Thursday September 17..
Unlike larger cruise ships that anchor out in the bay and ferry passengers ashore, the MV Corinthian, due to its smaller size, can dock directly in the harbour.
This allows passengers to embark and disembark via gangplank.
The ship, built in Italy in 1990, has a capacity for around 100 passengers in its 49 outside-facing cabins.
The small, ice-strengthened expedition-style cruise ship, operated by Grand Circle Cruise Line, is designed for intimate coastal and cultural voyages rather than mass-market cruising.
The ship also features a restaurant, two lounges, lift access to passenger decks, and onboard Wi-Fi.
The ship has a capacity for around 100 passengers in 49 outside-facing cabins.
Before their arrival, passengers are briefed about their itinerary in Fishguard and Goodwick, including an opportunity to experience a unique 'home host' experience.
This allows them to visit a local home for 90 minutes for a light lunch, giving them a chance to learn more about life in the locality.
The ship's mainly American passengers are welcomed aboard by members of the Fishguard Bay Welcome (FBW) team and 'Jemima Nicholas', who is dressed in full Welsh costume.
The passengers are then greeted by the volunteer Fishguard Friendly Faces as they disembark the ship to their excursion coaches.
The MV Corinthian is scheduled to be in port from 9am to 7pm, as part of her cruise around the British Isles.
While ashore, some passengers will enjoy trips to St Davids and the Fishguard Tapestry, as well as visiting their home hosts for lunch.
Fishguard is the only place on the UK tour that offers this experience and it is a very popular part of the cruise.
In the town, guests will also enjoy visits to The Last Invasion Tapestry, a colourful artwork telling of Fishguard’s role in the Last Invasion of Britain in 1797, as well as Ein Hanes local history museum.
Passengers will also have the chance to visit Fishguard’s Thursday market, which boasts two butchers’ stalls, a wet fish stall, flowers, cakes, cheese, eggs, and bread, as well as crafts, candles, honey, and fermented goods.
Cruise passengers also visit the town’s shops, cafes, and pubs, with locals commenting on how nice it is to see the town busy and buzzing.
The MV Corinthian is a familiar sight in Fishguard, having been visiting almost since the start of Fishguard Bay Welcome.
This is her third visit to Fishguard this summer, as part of two dozen cruise ship visits scheduled to bring their passengers to Fishguard, Goodwick, and beyond this summer.
The season began on April 19 with a visit from La Laperouse. Today's Corinthian visit is the penultimate cruise visit, with the season due to conclude on September 30 as the World Voyager berths for the day.
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