THE port of Southampton has just enjoyed its busiest ever weekend with a record-breaking 15 cruise ships arriving and departing between Friday and Sunday.

It is widely accepted that every time a cruise ship docks the turnaround is worth £1m to the local economy.

Port owners ABP estimated that around 60,000 passengers embarked or disembarked over the weekend.

The ships were: Silver Whisper, Silver Explorer, Marina, Norwegian Jade, Aurora, Ventura, Britannia, Azura, Crown Princess, Navigator of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Seven Seas Explorer, Queen Victoria,Celebrity Eclipse and Braemar.

Port director Alastair Welch, said: “It was the busiest cruise weekend the port has ever experienced. Alongside the 15 cruise ships, we also had ro-ro vessels and container ships accessing the port too.

“It really is a team effort that ensures the ships arrive and depart safely.

“With the trend for cruise travel on an upward curve, we are likely to see more weekends like this in the future.”

Port terminal operators SCH and sister company Cruise and Passenger Services (CPS) said they enjoyed their busiest ever weekend and were involved in 13 of the 15 ship movements.

Stevedores SCH and valet cruise parking specialists CPS had more than 600 jobs allocated across the the three-day period.

Maureen Frost, chief executive of Hampshire Chamber of Commerce said that the area must capitalise on the growing number of visitors brought here by the cruise industry.

“It is important that Southampton capitalises on the opportunities arising from then significant number of passengers not just on stopovers but also those who may arrive a few days before their departure highlighting the many things that the city and surrounding area has to offer,” she said.

Seven Seas Explorer, dubbed the most luxurious cruise ship afloat, was making her first visit to the UK.

Enjoying a VIP tour of the opulent vessel was the lucky winner of an Echo competition run in conjunction with the cruise line Regent.

Rachel Bateman and her guest, Lee Duigban, were shown around the ship and treated to a three-course lunch with Champagne.