Irish ports will have their busiest ever cruise ship season in 2017 with over 300 vessels scheduled to visit ports and harbours around the country, writes John Daly.

The first cruise ship of the season will arrive in Cork tomorrow, with a further 64 ships, containing 160,000 passengers and crew, set to follow in her wake.

A massive late-summer tourism boost is on the cards for Cork today with three cruise liners, carrying 6,500 passengers, scheduled to arrive in the harbour.

The world’s largest cruise ship was kept in port for intensive cleaning after a second outbreak of gastrointestinal illness in two voyages made 108 people ill.