THE 2016 cruise season at the Port of Milford Haven gets underway next week with two ships booked to visit Pembrokeshire.

Silver Explorer, operated by Silversea Cruises, is due at Pembroke Port on Wednesday, May 11.

The vessel is 108m in length, weighing 6,130 tonnes and can accommodate 150 passengers.

She will arrive from the Isles of Scilly at around 7am and leave at 1pm for a short stop at Skomer Island before heading to Dublin.

Six days later, on Tuesday, May 17, the Hapag Lloyd Cruises vessel Europa will arrive in Milford Haven as part of a two week cruise from Hamburg to Kiel.

The passengers will have the option of travelling to St Davids, Pembroke Castle, Upton Castle Gardens and Tenby, as well as a coastal walk.

Europa is due to arrive from Avonmouth at 7am and depart for Cobh in Ireland at 6pm. The vessel is 198.6m in length, weighs 28,890 tonnes and can carry 450 passengers.

Natalie Britton, Director of Port Operations at Pembroke and Milford Docks, said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming cruise passengers and crew to the county and launching the 2016 season.

"As well as the range of excursions that the visitors can book onto, there is also plenty to see and do in Milford Haven such as visiting the museum, dining at one of the cafes and restaurants and shopping in the various stores. "Our team is ready to provide a warm welcome to the Port.”

A list of cruise call dates for 2016 can be viewed online at www.mhpa.co.uk/cruise-calls.