Portsmouth International Port has released its initial cruise schedule for 2022, featuring several maiden calls over the next 12 months.

The schedule includes visits for the likes of AIDA, Poseidon Expeditions, Oceania Cruises, Seabourn, and Mystic Cruises.

Other highlights include the inaugural spring cruise season for Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady, along with calls from Viking Mars and Swan Hellenic’s Vega.

A terminal extension to accommodate an anticipated increase in cruise passengers is due to start in February 2022. Work is expected to be complete by spring 2023.

Portsmouth International Port passenger operations manager Andrew Williamson said: “We can’t wait to get started with the 2022 cruise season, as we begin to return to normality following the challenges the pandemic has brought to the entire travel industry.

“The team at the port has been working very hard behind the scenes to show the cruise industry what we and the city have to offer, and they like what they have seen, leading to a bumper number of maiden calls.

“With such an exciting range of luxury, boutique and expedition vessels visiting Portsmouth this year, we think this is the start of something special here at the port.”

Portsmouth City Council leader Gerald Vernon-Jackson added: “Portsmouth International Port is a vital economic driver for the city, which also makes a valuable contribution towards essential council services.

“As a city we’ve invested in the port, extending the cruise berth and supporting them with their development plans.

“The terminal extension will mean that not only do we have some of the best facilities around for cruise passengers, but also means that our existing ferry customers also have the room to grow.”