A riverside location in Liverpool is being targeted as a new base from which cruise liners can start and finish their journeys.
According to the Liverpool Daily Post, the local council has approached the Department for Transport for permission to use the Pier Head as the base.
Approval is needed to exploit the cruise line terminal as the European Union stumped up £9 million to help with its development.
Liverpool's economy was boosted by an extra £1.3 million that was brought in by cruise passengers last year, with 14 ships calling in at the cruise liner terminal.
Enterprise and tourism leader Councillor Gary Millar told the publication: "Each cruise ship visit in 2008 can be considered successful, although operationally extremely challenging to deliver, due to restricted physical space on the shore side.
"The general consensus from cruise ships and passengers has been extremely positive regarding the destination and location of the cruise berth."
The Passenger Shipping Association recently indicated that holidaymakers could save a lot of hassle on their trips by boarding their
cruises from the UK.
Written by Chris Smith