Poole’s aspiration to become a port of call for small cruise ships has taken a step forward.

Cruise operator Noble Caledonia has scheduled two “Gardens by the Sea” cruises to set off from Poole, heading to Jersey and Guernsey then on to the Isles of Scilly, the Cornish coastline and County Waterford in Ire-land.

The MS Quest is a small ship accommodating a maximum of 50 passengers, allowing it to explore places inaccessible to larger craft.

After successful seasons in Scotland, this year the vessel is being brought south for cruises around England, Ireland and Wales for the first time and the 10-day cruise in May costs from £3,295.

“We chose Poole as it is the perfect location for this scheduled cruise, being in close proximity to the smaller islands off the south coast of England which our expedition ships can explore,” said Paul Mildon at Noble Caledonia.

“The facilities lend themselves to ships of this size and we know we will be well looked after whilst we are there.”

Jim Stewart, chief executive of Poole Harbour Commissioners said: “It is wonderful that Poole Harbour has attracted this kind of cruise business and we hope it bodes well for more to come.

“To sustain the Port of Poole we need to encourage more of this activity as well as accommodate other routes for alternative income.

“There is so much change in our traditional ways of raising revenue that we have to be open minded for the future of the harbour.”