Harwich International Port has announced a busy cruise season for 2014 with a total of 43 cruise ship calls expected at the Essex port.

Costa Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Thomson Cruises and Voyages of Discovery are among the operators including the port in their schedules.

And they will joined by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines which is returning to Harwich this year, with the inaugural call of its 23,000-ton, 929-passenger vessel Braemar on May 13 followed by three further turnaround calls in May and June.

Saga Cruises, Noble Caledonia and AIDA Cruises also feature in this year’s schedule.

Clemence Cheng, chief executive of Hutchison Ports (UK), which includes Harwich International, said: “Ever-increasing numbers of cruise lines are choosing Harwich as their port of call.

“Its excellent transport links to Cambridge and London, and its proximity to Constable Country and historic Harwich, offers visitors an array of things to see and do,” he added.

“Continuous investment in passenger facilities and services keep Harwich International Port the passengers’, as well as the cruise operators’, port of choice.”