Millions of pounds in cruise ship revenue is being lost by businesses in Cornwall as companies operating mega cruise ships continue to turn their backs on the port, says the Packet's In Port expert David Barnicoat.

Last month it was reported that Princess Cruises had given Falmouth the thumbs down for 2014.

Now the company has just announced its Europe Cruise programme for 2015 and Falmouth once again does not feature in any of the destinations. Princess, one of the world’s top cruise companies is bypassing the port for a second year in succession.

"This disappointing economic news must surely be a wake-up call for the town, tourist destinations in Cornwall and local MPs. All should rally behind the Falmouth Harbour Commissioners and A&P Falmouth to lobby the Government over delays on decisions by the Marine Management Organisation regarding the capital dredging scheme.

"Bruce Krumrine vice-president of shore operations for Princess Cruises, is known to strongly favour Falmouth as a cruise destination, but with tendering passengers ashore the only option the tide has turned against the port as far as mega cruise ships are concerned."

The port will not welcome Princess ships on their trans-Atlantic re-positioning cruises or on other UK cruises next year.

Princess will offer more British Isles capacity in 2015, with the 141,000-ton Royal Princess returning to Southampton to sail on 12-day British Isles itineraries. Ocean Princess sails from Dover on three unique, eight-day departures. Dublin, Cobh and Guernsey feature heavily in the company’s European cruises. Falmouth is only an overnight steaming distance from Cork, Dublin or Guernsey. If Falmouth had a deep water, alongside cruise berth the Royal Princess could berth allowing her 3,500 passengers ashore.

The 2015 series of Round Britain cruises by Royal Princess had the potential to boost passenger numbers for the town by 25,000 if the port was included in the cruise itineraries.

The latest Princess programme features six ships sailing on 150 departures of 45 itineraries to more than 120 ports.