#FestiveMiniCruises – Boudicca (1973/28,551grt) of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has this evening departed Dublin Port on a 2 night mini-cruise for Irish passengers bound for Liverpool, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The cruise which departed Ocean Pier is one of several festive 'taster' Irish Sea cruises before Christmas.

Fred Olsen, the four-star operator is offering a choice of 1, 2 and 3 night cruises to attract the Irish market as well as the UK.

Last night, Boudicca departed Liverpool's Cruise Terminal to Dublin to where passengers experienced the Irish capital before embarking this evening with Irish passengers to Merseyside.

The other cruises will have an intinerary to include Belfast, Cork (Cobh) and Liverpool plus en route calls to Dublin to collect Irish guests.