#RepeatRecord- Galway Harbour Company are to repeat this year's record of 8 cruise callers for the 2015 season, though the total passenger capacity will be down by more than 1,600 visitors, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Afloat.ie has calculated that the passenger capacity for this year was 6,032 passengers . If all 8 cruiseships are booked to full capacity for the 2015 season, the combined total would reach 4,381 passengers.

Galway Bay will see seven operators in 2015 as Companie du Ponant will be bringing two cruiseships out of the eight cruiseships scheduled in total to visit the mid-west city.

The French operators 264 guest Le Boreal will open the season in May. In design terms she resembles an ultra large megayacht like cruiseship.

Likewise Le Soleal, a sistership is to make an anchorage appearance off the City of the Tribes also that same month, albeit preceded by an interim call by the 264-passenger Amadea.

The Japanese built vessel is marketed for German clientele by operator Phoenix-Reisen.

A fourth and final caller during May will be the visit of Portuguese veteran, Funchal operated by Empresa Insulana de Navegaca.

The remaining four callers are scheduled to visit throughout the season which runs to August.