Forget the clear blue waters of the Mediterranean.

If you’re thinking of taking a luxury cruise there’s a new destination you mustn’t miss…….Chatham.

In September, the 11,000-ton cruise ship Black Prince will be visiting Chatham as part of a 10-day cruise around the UK.

The 412 passengers are looked after by a crew of 250.

It is thought to be the first time any cruise liner has berthed in Chatham.

The ship will arrive early morning on Monday, September 14, and berth at Chatham Docks, when many of the 400-plus passengers will be taking sightseeing excursions to Canterbury and elsewhere. The ship will depart late the same evening.

It will be the final cruise by Black Prince, operated by Fred Olsen Lines, before the vessel is retired in October after 43 years’ service.

Why Chatham? With an overall length of 460 feet, Black Prince is a relatively small cruise liner compared to the latest vessels which are more than 1,000ft long and can accommodate nearly 5,000 passengers.

But she can reach places denied the bigger ships and hence the decision to bring her to Chatham, with it’s long maritime heritage.

There is also a suggestion, not officially confirmed, that a senior member of Fred Olsen Lines’ management has Royal Navay links and fondly remembers Chatham as a former naval base.

As far as is known, there’s no plan for further visits to Chatham by other cruise ships.

Black Prince will make a fine sight for spectators as she proceeds up the Medway to Chatham.

Many places around the UK have recognised that cruise ships can bring much prosperity to an area. Dover’s train ferry service closed in 1994, but the site was converted at a fairly modest cost to a cruise ship terminal now used by many cruise lines, bringing some 150 cruise liners with 200,000 passengers into the area.