Solent Blue Line and Associated British Ports (ABP) will be hosting a free open top bus tour around Southampton’s famous working port from 10am-5pm this Sunday (April 23), to celebrate five cruise ships in port.

The tour will offer unparalleled views of the cruise ships, the Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth 2, Oceana and two Saga liners; the Sage Rose and Saga Ruby, on a fully commentated tour that shows a fascinating and different side to the city.

The free tours will be running from Mayflower Park from 10am and last approximately an hour with the last tour at 5pm, in addition the council will be hosting its free walking tour ‘pirates, perils and plots’ at 11:15am, 12:15midday, 2:15pm and 3:15pm.

Talking about the tours, Doug Morrison, ABP Director Southampton said: “We are delighted to be able to offer the public a chance to take a guided tour of the Port of Southampton. This will provide the chance to see the South Coast’s premier port in all its glory. We will have five cruise ships in port as well as other commercial shipping vessels, which will be of interest to all. The tours on 23 April are free but we would like to encourage visitors to make a small donation to Naomi House Hospice.”

Solent Blue Line, in conjunction with ABP, will also be providing fully commentated bus tours throughout the summer every weekend from April 29-September 1 and daily from May 30 to June 2 and July 24-September 1.

From Saturday, April 29, the tours will be running hourly, six times a day, from the railway station, civic centre and Bargate Street, offering an informative and fascinating view of one of the busiest working ports in the world. Costs are Ł5 per adult, Ł3 per child and Ł15 per group of five people.