SCORES of German tourists were today heading home after an enjoyable stop in Ipswich as part of a two-week cruise.

SCORES of German tourists were today heading home after an enjoyable stop in Ipswich as part of a two-week cruise.

The MS Hanseatic arrived at Cliff Quay, Ipswich, yesterday from St Peter Port in Guernsey and passengers spent the day sightseeing around the region.

A shuttle bus was used to ferry passengers either into town or to Essex as soon as the ship-which holds 180 passengers-docked at 8am.

Those staying in Ipswich had the option of going to Christchurch Mansion, Ipswich Museum, or having a look around the town centre.

The ship left Germany two weeks ago and has visited a number of locations in the UK and Ireland, including Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Belfast and Dublin.

The cruise was due to finish today at the Kiel Canal, Germany.

David Stainer, tourism manager at Ipswich Borough Council, said: “It is a relatively small ship so it could come up the river to Ipswich.

“It was good because we were able to offer the passengers some variety. The Ipswich Museum opened especially which was very good, and staff from the tourist information office were at the quay to welcome them when they arrived.

“They all had a good time. One of the nicest things was the weather. This was the best weather they had had-good old sunny Ipswich!

“We are speaking with the cruise company about organising this sort of thing again.”