Irish travel agents will have a dedicated ship to sell when Celebrity Cruises becomes the first major cruise line base a ship in Dublin.

One of the line’s 2,800-plus passenger Solstice-class vessels will run five sailings from the Irish capital’s port between April and June 2018.

Itineraries will run throughout northern Europe with details to be announced later in the year.

The line expects to attract more than 14,000 passengers to the Dublin sailings.

The move is estimated to be worth almost €6 million to Dublin and the surrounding area in knock-on economic benefits.

Celebrity Cruises already features Dublin and other ports throughout Ireland in its European deployment.

However this is the most significant increase in its investment into Ireland in the history of the global business.

UK and Ireland managing director Jo Rzymowska said: “Celebrity Cruises has enjoyed significant support from our travel agent partners and guests throughout Ireland for many years.

“Now we are saying thank you by basing one of the flagships of our fleet in Dublin for a mini season during early summer 2018.

“We know that our guests from around the world, and in Ireland, will love the warm welcome they receive when starting a holiday in Dublin.

“Calling Dublin home in 2018 is a major development to our European deployment.”

Dublin Port has hosted more than 180,000 cruise visitors on over 100 cruise ship calls this year, including four turnarounds where the ship begins its sailing and guests embark.

Head of corporate services Pat Ward said: “It has been a clear ambition of Dublin Port to attract a cruise line to offer our great city as a homeport.

“Today, that ambition is realised and Celebrity Cruises will be an important step-change in our history.

“The opportunities that this new investment will bring are extensive. We look forward to maximising this new platform for growth and welcoming yet more cruise ships and holidaymakers to Dublin for the first time.”