Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, the UK based destinational operator of four medium sized cruise ships, will offer two return crossings to Canada from Liverpool in the north west of England in 2015, the Liverpool Echo daily said on its website.

The 28,000 gross on Black Watch will make a 28-night “Cities & Landscapes of Canada” cruise that will depart Liverpool on 22 May, making a mid-Atlantic call at the Azores, port-hopping along the Canadian coast and transiting the St Lawrence River far inland to Quebec and Montreal. Fares start from £2,999 per person for the voyage and rise to £5,499 for a premier cabin with balcony or suite.

The cruise liner will also run a shorter 16-night traditional Canadian experience on 14 August, from Liverpool called the “Rugged & Rural Canada” cruise. This late summer cruise visits three eastern Canadian provinces but does not enter the St Lawrence River. Fares range from £1,699 to £3,199 per person. Both cruises can be booked from next Monday (Mar 24).

"These will be the first direct sailings to Canada since Canadian Pacific’s flagship SS Empress of Canada closed ocean liner services from her Liverpool homeport 43 years ago," the paper said. Empress of Canada sailed as such for only 12 years - 1961-72 - but became well known as Mardi Gras of Carnival Cruise Lines.

Earlier, Cunard Line announced a voyage from Liverpool to Halifax and Boston in July to commemorate the company's foundation in Liverpool in 1840. The cabins reserved for passengers boarding the 2,620 berth Queen Mary 2 in Liverpool quickly sold out.

Liverpool is panning to replace a current, temporary cruise terminal with a permanent one by converting the Cunard Building on the famous Pier Head waterfront for this purpose. It is scheduled to open in 2015.