Nairobi — It took extraordinary measures to convince American tourists on a cruise ship to call at Mombasa after the post-election crisis saw many vessels give the port a wide berth, the Nation has learnt.

A tour operator was forced to fly in security experts from the American government and vessel representatives to ascertain that the security of the 1,100 passengers, including crew, was assured.

It was only after American security declared that it was safe to dock at the port and that security concerns were misplaced did the cruise vessel Prinsendam call at Mombasa Port on Monday.

Cruise director Thom Faulkner said they had learnt that the security concerns in Kenya were mainly internal.

"We are excited to be in Kenya and have learnt that the security concerns were mainly internal and did not affect visitors to the country," he said.

Following the security assurances, most passengers will tour the town and visit parks before they leave.

Security has also been beefed up in the areas they are expected to visit.

The vessel, with mostly pensioners, also has on board tourists from Canada, Holland and a Zimbabwean.

Abercrombie and Kent general manager Anthony Mwangi said this was the last cruise vessel for this season and the next ships were expected in October, when the new cruise season.

The ailing tourism industry has received a major boost in the last two weeks with the visit of mv Prinsendam and an Italian vessel, mv Melody. The mv Melody, a luxurious cruise ship, docked in Mombasa with 650 tourists and 500 crew members for a one-day visit.

The ship was making its maiden call in Mombasa with tourists from Italy, Germany, Britain, France, Australia and South Africa.