But companies like Fred Olsen and Thompson Cruises have long complained about the state of Langton Dock – currently the only place on the Mersey where ships can start and end their voyages.

Located in the heart of the city’s industrial docks in Bootle, passengers have been greeted with a towering scrapheap when using Langton Dock.

Ian Pollitt, development surveyor for Peel, said the company was trying to find solutions to cruise liner companies having to use Langton Dock.

"What we are looking at now is a half-way house. Rather than lose the business, we are talking about relocating it to the Pier Head."

It is hoped the plan would avoid the need for any grants to be paid back as it would only be a temporary move.

Once Peel's terminal had opened, the cruise liners would return to a base further up the river.

Peel's terminal is already fully designed and located near the proposed 60-storey Shanghai Tower in the Liverpool Waters Scheme.

The tower would be built on the west side of the Princes Half Tide Dock off Waterloo Road with the cruise terminal nearby on the banks of the river.

The company has been speaking about their plans at this week’s MIPIM development conference in Cannes on the French Riviera where the City of Liverpool has hosted a stand.