UK port will welcome almost 40,000 international passengers and 25 cruise ships in June and July
By
Elizabeth Robinson |
Liverpool in the UK is expecting to welcome 25 different vessels carrying 37,317 international passengers and 17,348 crew members during a record-breaking summer season this year.
Highlights of the summer season will include Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Eclipse returning for an overnight call on 12-13 June and Princess Cruises’ Royal Princess will also return on 10 June for the first time since 2015.
Cunard Line’s Queen Elizabeth is also due to return on 23 July. Her visit will coincide with the 80th anniversary of the launch Cunard’s RMS Mauretania II from Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead, near Liverpool.
“The next two months will be our busiest ever at Cruise Liverpool, and we can’t wait for visitors and crew to experience our amazing city and everything that it has to offer,” said Pete Murney, Liverpool’s cruise and operations manager.
To capitalise on the recent record growth in cruise traffic, Liverpool City Council has commissioned a new permanent cruise facility, which will replace the existing Princes Jetty. The first phase of the construction of began in May and the new facility will to handle turnaround calls from some of the world’s biggest cruise ships.
“A total of 25 ships in two months is incredible, as a city we are very proud to be the home of passenger shipping and are exceptionally excited to welcome so many visitors to the city,” said Wendy Simon, deputy mayor and cabinet member for culture, tourism and events in Liverpool. “It forms a solid basis for our exciting plans for the new cruise liner terminal which are rapidly taking shape.”