By
Rebecca Gibson |
Liverpool Cruise Terminal in the UK is set for a record-breaking cruise season in 2019.
The port is scheduled to welcome 86 ships carrying 165,000 passengers and crew members, which is predicted to generate around £12 million (US$15.7 million) for the local economy. This marks a significant rise from 2018 when it hosted 57 cruise vessels and around 100,000 people, which brought in around £7 million.
“Last year was an amazing one for us where we really secured Liverpool’s place as a major player and one of the best cruise ship destinations in Europe,” said Peter Murney, head of Cruise and Marine Operations at Cruise Liverpool. “It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team that even more fantastic vessels will be heading our way in 2019 and we’re looking forward to giving them all a great Liverpool welcome.”
Costa Cruises’ Costa Mediterranea will kick off the 2019 season when she makes her maiden call on 12 April. Ten other ships will also visit Liverpool for the first time this year, including Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Reflection, Viking Cruises’ Viking Jupiter and Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Spirit, which will call three times.
Other highlights will include the fifth return call from Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Magic on 13 September, as well as visits from Cunard’s Queen Victoria on 12 June and 19 August, and Queen Mary 2 on 16 July.
“Last year was a record-breaker for the Liverpool Cruise Terminal and this year promises to be even bigger and better,” said Wendy Simon, Deputy Mayor for Liverpool City Council and Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Events. “Liverpool is a truly unique destination, with a breathtakingly beautiful waterfront, a city centre steeped in heritage, a history of sporting excellence and a year-long cultural programme that is second-to-none. It is the expertise and professionalism of our cruise terminal team that keeps the ships coming back and I am sure many of us will be at the waterfront to marvel these majestic vessels as they sail into Liverpool.”