News / Another record cruise season
A RECORD number of cruise liners are scheduled to visit Lerwick harbour this summer, the year the port hosts the Tall Ships race for the second time.
Lerwick Port Authority said on Tuesday that 54 cruise ships have booked a berth at the UK’s northernmost destination, outstripping the previous record by six vessels.
The port expects last year’s record of 30,843 cruise passengers to be beaten, along with the gross tonnage record which collapses under the weight of 1.4 million gross tonnes, mostly accounted for by just 23 ships.
Another record will be set in the busiest month of June when two of the 16 visitors will be the biggest yet to enter the port – Crown Princess at 113,651 gross tonnes and the even bigger Costa Pacifica at 114,500 gross tonnes.
The port has been gearing itself up for an increase in cruise visitors, with a new welcome ashore pavilion opened at the tail end of last year’s season.
LPA deputy chief executive Victor Sandison said that cruise passengers played an increasingly important part in the local economy, spending in excess of £1 million over the summer.
“A recent study for Cruise Scotland highlighted the tremendous potential to further develop the country’s cruise market,” he said.
“Shetland’s many attractions and Lerwick’s modern facilities make us a prime destination, with a major contribution to make, as will be demonstrated again this year.”
The port works hard marketing itself around the world and will exhibit once again on the Cruise Scotland booth at Cruise Shipping Miami in March and Seatrade Europe, in Hamburg, in September.
This year’s season starts on 4 May with Quest and ends on 9 September with Discovery.
There will be six maiden calls, including Oceania Cruises’ new build Marina, P&O Cruises’ Arcadia and Kristina Cruises’ new flagship, Kristina Katarina.
Crystal Serenity will be in Lerwick during the spectacular Parade of Sail day when vessels participating in The Tall Ships Races 2011 depart for Stavanger at the end of a four-day visit on 24 July.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.