News / Lerwick welcomes largest cruise ship to date
THE POPULATION of Lerwick is set to double on Tuesday with the arrival of two cruise ships, including the fifth largest in the world and the biggest yet to visit the Shetland port.
The 171,598 gross tonne MSC Meraviglia dropped anchor in Bressay Sound just after 7am and is set to dominate the harbour for the day.
At 316 metres in length the massive cruise ship has just over 5,000 passengers plus another 1,500 crew on board.
A second cruise ship, the 225-metre long Europe 2 carrying 512 passengers and 370 crew, is meanwhile berthing at Mair’s Pier East.
A delighted Victor Sandison of Lerwick Port Authority said with more than 7,000 people potentially coming ashore, Tuesday is set to become the busiest cruise day for town and harbour yet.
“Our involvement with the cruise sector just keeps getting bigger and better, with larger vessels and higher numbers,” he said.
“This season, we expect to welcome 93 ships and approaching 93,000 passengers in an all-round record year, with 119 vessels, bringing an anticipated 110,000 passengers, already booked for 2019.”
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