Marine / Cruise ship activity to pick up pace
MORE cruise ships are due in Shetland in the coming days and weeks as the sector becomes more active.
The 91m Hebridean Sky is scheduled to arrive in Lerwick on Saturday morning for a quick visit.
It follows the arrival of Island Sky yesterday (Monday). It had a reduced capacity of 66 passengers, who went ashore in ‘bubbles’.
On Monday (26 July) the much larger 246m Marella Explorer 2 is due to arrive in Lerwick.
August looks set to be a busier month, with 12 calls in total scheduled.
They include the 238m Borealis and Bolette.
There are also cruise calls scheduled for September, and one in early October.
Monday’s arrival was the first cruise ship in Shetland and Scotland since early 2020 as coronavirus restrictions eased.
Initially cruises are only from the UK, hosting domestic passengers.
Lerwick Port Authority said the much-reduced season will see 21 visits in total from cruise ships this year.
The Norwegian training vessel Statsraad Lehmkuhl is also due to return to Lerwick later this month.
Lerwick Port Authority chief executive Captain Calum Grains said last week: “We’ve been working through the many steps required with all interested parties to ensure that Covid measures are in place to protect everyone involved during cruise ship visits.
“These measures meet official requirements and complement the comprehensive steps taken by cruise operators which set some of the highest standards seen in the tourism industry.”
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.