Cruise boost for 2016
LIVERPOOL’S cruise industry continues to grow as the city prepares to welcome a record number of ships in 2016.
Liverpool Cruise Terminal will play host to 64 ships – ten more than the previous year – bringing in more than 85,000 passengers.
The 2016 schedule includes five inaugural visits, including Disney Magic which is one of the USA’s most popular cruise lines and has never visited the British Isles before. It will call twice to Liverpool next year. The other River Mersey debuts will be made by Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas, German travel operator Phoenix Reisen will bring two ships; Artania and Amadea and luxury French line Ponant will bring L’Austral.
There will also be a number of overnight calls including Brilliance of the Seas, Celebrity Silhouette, Phoenix Reisen Amadea and Hapag Lloyd Europa.
Liverpool’s cruise industry brought in around £7 million to the local economy this year as the city welcomed 81,000 visitors and 37,000 crew. Each passenger spent an estimated £70 in the city, with crew members spending £30.
Assistant Mayor and cabinet member for culture, tourism and events, Councillor Wendy Simon, said: “Over the last decade the city has experienced a remarkable cultural and economic renaissance which, combined with our famed hospitality, makes Liverpool a firm favourite with visitors from around the world.
“We are regularly highlighted by leading travel publications as a must visit tourist destination and we deliver world class, ground breaking events. To have the three Cunard Queens back in their spiritual home on our beautiful waterfront was nothing short of majestic and showed a global audience that we are a world class destination.
“I’m delighted that once again, our cruise offering has increased and we look forward to welcoming thousands more people who will be able to see for themselves why Liverpool has such a fantastic reputation.”
It’s been a busy year for the Cruise Liverpool team with a number of highlights including the visit of the Three Cunard Queens, the 50th birthday celebrations for Princess Cruises and 25th Birthday celebrations for Celebrity. Britannia, Marina and Nautica all made inaugural calls which were marked with passenger enhancements such as firework displays, quayside concerts and special cakes.
Liverpool also welcomed the return of Seven Seas Voyager, the very first ship to call to the newly constructed cruise terminal on 9th September 2007.
Azamara recently confirmed that due to the success of their 2014 and 2015 ‘AzAmazing Evening’ at Liverpool Cathedral, they will be offering this experience again in 2016, this time taking place in St Georges Hall. And last but not least, Liverpool was announced as the ‘Destination of the Year’ 2015 by Seatrade, beating off stiff competition from the Baltic region and Guadalupe Islands.
Angie Redhead, Liverpool Cruise and Operations Manager, said: “Liverpool Cruise Terminal welcomes the world to the heart of our city.
“We have a fantastic city wide support network behind our cruise operation, a wealth of things to see and do in the region, award winning attractions just a short walk away and a dedicated team of people ensuring every passenger has a great experience.
“When you combine all of these elements together, Liverpool’s appeal to the International passenger is unbeatable.”
For more information about the 2016 cruise schedule, visit www.cruise-liverpool.com . The full schedule can be downloaded.
Arrival and departure times and any last minute changes are published on the Cruise Liverpool Facebook page. Keep up to date here: www.facebook.com/liverpoolcruiseterminal and follow the team on Twitter @CruiseLpool
