City Stars who have given 45,000 cruise passengers a warm Liverpool welcome are to receive a special civic thank you on Tuesday (12 November).

In February, the Cruise Liner Terminal recruited 20 volunteers from Liverpool ONE’s City Stars programme to be ambassadors for the city whenever a ship berths.

Their role sees them:

• Meet and greet embarking and disembarking passengers
• Be on hand with tourist information for those on day visits
• Assist passengers in locating their baggage
• Advise people on check-in procedures
• Make sure visitors catch the courtesy cruise connection bus to take them to key attractions including the Albert Dock and Liverpool Cathedral
• Help out with cruise events taking place in the city

In more than 80 per cent of the feedback forms the terminal receives from passengers, the volunteers are specifically mentioned, with many comments about how helpful and friendly they are.

To thank them for their vital ambassadorial role, the Lord Mayor of Liverpool Councillor Gary Millar, will host a special civic reception in the Town Hall on Tuesday 12 November.

Councillor Millar said: “The 2013 cruise season has seen 35 liners come to the city, and for each and every visit, our dedicated army of volunteers have been on hand to give a warm Liverpool welcome.

“Many of them are at the terminal early in the morning when the ships dock, and are there until the ship leaves in the evening – going above and beyond to make sure passengers sail away with only positive impressions of the city.

“We want to say a huge thank-you to these individuals who go above and beyond, as it’s largely down to this warm welcome that makes sure people return to the city time and time again.”

The cruise liner terminal works in partnership with the Albert Dock,  Liverpool BID Company, Liverpool ONE, Liverpool Cathedral and ACE Travel to provide a courtesy bus link into the city for visiting passengers.

Part of the legacy of Liverpool 08 Capital of Culture, the award-winning City Stars continues to assist with events and provide a welcome to Liverpool. Last year, the City Stars volunteered for 606 shifts or 2553 hours, the equivalent of £15,803.07 in paid time. The initiative continues to be delivered by Liverpool ONE in collaboration with Liverpool City Council.

Chris Bliss, Estate Director at Liverpool ONE, added: “Liverpool ONE recognises the importance and value of working together with city partners and the Liverpool ONE City Stars programme is an excellent example of this. The City Stars play a crucial role in welcoming oversees visitors to the City and promoting Liverpool as a must-visit destination. We are thrilled that their positivity, hard work and continued commitment to the wider City is being acknowledged.