Cruise film makes a splash
LIVERPOOL Cruise Terminal’s record breaking year has been captured in a special showreel.
The film shows highlights of the 2016 season which includes the inaugural Disney Magic visit, the celebrations to mark the 100th anniversary of the Cunard Building which saw the Queen Elizabeth sail in to the city and the first Royal christening of a Mersey ship for 50 years.
The three and a half minute showcase also features interviews with cruise liner representatives including Jon Bye, Port Operations Executive for Fred Olsen and Queen Mary 2’s Captain, Kevin Oprey, who praise what the city has to offer for tourists and the work of the Cruise Liverpool team. Vox pops with passengers show how popular the location of the cruise terminal is with one commenting: “You arrive and you’re right in the city centre”; and another said: “Some ports can be a hassle with shuttle buses – but here, it’s dead easy.” Other comments focus on Liverpool as a fantastic tourist destination.
Some achievements of the 2016 season are:
- The city welcomed 63 cruise liners – 9 more than the previous year
- In total, 114,676 passengers and crew came to the city
- An economic impact of around £7 million was generated
- Four different vessels made an inaugural call to Liverpool. These were Disney Magic, L’Austral, Artania and Amadea
Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for culture, tourism and events, Councillor Wendy Simon, said: “This showreel is a snap shot of what a fantastic season it has been for the Cruise Liverpool Team.
“Liverpool’s reputation and popularity as a cruise destination continues to grow and we’re delighted with the success of our 2016 season and the £7m boost to the local economy.
“Each year, demand from cruise lines to come to Liverpool increases and the Cruise Liverpool team rise to the challenge, making sure that for operators, their time in Liverpool runs as smoothly as possible and that passengers receive the best possible welcome to kick start their visitor experience here – and it works as Liverpool has been voted the Best UK Port of Call three times in four years.
“This has been a great year for our cruise industry – as well as returning vessels, we welcomed four new liners to the Mersey which is huge coup – it’s a fiercely competitive industry and to know that cruise companies want to add Liverpool as a port of call is amazing news.
“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 an unforgettable time in the city – so here’s to a successful 2017!”
Angie Redhead, Liverpool Cruise and Operations Manager, said: “It’s great to reflect on the success of 2016, but we are already looking ahead to 2017 which is shaping up to be a busy year for us.
“We have the return of Disney Magic which I’m sure will draw in huge crowds once again, whilst the British Open Golf Championship brings both Celebrity Silhouette and Azamara Journey to the Mersey on the same day which will look stunning whilst we have four more inaugural calls on top of our usual returning liners.
“I’m extremely proud of the fact that we are growing year on year, and myself and the team look forward welcoming thousands more international passengers who will be able to see for themselves why Liverpool has such a fantastic reputation.”