Cruising into Liverpool 2018
Liverpool’s cruise industry sails into action as the city prepares to welcome an array of new ships in 2018.
Liverpool Cruise Terminal will play host to an impressive 57 Cruise Ships this year, carrying more than 100,000 international passengers and crew into the city – that’s enough people to fill the Great Hall in St George’s Hall 125 times!
The schedule is making some big waves, including five inaugural visits to the city from Aida Aura, Berlin, Ocean Dream, Seabourn Ovation and Viking Sun. Additionally The prestigious Cunard Line will bring luxury vessel Queen Victoria on 22 May, and proving she’s ‘knot’ the only Queen on the sea, Liverpool will also welcome Queen Elizabeth on 23 July.
Princess Cruises’ flagship Royal Princess will grace the River Mersey once more, with an impressive four calls this season. The Royal Princess weighs in at 141,000 GT – the equivalent to 114 Mersey ferries!
Enjoy the splendour of seeing Disney Magic once again as she returns for her fourth visit in three years. She’ll be setting sail from Liverpool’s world famous waterfront, early evening on Friday 7 September. Plans are underway to stage a special sail away show to mark the occasion. Night owls are welcome stay up all night as Celebrity Eclipse sails into the city on 12 June and Europa II on 8 September – both will stay alongside the Cruise Terminal for a special sleepover.
Liverpool’s cruise industry is expected to bring in more than £7 million to the local economy in 2018.
Assistant Mayor and cabinet member for culture, tourism and events, Councillor Wendy Simon, said: “For more than a decade, Liverpool has been a leading destination within the travel, hospitality and cruise sector. We’re thrilled to have so many ships making their inaugural visit to the city and delighted to welcome back old friends.
“Our cruise offering is exceptional and we look forward to welcoming more than 100, 000 people to experience the city and all it has to offer.”
Peter Murney, Liverpool’s Cruise and Operations Manager, said: “Here at Cruise Liverpool, we welcome the world to the heart of our city and to the birthplace of passenger shipping.
“With such a wealth of things to see and do here, we’re a truly unbeatable destination for international passengers and will remain so.”
For more information about the 2018 cruise schedule, visit www.cruise-liverpool.com . The full schedule can be downloaded. Arrival and departure times are published on the Cruise Liverpool Facebook page a few days prior to the cruise ship calling – www.facebook.com/liverpoolcruiseterminal. Or follow the team on Twitter & Instagram @CruiseLpool