News / Early cruise visit
LERWICK is set to welcome its first cruise ship of the year on Sunday – more than a month earlier than normal.
Sunday will see the 700 passenger ship Discovery berth in the town’s harbour on the first of three visits this month on special interest voyages between ports in Scotland, England and Norway.
Lerwick Port Authority deputy chief executive Victor Sandison said the harbour was on course for another record-breaking season.
So far 52 ships have been booked, matching the port’s 2012 record, and the total tonnage is expected to exceed 1.9 million gross tonnes, beating the previous record of 1.5 million gross tonnes two years ago.
An estimated 44,725 passengers will visit Shetland on cruise ships this season, topping the previous highest yearly figure of 37,572.
The greater tonnage reflects the larger vessels Lerwick Harbour is now attracting. The 114,288 tonne Costa Pacifica will return on 25 June, while other large vessels will include the Ruby Princess and Celebrity Infinity – both making their maiden visits to the isles.
In all there will be eight first time callers in a season expected to run until late September, peaking in June and July.
Sandison said it demonstrated Shetland’s popularity with cruise line operators and passengers – something he puts down to “the combination of port facilities, warm welcome and numerous attractions”.
The LPA will be sending a representative to a cruise ship event in Miami from 10-13 March, and it will also attend Seatrade Med in Barcelona in September.
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