Marine / Cruise ships back in town as Viking Venus visits Lerwick

Chris Cope

13 April 2023 08:14

A large cruise ship with multiple decks and lifeboats sails through calm waters under a grey sky. Steam emits from its smokestack.

Viking Venus arriving in Lerwick on Thursday morning. Photo: Jim Mullay

THE FIRST cruise ship of what could be a record breaking season has arrived in Lerwick.

The 229-metre Viking Venus, with a capacity of 930 passengers, docked at Mair’s Pier this morning (Thursday). She is set to return to Lerwick on Monday after visiting Bergen.

Nearly 150 liners are expected in Lerwick through to October.

Two cruise ships are sailing on the sea, with one in the foreground and the other in the distance. Smoke is coming from the stack of the nearer vessel. The sea appears calm under a gray sky.

The Viking Venus had the NorthLink ferry Hrossey hot on its heels. Photo: Austin Taylor

Lerwick Port Authority cruise and marketing manager Melanie Henderson said: “Having a meet-and-greet team back on duty to welcome passengers, and the sheer number of bookings, show how far we have come since the Covid pandemic.

“The team has a huge input on passenger satisfaction and encouraging repeat business from cruise lines.

“It means that the islands’ tourism network can look forward to its busiest cruise season yet, coinciding with another visit by the fleet of The Tall Ships Races, making for a great season. With strong bookings right through to 2026, the sector will continue to make a significant contribution to Shetland’s economy.”

It comes after the Norwegian tall ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl drew plenty of attention after docking at Victoria Pier for a few days.

She has now headed back to Norway, but the sail training ship will return for the folk festival later this month to host a couple of concerts.

However, people should get a chance to see the Christian Radich tall ship this weekend when she arrives on Saturday (15 April).

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