Portsmouth Port looks ahead to busy 2009 cruise season
Fri 1st May 2009
Portsmouth Commercial Port has today confirmed its status in the cruise industry with 22 cruise visits secured for the 2009 season, doubling the 11 visits it had in 2008
The 2009 cruise season will commence on May 1st with the visit of the m/s Expedition, a new caller to Portsmouth. One of the more unusual and impressive calls is the Sea Cloud II, a five star luxury tall ship, which, during the summer months travels around the British Isles and Northern Europe. The sailing vessel, which aims to give its 94 passengers an exquisite sailing experience, is built on four decks and fitted with luxury rooms, restaurants and boutiques. The Portsmouth cruise season will also include seven visits by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ 839-passenger Boudicca, a world class cruise ship featuring stylish designs and luxury service. The ship will operate a series of cruises from the port to destinations in the Mediterranean and Atlantic (Cape Verde Islands) and has been moved to Portsmouth to reflect Fred. Olsen’s philosophy of using a variety of regional departure ports for its worldwide cruise programme. The Boudicca’s visits follow two calls from the Saga Group’s Spirit of Adventure. The ship, which visited the port for the first time during 2008, has two calls during the 2009 season, with a hope to increase these in future. Portsmouth offers many benefits as a cruise departure port; it has good access by road and rail and the motorway network just outside the port gates can quickly deliver passengers to regional and national airports. Strategically placed on the South Coast, Portsmouth is ideal for cruise ship tourists and turnaround calls, allowing them a quick entry and departure on their route to and from continental ports and the western Channel. Martin Putman, Port Manager, Portsmouth Commercial Port, comments on the upcoming year: “Developing our cruise offering is a key focus for Portsmouth Port and seeing the number of cruise calls double between 2008 and 2009 is fantastic news for us. The cruises are of great value to the city’s tourism industry as passengers use the tourist attractions, hotels and restaurants.”