Displaying items by tag: CruiseWales

28th February 2023

Cunard Head to Holyhead, Anglesey this Summer as Cruise Tourism Becomes 'Big Business' in Wales

Cruisecalls among them from Cunard Line is to visit the Port of Holyhead, Anglesey this summer as the tourism sector booms in Wales.

This year the country is due to welcome a record 91 cruiseships to date, with Holyhead port leading the way with more than half of the total calling to the port.

Across the Irish Sea, as Afloat reported Dun Laoghaire Harbour (alone is to pip the Welsh national total) with 92 cruise visits booked this season so far to visit the Irish harbour, though no 'Cunarders' are scheduled to call this year.

Holyhead, however will have the prestigious MS Queen Victoria which is scheduled to dock on 4 June, its first call at the deep water jetty (acquired, see story) under Stena Line’s ownership. The Vista class 16-deck ship, is likened to a sea liner because of its interior decor, and the Italian built cruiseship (a sister of Queen Elizabeth), is capable of carrying almost 2,100 passengers as well as 900 crew.

The “cruise is big business in Wales” and this is where the Welsh Government has been working with Cruise Wales – a partnership between the country’s six cruise ports. Asides Holyhead, Afloat adds all these ports are all in south Wales, they are Fishguard, Pembroke Dock (Milford Haven), Swansea, Cardiff and Newport.

To promote the sector, Cruise Wales is develop new onshore tour itineraries for passengers and also to showcase the nation’s attractions. Examples of these new breed of itineraries include the themes of ‘Coal, Coin and Cheers’ with tours throughout south Wales.

In total this year Wales is to see 80,000 passengers and 39,000 crew, this equates to a potential passenger day spend income of £8.3 million.

The first call of the 2023 season to Holyhead will be Viking Venus on 6 April and on the same day Spitzbergen is scheduled to visit Fishguard.

Holyhead is to welcome more than half the nation’s total with 53 calls.

The call by Viking Venus is to take place following a visit to Dun Laoghaire Harbour which opens the season for the Irish port and this will involve an anchorage call.

Cruiseship On 14 Night Irish & Scottish Cruise to Visit Welsh Port of Milford Haven

HAL's smallest cruiseship, MS Prinsendem arriving Killybegs,Co. Donegal last Autumn

#cruiseliners - The cruiseship MS Prinsendam which featured on RTE's The Local Eye, will call at Milford Haven, south Wales this weekend as part of a 14-night Irish and Scottish Explorer Cruise from Amsterdam.

The 37,000 gross tonnage ship is due to arrive from Belfast at 08:00 on Sunday 13th August when over 800 passengers and crew will be offered complimentary entry into Milford Museum and a free shuttle bus around the town. A number of excursions will take passengers to the popular Pembrokeshire destinations of Tenby, Carew, St Davids and Pembroke Castle, as well as the National Botanic Garden of Wales in Carmarthenshire.

Prinsendam belongs to the Holland America Line fleet and according to the Port of Milford Haven she last visited the port in 2015. She was due to call in June but was forced to cancel due to poor weather conditions.

The port in Pembrokeshire is expecting two more cruise calls this year – Ocean Majesty is due on 16th September, shortly followed by the Europa on 21st September which is one of the only six star cruise ships in the world. Back in June, the Port welcomed the Silver Explorer to Pembroke as part of its eleven day ‘Anglo-Celtic Islands in Spring’ tour.

Alec Don, Chief Executive at the Port of Milford Haven, said “Cruise calls are a highlight in our events calendar and the whole community enjoys seeing the vast vessels in the Milford Haven Waterway. As well as the pre-arranged trips to some of Pembrokeshire’s fantastic attractions, we hope many passengers and crew members will enjoy spending time in Milford Haven and sample the excellent range of shops, cafes and activities on offer around the waterfront and in the town centre.”

Published in Cruise Liners

Tagged under

CruiseWales

About the Loughs Agency

The Loughs Agency is a governmental body established under the 1998 Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Ireland. The Agency's goal is to provide sustainable social, economic, and environmental benefits by effectively conserving, managing, promoting, and developing the fisheries and marine resources of the Foyle and Carlingford areas.

The Agency's governing legislation confers several specific functions, including the promotion of development of Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough for commercial and recreational purposes in respect of marine, fishery, and aquaculture matters. Moreover, the Agency is responsible for managing, conserving, protecting, improving, and developing the inland fisheries of the Foyle and Carlingford areas. Additionally, the Agency has the task of developing and licensing aquaculture, as well as the development of marine tourism.

The Loughs Agency reports to the North South Ministerial Council and its government Sponsor Departments, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland, and the Department of the Environment, Climate, and Communications (DECC) in Ireland. The Departments fund the Agency on an equal basis.

The Loughs Agency's focus on sustainable development is expected to have a positive impact on the economy, environment, and local communities in the Foyle and Carlingford areas. The Agency's efforts to conserve and enhance the region's marine resources, including fisheries and aquaculture, are expected to benefit local communities, promote tourism, and contribute to economic growth.

In conclusion, the Loughs Agency plays a vital role in promoting the sustainable social, economic, and environmental development of the Foyle and Carlingford areas. Its work on marine conservation and development is crucial in ensuring the long-term viability of the region's natural resources and in promoting sustainable economic growth.