#CruiseControl – The Hollywood blockbuster 'Speed 2: Cruise Control' released in 1997 starring Sandra Bullock and filmed on board Seabourn Legend, is to make her maiden call to Dun Laoghaire Harbour tomorrow, writes Jehan Ashmore.
This will be the first time that Seabourn Cruises, a prestigious operator in the high-end of the cruise market will visit Dun Laoghaire Harbour as part of a 15-day 'Cruise of Britannia'. The five-star 208 capacity cruiseship embarked her guests in London and she has a crew of 164 to pamper their requirements.
Her high-quality suites are renowned for personalized service coupled by award-winning choice of restuarents serving French fries to foie-gras.
Only a year after entering service for Seabourn, she was home for three months to the film production crew and actors including co-stars Willem Defoe and Jason Patric.
In addition to the many on board shoots, those that required high-drama stunts scenes, required construction of a replica of her bow which saw her crashing ashore in the film set in the Caribbean.
As previously reported, Seabourn Legend was one of record three callers to Waterford City Quays today, is currently underway tonight along with two other cruiseships. She was originally launched in 1988 as Royal Viking Queen as one of a trio of intimate yacht-like ships ordered by Royal Viking Line. The sisters were built by German shipyard, Schichau Seebeckwerft in Bremerhaven.
When her current owners took ownership, she was re-christened by Linn Brynestad, the wife of Seabourn founder Atle Brynestad. She retained her name for the film.
Tomorrow's call of the near 10,000 tonnes Seabourn Legend marks the third of four cruiseships due this season. Last year the harbour had 13 callers, there were four in 2012 and in the re-launching of the cruise business in 2011 saw two visits by the same cruiseship.
A record number of cruiseships, totalling 23 are confirmed for the 2015 season according to the Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company.
In addition, the harbour is to welcome another record with 66,867 passengers, which for the first time exceeds those visiting across the bay in Dublin Port where 60,751 passengers are expected to visit the capital.
