#dlharbour – The Dun Laoghaire Cruise Stakeholder Group will launch its 2015 cruise season today. The year is set to be the most successful cruise season for Dun Laoghaire, with an expected 100,000 passengers and crew set to arrive into the Harbour over the next five months.
Ahead of the calls, the Cruise Stakeholder Group has put in place a welcome programme which will run for each cruise call. The welcome programme will comprise entertainment, shuttle bus transport and an ambassador scheme to provide information and guidance to cruise visitors.
The first cruise visit of the season will take place on Tuesday, 12th May with the arrival of the Royal Princess. The ship will be on its maiden voyage, and will carry over 5,000 crew and passengers.
During Wednesday's launch, the Dun Laoghaire Stakeholder Group will unveil full details of its cruise welcome programme, as well as announcing key dates for major cruise calls.
Dun Laoghaire Stakeholder Group is comprised Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and the local BID Company.
Speaking ahead of the event, Chairperson of Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company, Eithne Scott Lennon said: "We are delighted to be welcoming cruise visits in such numbers to Dun Laoghaire over the coming months. We are working collectively with the Council and local businesses to ensure that visitors get a taste of the local area through our welcome programme. Increased cruise visitors should provide a welcome boost to the local economy."