#CruiseLiners - The deep blue-hulled Marco Polo, Cruise & Maritime Voyages veteran vessel as Afloat previously featured calling to Irish ports is among seven cruiseships that will use the UK Port of Hull this season, writes Jehan Ashmore.
The North Sea port located on the Humber estuary is operated by Associated British Ports (ABP) and has become an increasingly popular cruise calling destination and for those directly departing from the port in East Yorkshire. In order to further attract cruise-goers, ABP has invested in creating additional car parking for holidaymakers to ensure a stress-free trip embarking.
Marco Polo has called to the Port of Hull throughout the summer and Afloat will have more to report on a mini-cruise between Hull and Harwich in Essex.
In addition to CMV's Marco Polo, the first caller this season to Port of Hull was Silversea Cruises six-star expedition ship, Silver Cloud. The 250 passengers enjoyed a day trip to Hull, last year's UK City of Culture and to nearby historically-steeped York.
According to ABP, port apprentices and staff lined up to welcome the Silver Cloud passengers to Hull as they enjoyed canapés and jazz music prior to boarding. Also taking place was a traditional plaque exchange held on board between ABP, Silver Cloud’s Captain and Hull City Council’s Lord Mayor and Admiral of the Humber.
The 12 day Silversea Cruise toured the UK which concluded in the Pool of London where the 157m entered through the iconic Tower Bridge. Also this season, passengers boarded Silver Cloud from this central location on a cruise to include Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way.
Hull is centrally located port on the Humber and is already home to daily P&O Ferries operated routes to Zeebrugge and Rotterdam. Together these overnight services annually handle just under one million passengers travelling to Belgium and The Netherlands.
