The Norwegian expedition cruise liner, Maud, arrived in Waterford Port this morning, the first cruise vessel in over two years, due to Covid pandemic disruption.
It is the maiden voyage of the vessel, from the Norwegian cruise line company Hurtigruten. She arrived from the Isle of Man with over 500 passengers on board and 300 crew members. The vessel is named after one of the most famous Polar vessels -Roald Amundsen's 'Maud' - from 1917.
Waterford Harbour Master Capt. Darren Doyle said 27 cruise vessels will call to Waterford by the end of September with a total of 35,000 passengers and 16,000 crew members. “This will deliver a much-needed boost to the regional tourism economy of €3.5m.”
The Maud is scheduled to make nine more visits to Waterford this Summer.
The Celebrity Apex, which cost $900 million to build is scheduled to make her maiden visit in June and return in July and in August with over 3,000 passengers on each occasion.
