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Displaying items by tag: Vistafjord

Passengers embarking in Dublin Port for a cruise next month will firstly spend their first night onboard while docked in the capital, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The classic cruiseship Saga Ruby will welcome her passengers and after checking in they can explore the 4-star rated vessel followed by dinner, marking the first evening of an eight-night cruise of the Faroe, Orkney & Outer Hebridean Islands.

On the following day passengers can remain onboard and enjoy the facilities or take an optional tour of Dublin or Wicklow prior to returning to the cruiseship for the evening departure on 24 July.

Prices start from €1,159pp in a twin inside cabin, for more information on other cabin categories and the cruise from John Galligan Travel click here.

Saga Ruby is one of the last traditionally built cruiseships, featuring spacious wooden decks in particularly on the tiered decks overlooking her cruiser stern. The 24,492 tonnes vessel joined Saga Cruises in 2005 after a $17m refit and was at one stage was the Caronia of Cunard Line, but she started her career as Vistafjord for Norwegian America Line as a combined cruise-liner /cruise-ship when built in 1973. To read more about the classic ship click here.

She can take over 600 passengers and is currently operated by the Saga Cruises which caters primarily for the UK over-50's market noting passengers can be accompanied by adults over 40.

Published in Cruise Liners

As an island economy, a healthy maritime sector is key to our national competitiveness. Virtually all our imports and exports pass through Irish ports.

Ireland is dependent on ports and shipping services to transport goods and 90% of our trade is moved though Irish ports. Shipping and maritime transport services make a significant contribution to Ireland’s ocean economy, with the sector generating €2.3 billion in turnover and employing over 5,000 people in 2018.

Ireland’s maritime industry continues to grow and progress each year with Irish ports and shipping companies making significant investments. The ports sector in Ireland is currently undergoing a number of expansions and developments with Dublin Port’s Alexandra Basin development, the development of Ringaskiddy in Cork by Port of Cork and the development of Shannon Foynes Port. Along with these major investments, shipping companies are also investing heavily in new tonnage, with Irish Ferries, CLdN and Stena leading new build programmes.

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This section of the site deals with Port and Shipping News on our largest ports Dublin Port, Port of Cork, the Shannon Estuary, Galway Harbour and Belfast Lough.

A recent study carried out for the Irish Ports Association (IPA) totalled 75.7 billion during 2004 and their net economic impact was some 5.5 billion supporting around 57, 500 full time employees.

Liam Lacey, Director of the Marine Institute’s Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) said, “The Irish maritime industry can look to the future with confidence. It has shown itself to be resilient and agile in responding to challenges. Over the past decade, it has had to respond to the challenges of the financial crisis of 2008, the uncertainty surrounding Brexit and recent challenges. Ireland’s maritime sector has continued to underpin our economy by maintaining vital shipping links for both trade and tourism.”