Displaying items by tag: 2,400 cruisegoers

10th May 2024

This Weekend Sees 'Largest Ever Cruise Ship' to Galway with Thousands on Board €350 Million Ship

Galway Bay is to see one of the largest cruise ships ever to anchor offshore of the city over the weekend, as the 91,000 gross tonnage vessel arrives with passengers to explore the west of Ireland.

The 2,400 passenger Norwegian Star with its luxurious facilities is one of the Dawn-class cruise ships which is to arrive in Galway on 12 May. The vessel with a draft of 8.2m is to anchor off the port from where passengers will use tenders back and forth to Dun Aengus Dock.

At 294 metres in length, the hulking vessel is more than twice as long as the pitch at Pearse Stadium and has a beam of just over 32m. The 23-year-old ship operated by Norwegian Cruise Line will also visit the east coast at Dun Laoghaire Harbour, where it will make an overnight anchorage just three days after departing the 'City of the Tribes'.

The ports so far visited by the Norwegian Star have included Lisbon in Portugal, Bilbao in Spain, Bordeaux, the French Atlantic coast ports of Bordeaux and La Rochelle and Le Havre on the English Channel, and two North Sea ports of Amsterdam in the Netherlands and Hamburg in Germany.

Cruise-goers on the Irish legs of the itinerary will get to visit Waterford, Belfast, Killybegs, Galway, Dingle, Dublin (Dun Laoghaire, as referred to), and Cork shortly afterwards.

The arrival of the €350 million ship to Galway Bay will be served by a 1,000 strong crew.

More Galway Beo has on this notable cruise ship caller.

Published in Galway Harbour

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About the Loughs Agency

The Loughs Agency is a governmental body established under the 1998 Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Ireland. The Agency's goal is to provide sustainable social, economic, and environmental benefits by effectively conserving, managing, promoting, and developing the fisheries and marine resources of the Foyle and Carlingford areas.

The Agency's governing legislation confers several specific functions, including the promotion of development of Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough for commercial and recreational purposes in respect of marine, fishery, and aquaculture matters. Moreover, the Agency is responsible for managing, conserving, protecting, improving, and developing the inland fisheries of the Foyle and Carlingford areas. Additionally, the Agency has the task of developing and licensing aquaculture, as well as the development of marine tourism.

The Loughs Agency reports to the North South Ministerial Council and its government Sponsor Departments, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland, and the Department of the Environment, Climate, and Communications (DECC) in Ireland. The Departments fund the Agency on an equal basis.

The Loughs Agency's focus on sustainable development is expected to have a positive impact on the economy, environment, and local communities in the Foyle and Carlingford areas. The Agency's efforts to conserve and enhance the region's marine resources, including fisheries and aquaculture, are expected to benefit local communities, promote tourism, and contribute to economic growth.

In conclusion, the Loughs Agency plays a vital role in promoting the sustainable social, economic, and environmental development of the Foyle and Carlingford areas. Its work on marine conservation and development is crucial in ensuring the long-term viability of the region's natural resources and in promoting sustainable economic growth.