Displaying items by tag: First Newbuild

18th July 2019

UK Operator's First Custom Built Newbuild Departs Dover On Maiden Cruise Including Dublin

Saga Cruises first custom-built cruiseship, Spirit of Discovery docked at the UK's busiest ferryport, Dover, where the newbuild departed from the Kent port last week on a maiden cruise of the UK and Ireland including today's first visit to Dublin Port.

Saga Cruises first ever cruiseship built for the UK operator made a maiden port of call to Dublin Port this morning as part of an inaugural round Britain and Ireland cruise, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Spirit of Discovery departed Dover last week on 10 July having made history as the first ship to use the ferryport's newly refurbished £250m cruise terminal. As part of the investment is a new number 4 berth where the new ship flagged under the Red Ensign berthed in the port's western docks.

This morning's arrival of Spirit of Discovery to Dublin Port first involved having to take a pilot on board from cutter Camac off Howth Peninsula having sailed overnight from Liverpool Cruise Terminal. The day before, the newcomer made a first call to Belfast Harbour docking at berth D1 located close to Harland & Wolff.

The 58,250 gross tonnage leadship was built by Meyer Werft at their shipyard located at the inland city of Papenburg in Germany. The newcomer with a capacity for 999 guests is built for the British market, had berthed in Dublin at Ocean Pier and will remain in port until this evening. The next cruise leg is scheduled with a passage to Cobh, Cork Harbour, thus completing in visiting the main cities on the island of Ireland.

Prior to entering service, the delivery voyage from the German shipyard required a passage upriver of the Ems River to reach the North Sea. The ship which is also to cruise in polar regions has environmental design features. Among them is a first for the shipyard with the equipment of an eSiPod propulsion system delivered by well known German firm, Siemens.

The new 236m long luxury Spirit of Discovery features the design cues of cuisine and levels of service you expect in the world’s finest boutique hotels with a private balcony for every guest. The £346m newbuild was named by the Duchess of Cornwall in a christening ceremony held in the UK on 5 July at the Port of Dover.

Two days previously the keel of a fleetmate, Spirit of Adventure was laid down at the same shipyard and is due for completion next year. With the entry then of a pair of newbuilds, Saga Cruises plan to operate a World Cruise in 2022.

The return to this ship name recalls a predecessor, the much smaller Spirit of Adventure, when operating albeit for a subsidiary brand of Saga. The small ship with just 412 passengers and at just shy of 10,000 gross tonnage had called to Irish ports.

Current operator of the ship, FTI Cruises GmbH, continues to call to Ireland but under the name Berlin which was originally given to when the cruiseship was launched in 1980. Likewise of the new 'Spirit' the older cruiseship was also built in Germany but at a different shipyard.

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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.