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Displaying items by tag: Round Island Cruise

Around 300 passengers enjoyed spectacular views of the Isle of Man’s coastline on this year’s Ben-my-Chree round-the-island cruise which was held last Saturday following Midsummer's day. 

The ropax which the IOM Steam-Packet operates on the route to Heysham, England, departed Douglas at 19:00hrs on the special cruise which first went across the bay towards Onchan Head, swinging back around and continuing south. From there the cruise which included a meal as part of the fare offered further stunning views of Port Erin Bay followed by Peel and its castle. 

The fine evening meant that the crew were able to open up Deck 5 to allow passengers to get a great look at the coastline from the vehicle deck. There was also a refurbished motorised horse tram on the deck which made a great vantage point and photo opportunity.

It was an enjoyable evening for all with stunning coastal views, delicious food and musical entertainment from Douglas Town Band’s oompah act, Baron Otto's Blaskapelle, who performed several sets in the ship’s bar throughout the cruise.

Published in Ferry

#CruiseRescheduled – A Round-the-Island cruise of the Isle of Man planned for today has been rescheduled to the end of April.

Despite the clocks changing to mark summertime, the unfavourable weather conditions have led to the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company to instead set a new date for the cruise which is on Sunday, April 26th, departing Douglas at 11:30.

All passengers booked on the excursion will be automatically transferred and new tickets will be sent out. Full refunds will be given to those who cannot make the new date.

Commenting on the rescheduling, the company's Chief Executive Mark Woodward said: 'There are some choppy conditions forecast for this weekend, and potentially poor visibility during parts of the cruise, which may restrict views".

"While all of our other services are expected to run as scheduled this weekend, we felt that the forecast wouldn't make for an enjoyable round-the-Island experience for passengers and have therefore rescheduled to allow the trip to be completed in more favourable weather conditions."

All bookings will be automatically transferred or refunds are available on request. Tickets for the new date, cost £24 for adults and £12 for children (15 and under).

To make a booking, visit the Ferry Travel Shop, Sea Terminal, Douglas or call Reservations Team on 661661.

Published in Ferry

#IsleofManCruise- The annual Round the Island Sunset Cruise is to take place next Saturday (28 June) and operated by the Isle of Man Steam Packet's ro-pax Ben-my-Chree.

The main ship of the Manx ferry company, Ben-My-Chree which was featured in the ferry captain interviews series will depart Douglas at 1900 for a trip of around 4 hours. Tickets are on sale, priced at £26 for adults and £16 for children, including a main meal, non-alcoholic drink and ice cream.

The bar will not be open during the sailing as the vessel is not licenced to sell alcohol while it is in Manx waters. However, passengers are welcome to 'bring their own' to enjoy with their meal.

Chief Executive Mark Woodward said: 'These cruises are a wonderful opportunity to appreciate the beauty of the Manx coastline and enjoy a relaxing evening in good company. They are always popular, so I'd recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.

'Once again this year, the very knowledgeable Captain Stephen Carter will be providing commentary during the journey, which provides a fascinating insight to go with the breathtaking views.

To book a place on the Ben-my-Chree round-the-Island cruise, call in person at the Ferry Travel Shop, Sea Terminal, Douglas or call the Reservations Team on 661661. For more information in general about island ferry connections visit: www.steam-packet.com

 

Published in Ferry

Tricentenary 'Cork 300' Celebrations at Royal Cork Yacht Club

Cork 300 is the overall name for a series of events which will be held in Cork Harbour and further afield in 2020 to celebrate the tricentenary of Royal Cork Yacht Club.

300 years earlier, 25 individuals came together and created what is now the oldest yacht club in the world (where it all began). Today, there are thousands of yacht clubs across the globe with a collective membership running into the millions.

Cork, its harbour and its communities will proudly celebrate all that is on offer to visitors to Irelands Maritime Paradise with a series of events throughout the year. Register your interest here.

The lead events will be as follows:

July – The Great Gathering (Keelboats)
August – The Three Championship Weeks (Dinghies)
August – The Club At Home Regatta (Keelboats & Dinghies)

Events include…

AIB 1720 Southern Championships 28th-30th August
Sadly, the 1720 Europeans scheduled to take place as part of Volvo Cork Week fell victim to the covid 19 pandemic. The Royal Cork Yacht Club is instead hosting the AIB 1720 Southern Championships 2020 as part of their Tricentenary At Home Regatta weekend. The 1720 class originated from an idea generated by some committed racing members of the Royal Cork Yacht Club with the first prototype taking to the water in 1994. Designed by Tony Castro, they have been delighting many a competitive sailor since.

Tricentenary at Home Regatta, 28th - 30th August:
The AIB Tricentenary at Home Regatta will be the biggest sailing event of the year in the Royal Cork calendar. Racing will be available for all classes both dinghy and keelboat with many visitors expected from up and down the Irish South Coast. The National 18 Southern Championships will also feature as part of the racing over the weekend.

Maritime Parade 29th August
A maritime parade, originally scheduled for July, will now take place during the Tricentenary Regatta on the 29th August, with the support of the Irish Naval Services and Port of Cork. The Admiral of the Royal Cork and other dignitaries will review the parade from one of the Irish Naval Service vessels which will be anchored in the vicinity of Haulbowline.

1720s Race from Haulbowline to Crosshaven, 29th August
Following the Maritime Parade, a race will take place between all of the 1720s boats from the Naval Signal Tower back to the Royal Cork Yacht Club in Crosshaven. The National 18 Class will also be participating.

RCYC Exhibition at the Sirius, 29th August to 19th December
A RCYC Exhibition will be launched at the Sirius Arts Centre in Cobh on August 29th following the day's events. The Sirius was the Royal Cork Club House from 1854 to 1966, and the Exhibition will take a look at what life was like at the yacht club during its time there.

Fastnet Challenge, 29th August
The Fastnet Powerboat Challenge originally scheduled for the last week of July has now been moved to the last weekend of August (Weather permitting). This will see the UIM Long Distance Cork-Fastnet-Cork World Record attempt competed for.

Cork300 Family Race to the City, 12-13 September
In conjunction with Cove Sailing Club's annual Cobh to Blackrock race, Yachts and craft from across Cork Harbour will take part in a race to Blackrock Castle, following on from which, they will continue to the city Quays where they will remain overnight and provide a spectacle of sail within the City environs.

AIB National 18 Championships, 12-13 September
The AIB National 18 Championships for adult sailors in the UK and Ireland will take place from 12-13 September in Crosshaven this year as part of the Cork300 celebrations.

AIB Cork300 Autumn League, 27 September-25 October
The premier yacht racing event on the South Coast this year, the AIB Cork300 Autumn League, will be held over 5 weekends leading up to the October Bank Holiday weekend. This is expected to be the largest yacht racing event on the South Coast of Ireland this year.

AIB Irish Team Racing National Championships 2020, 21-22 November
Sailing teams from across the country will compete in Cork Harbour for the title of AIB Irish Team Racing National Champion 2020

All races will be governed by the COVID-19 guidelines as laid out by Irish Sailing and organising clubs.

At A Glance – Royal Cork Tricentenary

Founded in 1720, by a group of 25 pioneering individuals, the Royal Cork Yacht Club is the oldest yacht club in the world, and its tricentenary celebrations will take a look back at the origins of ‘where it all began’, which is attracting significant international interest from thousands of yacht clubs across the globe

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