#BusyCork - Cork's economy writes the Evening Echo, is set to be boosted by cruiseships bringing almost 20,000 passengers and crew expected in a 10-day period.

Port of Cork officials estimate that 13,500 passengers and 5,000 crew will pass through Cobh in a 10-day period, beginning with yesterday’s arrival of the MSC Splendida. The longest cruise ship to ever visit Irish shores (including Dublin Port), at 333 metres llong, brought some 4,600 passengers and crew to Cobh.

The luxurious liner, which has more than a dozen bars and lounges along with four swimming pools, a spa, Turkish baths, squash courts and a Formula 1 simulator across its 18 decks, will return to Cobh next weekend.

In the interim, a further five vessels will dock at Cobh’s cruise terminal. The town will welcome more than 50 ships in total this year, with the cruise liner season running until December 19, bringing a multi-million euro boost to the local economy.

For more on the story, click here.

Afloat.ie has listed the cruise ship list for beyond the next 10 days to include further callers to the end May. Note that not all the cruiseships will berth at Cobh Cruise Terminal but throughout Cork Habour.

For updates to schedules click here.