On May 4, the first call of 54 will be made in Lerwick by Noble Caledonia’s Quest on the first of three visits this year. The season will end on September 9 with Cruise & Maritime Voyage’s Discovery.
The current annual record at the Shetland Islands’ port is 48 calls in 2010, a figure also recorded in 2005 and again in 2003. Last year 30,843 passengers visited which is expected to be topped this year.
“A recent study for Cruise Scotland highlighted the tremendous potential to further develop the country’s cruise market. Shetland’s many attractions and Lerwick’s modern facilities make us a prime destiantion, with a major contribution to make, as will be demonstrated again this year,” said Victor Sandison, deputy chief executive Lerwick Port Authority.
It is estimated that passenger spending in Shetland will exceed £1m (E1.2m) this year.
The size of vessels that are visiting is increasing also with a total of 1.4m gt expected this year, mostly accounted for by 23 vessels, compared with 1.2m in 2010. June will be the busiest month with 16 calls including 113,651gt Crown Princess and 114,500gt Costa Pacifica, the largest vessels to visit the port so far.
Passengers from the larger vessels will arrive by tender at a new welcome ashore pavilion opened in late 2010 as part of the ongoing development of facilities.
Six maiden calls this year will include Oceania Cruises’ Marina, P&O Cruises’ Arcadia and Kristina Cruises’ Kristina Katarina.
Crystal Serenity will call during the Parade of Sail day when vessels participating in The Tall Ships Races 2011 depart for Stavanger at the end of a four-day visit, 21-24 July.
Lerwick is situated at 60 degrees north, between the North Sea and the Atlantic and is well-placed for round-Britain and northern European itineraries.
