Friday, August 1, 2014 - 09:23 by ce-press
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines’ 880-passenger Boudicca began its second cruise season from Liverpool’s iconic Pier Head Cruise Terminal this summer, with an eight-night sailing to the Norwegian fjords. In all the cruiseline is offering 11 sailings from Liverpool in its 2014/15 cruise season, one up on last year. These include a 16-night voyage to Norway 'In search of the Northern Lights’ in November, and a two-night Dublin mini-cruise in December.
Nathan Philpot, sales and marketing director FOCL, said: "We were very encouraged by the commitment shown by our loyal guests in the Merseyside region last year, and we are offering even more cruises from this vibrant city in 2014. With its stunning vistas and proud maritime heritage, there is something very special about cruising from Liverpool, and it is a tremendous benefit to be able to offer our guests the chance to set sail from the world-famous Pier Head."
Meanwhile on May 30-31 Queen Victoria made the first overnight call to Liverpool by a Cunard Line ship in nearly 50 years. This was in celebration of the centenary of the maiden voyage of Aquitania which sailed from the same berth on May 30 1914.
The call began with fly-board champion Jay St John being propelled 50’ feet up into the air by two waterjets attached to his feet to exchange salutes with the Commodore at the ship's bow.
A day of special events on board to mark the Aquitania anniversary culminated with a fireworks display against the backdrop of the city's Three Graces, the Royal Liver Building, the Port of Liverpool Building and the Cunard Building, where the company had its headquarters for over 50 years until 1967, which together form a UNESCO World Heritage site. The next day local opera singer Danielle Thomas performed on the quayside as the twenty-thousand-strong crowd on shore bade the ship farewell.
Cunard marks its 175th anniversary next year and all three Cunard Queens will sail together on the Mersey for the first time on May 25 2015 as part of the company's year of celebration.
