Southampton reaches two million

Two million passengers visited Southampton in 2017 and brought with them a massive multi-million pound cash injection to the local economy. Every time a cruiseship visits Southampton, it is estimated to bring a cash boost of £2m (€2.26m) and in 2017 there were more than 500 calls.

ABP Southampton director Alastair Welch commented: “2017 was a record-breaking year for the Port of Southampton and 2018 looks set to be even busier. A huge amount of work goes into ensuring all passengers transit our facilities with the greatest of ease and it is testament to our whole port community that two million cruise passengers receive Southampton’s world class service.”

In 2017 the port experienced its busiest long weekend ever when 15 cruiseships visited the port in June. In 2018 the port can look forward to eight maiden calls, a naming ceremony for Azamara Pursuit on August 28 and newcomers to the port: Aida Perla; Norwegian Bliss; MSC Meraviglia; Sapphire Princess; Zuiderdam; Seven Seas Navigator and Koningsdam.

Azamara chief operating officer Carol Cabezas commented on the christening of Azamara Pursuit in the UK port: “This ship has a very strong British heritage and it has a fantastic following here. Plus we have seen a tremendous amount of demand from the UK audience. We’ve never had a christening in our brand’s history and we want to do that in Southampton.”

On August 31 the port will experience a six-ship day when Arcadia, Aurora, Braemar, Independence of the Seas, Mein Schiff 3 and Queen Victoria will all be alongside in Southampton. This day will showcase the diversity Southampton delivers for a range of lines and the breadth of the cruise industry.