Sunday, June 5, 2016 - 20:27 by ce-press
A joint investment of £5m (E6.5m) from ABP Port of Southampton and Carnival UK to refurbish the QEII Cruise Terminal building and expand its capacity has now been completed. On May 10, 50 years on from its opening by Her Majesty The Queen in 1966, the renewed facility opened its doors.
The layout and flow of the passenger drop-off area has been improved, making use of the increased undercover drop-off facilities that the QEII Cruise Terminal offers. The new layout, with an enlarged security x-ray area relocated upstairs, aids passenger flows through check-in.
The 25% larger baggage hall can now be accessed by a new 46-person lift, offering passengers a step-free alternative to the existing stair and escalator arrangements.
The investment continues this winter when a ship-to-shore walkway will be installed, replacing the previous walkway initially constructed for Cunard Line's Queen Mary 2.
Clive Thomas, port manager, said: "Continually making improvements to our facilities is vital in ensuring Southampton remains the UK's top cruise port. We have upgraded the QEII Cruise Terminal in anticipation of future growth to improve passenger flow and experience. Passenger numbers are expected to increase to 1.8m this year."
Steven Young, director of port services & government affairs for Carnival UK, said: “Given the long history Cunard and P&O Cruises have had with the QEII Cruise Terminal, especially with QE2’s use of the berth over the years, it is appropriate to have Queen Elizabeth be the ship present for the reopening of the newly-refurbished terminal. The Queen opened the terminal originally and she named Queen Elizabeth in Southampton in 2010. We welcome this joint investment into the terminal and look forward to Carnival UK and other Carnival brand ships using these new facilities for many years to come.”
Pictured cutting the ribbon to the new security area of the QEII CruiseTerminal are: (LtoR) David Noyes, ceo Carnival UK; Florence ‘Dennie’ Farmer, loyal Cunard passenger; Captain Hashmi, master Queen Elizabeth and Alastair Welch, director ABP Southampton.
