By
Rebecca Gibson |
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Star closed Portland Port’s 2015 season when she called with 2,160 passengers on 27 September.
Norwegian Star spent a full day berthed at the UK port, allowing passengers to explore the region’s tourist attractions. To mark the ship’s departure and the close of the 2015 season, the Nothe Forte Artillery Volunteers fired three shots.
This year, Portland welcomed a record 26,500 passengers and 23 cruise ship calls, including five maiden visits. The port also helped Crystal Cruises to celebrate its 25th anniversary with both Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity visiting the port.
“2015 has been an excellent year for us in the cruise sector with record numbers and plenty of inaugural calls,” said Ian McQuade, general manager of commercial at Portland Port. “We are now looking to build on this success and are already planning for 2017.”
Portland plans to open an extended cruise berth in 2017 to allow ships longer than 330m to visit the port.
“The berth extension will transform our capabilities and will enable us to remain competitive for many years to come,” said McQuade.