By
Alice Chambers |
Plymouth welcomed seven cruise ships and thousands of passengers in 2022, making it the busiest year for cruise tourism in the UK city since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Plymouth’s cruise season began in April 2022 with the visit of Antarctica21 Air-Cruises’ Ocean Nova. The port then welcomed Residences at Sea’s private residential ship The World and Seabourn’s Seabourn Ovation in June.
Nicko Cruises’ Vasco da Gama followed in August, carrying 500 passengers, and Ponant’s Le Champlain visited in September under charter to Abercrombie & Kent.
Next, Holland America Line’s Rotterdam visited the port in October as part of the line’s 150th anniversary celebrations, collecting passengers en route to New York. The port celebrated the occasion by exchanging a plaque between the captain of the ship and Plymouth’s Lord Mayor Councillor Sue Dann. The ports volunteer Cruise Ambassadors also welcomed passengers ashore and provided tourist information throughout the day.
Rotterdam is scheduled to return to Plymouth in 2023, alongside 11 other vessels including Saga Cruises’ Spirit of Discovery, Silversea Cruises’ Silver Dawn and Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Braemar.
“The cruise tourism generated by the ships visiting Plymouth brings a welcome economic boost through passengers and crew spending on everything from visiting the attractions and taking tours, to the gift shops and other retail outlets, cafes, restaurants and boat trips,” said Amanda Lumley, chief executive of Destination Plymouth. “There are also the port revenues for berthing, pilotage, harbour fees and staff.
“It’s fantastic news that so many passenger liners are already booked in for next year and we would encourage local businesses to get involved with the cruise guests and crew coming ashore, putting up welcome signs and decorations to make each ship’s call a really special event for visitors.”
Plymouth has three different berthing and anchorage options for cruise ships including berths alongside Trinity Pier and West Wharf at Mill Bay, and anchorages in Plymouth Sound.