By
Rebecca Gibson |
Scotland’s port of Orkney is expected to handle more than 79 cruise ship visits in the 2015 season.
Next year, the port will host inaugural calls from P&O Cruises’ newbuild Britannia, which will debut in March 2015, and Disney Cruises’ Disney Magic, marking her first visit to a UK port. In addition, MSC Cruises’ MSC Splendida will make her maiden call at the Scottish port, bringing more than 4,300 passengers. The ship will then make four further visits during 2015. Among the other vessels scheduled to visit in 2015 is Cunard Line’s Queen Elizabeth, as part of the line’s 175th anniversary celebrations.
“A big team effort lies behind our cruise business and we’re delighted with the level of interest we’re experiencing for the 2015 season,” said Michael Morrison, marine services business development manager. “66 cruise ship visits are already booked and we expect the final total to exceed 80. Berth reservations are also being received for 2016 and 2017.”
Orkney’s 2014 season will end on 23 September with a visit from Hapag-Lloyd’s expedition ship Hanseatic, which will bring around 200 passengers to Stromness. This year, harbour dues paid to Orkney Islands Council Marine Services from cruise ship port calls topped £1 million for the first time. This is an increase of just under 30% on last year’s figure of £790,000.
“The number of cruise ship visits to Orkney has remained pretty steady in recent years,” said Morrison. “But we’re seeing more visits by bigger vessels, resulting in greater overall passenger numbers and a rise in the revenue we receive. The increase in the size of ships visiting is a good indicator of the level of confidence that the industry has in our ability to deliver a quality experience for visiting passengers and is good news for Orkney’s economy.”
A survey carried out in summer 2013 indicated that Orkney’s cruise ship industry generates almost £3.1 million for the local economy each year, with each cruise passenger spending on average around £46 while onshore.