By
Alice Chambers |
Lerwick Port Authority in Scotland is preparing for its busiest cruise season to date with 145 calls scheduled for 2023.
The port expects to receive over 100,000 passengers during the season, which will begin with the arrival of National Geographic Expeditions’ National Geographic Explorer on 2 March and end with AIDA Cruises’ AIDAluna on 11 October.
Returning visitors this year will include AIDA Cruises, which has 16 calls planned for this year; Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines which will visit nine times; Ponant, which will make 12 calls; and Viking Ocean Cruises, which has scheduled 19 calls.
The port will also welcome 21 maiden calls this season, including from new ships Swan Hellenic’s SH Diana and Scenic: Luxury Cruises & Tours’ Scenic Eclipse II. The largest ship to dock will be Norwegian Cruise Line’s 146,000gt Norwegian Getaway, which is due on 23 September.
“Not only are we continuing to make a strong comeback above pre-Covid-19 levels, but the number of repeat visits and the first-time arrivals also reflect the popularity of Lerwick and Shetland as a destination which helps support the island’s important tourism network,” said Melanie Henderson, cruise manager at Lerwick Port Authority.
Guests onboard the six cruise ships that are due to call between 26 and 29 July will be able to watch the Tall Ships Races.