By
Rebecca Gibson |
ABP Southampton is to carry out a £6 million renovation of the Mayflower Cruise Terminal, one of its four dedicated cruise terminals in 2015.
As part of the £6 million renovation project, the port’s departure, check-in, security and passenger lounges will all be redesigned, as will the drop-off and pick-up areas. Inside, 100 tonnes of blockwork walls and floors will be replaced with 500 tonnes of steelwork frames, creating a 35,000 sq ft reception area. Other new amenities will include a 46-person elevator, ten toilet facilities and an HVAC system.
The investment follows a recent agreement with Carnival UK, which is one of the many Carnival Corporation & plc brands that pass through Southampton each year.
“Cruising out of Southampton forms the core part of our offering to the UK cruise market which in terms of volume is second only to the US,” said Steven Young, director of port services and government affairs at Carnival UK. “This particularly appeals to those who prefer not to fly and who appreciate the ability of being able to drive to the terminal door, hand their keys to a valet parker and then have their luggage delivered to them, for a stress-free travel experience.”
Each cruise ship turnaround brings an estimated £2 million to Southampton’s local economy.
“The benefits of the improvements will affect a much wider group than just those heading off on cruises,” said Nick Ridehalgh, director of ABP Southampton. “Businesses across the city, such as taxis, hotels and restaurants, all benefit from the cruise industry. We must ensure we continue to work with the cruise lines and their guests to ensure Southampton remains the UK cruise port of choice.”
More than 200 staff will work on this renovation project, which will take 22 weeks to complete. The revamped terminal will be opened in April, before the port’s summer cruise season opens.