By
Cherie Rowlands |
Voyages of Discovery’s new ship, Voyager, is undergoing the final stages of a month-long refit – a first at Portland Port in Dorset, UK – before embarking on her maiden Caribbean cruise on 4 December.
“The countdown is well and truly on with just a few weeks to go until the launch of Voyager. The recently arrived in Portland Port to undergo the remainder of the refurbishment project which includes finalising the design of the ship’s interior and public areas,” Voyages of Discovery managing director Alan Murray said. “Being a British company it is very important to us that we do all we can to support the UK economy. With this in mind we wished to appoint British contractors to do the refurbishment work and Portland was the ideal location for that work to be undertaken.”
Although the Portland has seen a steady increase in the number of cruise calls during summer 2012, the 556-berth Voyager refit marks a new opportunity for the port. “We have been delighted at how we have established ourselves with the cruise lines as an attractive port of call. The visit of Voyager shows that we are also being recognised as an ideal location for the refurbishment of cruise ships,” Portland Port commercial general manager Ian McQuade said. “With an ever-expanding global cruise fleet, this market is set to grow. While the refit of the Voyager may be a first for Portland Port we anticipate that it will not be the last.”
International outfitting company, Mivan, has undertaken the revamp which includes the new Scott’s Lounge and Explorer Club speciality restaurant, as part of a newly introduced ship-wide explorer theme. McQuade said: “This is the first time that both Voyages of Discovery and Mivan have used Portland Port for such activity and I am happy to say that they have both been impressed with the support that they have received.”