70 ASSOCIATION HIGHLIGHTS: INTERVIEW Exploring the land of song Suzanne Thomas of Cruise Wales gives Rebecca Gibson an insight into how the association is working with tourism businesses to develop innovative excursions for cruise guests in Wales What does it mean to be Welsh? Cruise Wales is collaborating closely with tourism businesses across Wales to create a myriad of immersive shore excursions enabling cruise guests to experience the country’s culture, history, nature and gastronomy and answer that question for themselves. Each visit starts with what Suzanne Thomas, head of Cruise Wales, describes as an “authentic warm Welsh welcome” when passengers arrive at one of the country’s six cruise ports: Cardiff, Fishguard, Holyhead, Milford Haven and Pembroke, Newport and Swansea. “Guests are welcomed to the ‘land of song’ with a musical performance by either a local male choir or schoolchildren who are sometimes accompanied by a Welsh harpist,” says Thomas. “All the ports involve music and locals in greeting cruise visitors to immediately immerse them in our culture and showcase the ‘real’ Wales.” Locals also play a key role in delivering many of the onshore experiences across the country. “The community is eager to welcome passengers ashore,” says Thomas. “Our home visits programme is particularly popular in Fishguard, where the locals invite cruise guests into their houses to hear the Welsh language and see how a typical family lives.” Another local, farmer and television personality Gareth Wyn Jones, has introduced a new experience at his farm in the foothills of the Carneddau mountains in north Wales. “Gareth invites small groups to watch sheepdog training demonstrations and takes them to Dinas, a Bronze Age fortress behind his farm,” says Thomas. “He can also show them the world’s only remaining Carneddau ponies. It’s a fully immersive experience that gives an insight into the history of farming in Wales.” Elsewhere in north Wales, cruise guests arriving at Holyhead can join Anglesey Fishing Trips for fishing or sightseeing voyages to South Stack, North Stack and the Skerries, or arrange private charters along the coastline. Visitors can also taste seafood and other locally sourced produce at multiple cafes and restaurants. Photo: Jake Lea-Wilson Cruise guests can bathe in a barrel of seawater overlooking the Menai Strait at Halen Môn in Anglesey, which won a TripAdvisor’s Choice award in 2024
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