BUSY DAY FOR CORK HARBOUR AS THREE CRUISE LINERS CALL IN ONE DAY

Crew members of the Voyager departing Cobh after a recent visit. – Photo: Mike Bardsley

Over 6,500 passengers and crew set to arrive in Cork on visiting cruise liners

Tomorrow (Thursday, 21 August 2014) the Port of Cork will welcome three cruise liners to Cork Harbour, bringing a combined total of 6,500 passengers and crew to the region.

The largest liner, “MSC Magnifica” will be first to arrive, berthing at Cobh Cruise Terminal at 7.30am with over 3,500 passengers on board. She will be followed by the arrival of “AIDACara” at Ringaskiddy Deepwater Berth at 8.30am. Finally, the sails of the unique “Sea Cloud 11” cruise liner will be seen in the lower harbour at 1.30pm when she drops anchor for the afternoon.

“The ability to accommodate multiple cruise calls in one day is testament to the excellent cruise facilities that Cork has to offer cruise line companies. Along with our world class tourism offerings throughout the region, we really have a unique selling point for cruise lines. The Port is committed to investing in the upgrade of our current facilities in Cobh and assessing the requirement of additional facilities as the cruise sector expands.”

By the close of the 2014 in early October, the Port of Cork will have welcomed a total of 52 cruise ships to the port. Despite the number of calls being slightly lower than 2013, the cruise vessels calling in 2014 are larger and have higher passenger volumes such as Princess Cruises newest ship “Royal Princess” which will make her maiden call to Cork on 19th September. At 330 metres in length (over 3 times the length of Thomond Park), this is the size and style of ship that the Port of Cork are endeavouring to attract in the future.

The Port of Cork is currently home to Ireland’s only dedicated cruise berth in Cobh and all vessels calling to the port are listed at www.portofcork.ie