February started with a blaze of lights, camera, action for Cruise Liverpool with the announcement that the naming ceremony for Queen Anne will take place in Cunard’s spiritual home in June. AIDA ships have kicked off the season for two Cruise Britain member ports Port of Dover and Portland Port & Portland Harbour Authority Ltd, UK. AIDAsol pulled up to Portland’s new deep water berth for the first of five calls; AIDAluna comes into Dover next week, the first of 21 cruise lines to come into the port this year. Moving north, Port of Tyne started 2024 with Fred Olsen Cruise Lines’ Balmoral operating Newcastle’s first turnround of the season. Up in Scotland, Port of Aberdeen regional economic contribution is forecast to be £4.5m this year for cruise with over 130% cruise growth since 2022. Back on the south coast, Portsmouth International Port have announced that ABB is appointed primary contractor for the Sea Change project charged with delivering operational shore power in 2025. Destination Plymouth will see a 40% uptick in cruise arrivals this year for the city with the Cruise Plymouth Partnership working hard behind the scenes. And a final note that Ambassador Cruise Line continues to work with ORCA (Organisation Cetacea), as do other cruise lines, to support the monitoring of the 25 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises that call the British Isles home. Just goes to show that everyone can need a little help to look after their home. Read all about it https://bit.ly/3UkE19F Angie Redhead John Mawer Peter Wright Sonia Limbrick Ian McQuade Tracey Younger Marlene Mitchell Ian Diaper Andrew Williamson Elly Toyer Stephen Watkyns Amanda Lumley Glen Gardner Steve Jones Bob McGowan Picture credits: Cunard. AIDA Cruises. Fred Olsen Cruise Lines.
