Cruises bring £6m boost to city tourism
Liverpool will receive 20 cruise ships during this year's cruise season, which begins on Thursday with the arrival of Fred Olsen's largest and newest ship, the Balmoral.
The 20 liners have the capacity to bring 30,000 passengers to the city during the next five months. Liverpool's cruise season is expected to generate more than £6m for the city's economy.
Liverpool City Council's cabinet member for culture and tourism, Cllr Wendy Simon, said: "Liverpool's cruise offer continues to go from strength to strength, with our fantastic cruise facility enabling us to welcome some of the world's most impressive liners to our city.
"This year's cruise season is set to be one of the best yet, with vessels from all over the world bringing tens of thousands of visitors to enjoy our many visitor attractions, bars and restaurants.
"It's bringing a huge boost to our economy, and helping cement our position as a first-class tourist destination."
Sailing into Liverpool for the 2012 cruise season are:
- 5 April: Balmoral
- 15 April: Marco Polo
- 16 April: Saga Pearl*
- 17 May: Vision of the Seas
- 30 May: Caribbean Princess*
- 11 June: Caribbean Princess*
- 16 June: Aida Cara*
- 22 June: Arcadia
- 3 July: Saga Sapphire*
- 12 July: Caribbean Princess*
- 20 July: Prisendam
- 28 July: Quest for Adventure*
- 3 August: Queen Elizabeth
- 8 August: Astor
- 9 August: Caribbean Princess*
- 10 August: Adonia*
- 17 August: Prisendam
- 20 August: Aida Cara*
- 9 September: Queen Mary 2
- 14 September: Albatross*
*= inaugural visit
