Liverpool raising its cruise hopes

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mersey.jpgThe bunting has been out in Liverpool during the past week as the ship celebrated the maiden visit of Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth, and welcomed back Queen Mary 2 to the Mersey.
The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and a brace of choirs supported soprano Lesley Garrett in front of 2,000 guests at a celebratory concert in the city’s Anglican Cathedral, and loyal fans like Carol Thatcher, Falkland hero Simon Weston, Coronation Street’s Roy Barraclough spoke of their fondness for Cunard.
With the ship berthed in the shadow of the Cunard Building – one of Liverpool’s renowned Three Graces – company president Peter Shanks was even persuaded to speculate about the possibility of his ships operating cruises from the Mersey instead of just visiting for the day.
The chances are remote.
Liverpool City Council has applied to the government for restrictions to be removed from its Pier Head terminal so it can be used for turnarounds. They face a campaign led by rival port Southampton, whose Chamber of Trade organised a 12,000-signature petition protesting against the Liverpool development.
Public funding for the development of Liverpool’s pier was made on the basis it would only be used for day visits. The city has offered to re-pay £5 million of the £21 million grant if it is given permission for turnarounds.
At present the only other turnaround facilities at the north-west port are at Langton Dock, where the scenery includes a mountain of scrap metal, and whose inadequate facilities have led Fred Olsen Cruise Line to announce it plans to withdraw its ships.
The north-south battle could rumble on for a while; it may be the end of the year before the government announces its decision .

By | 2017-06-15T16:00:01+00:00 16 September 2011|Cruise Destinations, Cruise News|4 Comments

About the Author:

John Honeywell is a travel writer specialising in cruise ships and cruise travel. Winner of CLIA UK's Contribution to Cruise award 2017.

4 Comments

  1. Alwyn 16 September 2011 at 8:58 pm - Reply

    Good luck Liverpool!

  2. Neil 17 September 2011 at 7:39 pm - Reply

    Southampton cruise liner terminal was built entirely by public money when the docks had been nationalised, Southamton’s argument is spurious. Why should someone in Glasgow have to travel to the south coast if they want to cruise from the UK? The present situation is a cartel and needs breaking up.

  3. Dave Chapman 19 September 2011 at 3:55 am - Reply

    As a Liverpudlian living in Canada I think it is fantastic with what has happened for tourism in Mersey side and a full cruise terminal would be the icing on the cake. Southampton was built with public money and then sold off cheap. The North West needs a good port and we have one in Liverpool with a fantastic waterfront and a city full of character,history and interests. People will come in there thousands to see it. It has to be a go for the terminal anything else is a crime.

  4. Dave Chapman 19 September 2011 at 3:56 am - Reply

    As a Liverpudlian living in Canada I think it is fantastic with what has happened for tourism in Mersey side and a full cruise terminal would be the icing on the cake. Southampton was built with public money and then sold off cheap. The North West needs a good port and we have one in Liverpool with a fantastic waterfront and a city full of character,history and interests. People will come in there thousands to see it. It has to be a go for the terminal anything else is a crime.

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