Cruise and Ferry Review - Summer/Spring 2020

2 4 6 An increasing number of cruise passengers are enjoying all that Wales offers. Suzanne Thomas, head of Cruise Wales, speaks to Lindsay James to explain why EUROPE: INTERV IEW Set sail for Wales T his year is set to be a momentous one for cruising in Wales. Passenger numbers in 2020 are forecast to rise by 12% – that translates to 59,000 people, not including crew, who will sail into one of the country’s six ports. The modern port of Fishguard, situated in the north of Pembrokeshire, is playing host to more ships than ever thanks to its new pontoon which allows for larger cruise ships to moor within the port. Its additional sheltered berth can also receive expedition-sized cruise vessels, so capacity is not an issue. “Seabourn’s Seabourn Quest, TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 2 and AIDA Cruises’ AIDAbella are just some of the ships calling into Fishguard this year,” explains Thomas. By April, the port of Holyhead will also have greater capacity, thanks to investment from the Tourism Investment Support Scheme to put right the damage to pontoons caused by Storm Emma in 2018 and to create a new tender facility. “Storm Emma wreaked devastating damage when it hit the marina,” Thomas says. “Work is well under way to restore the port to its former glory and to ensure that, like Fishguard, it can allow larger cruise ships to anchor. We are hoping that further expansive works at the port – such as our proposed plans for a multi-user berth – will allow for vessels up to 360 metres to visit in the future.” This is just the start of how the ports in Wales are welcoming more and more cruise passengers. The government-supported Regional Tourism Engagement Fund has recently invested in a new project called ‘on the crest of a wave’ which is run by Anglesey council. The initiative will help roll out NATURAL BEAUT Y Expedition cruises are very popular in Wales, taking in Lundy Island off Tenby, and Skomer Island, Ramsey and Skokholm off Fishguard. Out of Cardiff there’s Flat Holm and Steep Holm. Meanwhile, the Gower Peninsula near to Swansea, is an area of outstanding natural beauty, as is Snowdonia and much of the north Wales coast. Destination note: Photos: Crown copyright (2018) Visit Wales