Cruising Ahead

The Port of Tyne was recently named UK’s Best Port of Call and it continues to expand its cruise operations with a number of new cruise lines including the Port in their itineraries this year.

Cruise & Maritime Voyages are returning on six cruise calls with the majestic cruise ship Discovery. Established just four years ago, Cruise & Maritime Voyages are the UK’s fastest growing cruise line and 2013 is CMV’s fourth year of operating from the Port of Tyne.

Cruise holidays are enjoying a surge in popularity; and the number of people leaving UK ports on cruises rose 10% in 2012 to a new high of 962k. There was also a marked increase in the number of passengers visiting UK ports.

“Here at the Port of Tyne we celebrated a record 36 cruise calls last year which is a great achievement, not just for the Port but for the region too.

“The cruise and ferry business coming through the Port of Tyne added £54m to the economy last year and is supporting an estimated 1.8k tourism related jobs,” said Steven Harrison, Port of Tyne’s Chief Operating Officer.

The success of Cruise & Maritime Voyages is testament to the growth of cruise holidays and the Discovery is at the Port of Tyne today (24 July) to embark on a cruise to the North Cape and Land of the Midnight Sun.

“We know that embarking from local regional ports is really important to our customers, over 90% of which are from the UK.

“The facilities at the Port of Tyne provide easy passage for cruises to the Baltic Sea, Norwegian Fjords, Round Britain and the Western Mediterranean, and we are offering  six sailings from the Port of Tyne in 2014,” said Chris Coates, Cruise & Maritime Voyages, Commercial Director.

The Discovery is expected to set sail at 5pm form the Port of Tyne’s Northumbrian Quay in North Shields for an 11-night cruise.