Tourism chiefs seeking to capitalise on rising cruise numbers

A record number of cruise ship passengers will disembark in Cork next year, up 15% on this year and worth an estimated €21m to the economy.

The cruise ship business has almost doubled since 2005.

Bigger ships will arrive in Cork next year, which accounts for the significant boost in passenger figures.

Captain Michael McCarthy, commercial manager with the Port of Cork, said 62 liners had booked to visit Cork in 2013.

“Because the deep water quay in Cobh is a dedicated cruise liner berth, we are now capitalising on it because it can take the largest vessels,” said Capt McCarthy. “Next year we will see the bigger ships from Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises docking there. Some of them can hold up to 3,500 passengers.”

It is expected that 90,000 passengers and 30,000 crew will arrive in Cork next year, which is a record.

Capt McCarthy said it is estimated that each passengers spends on average €73 locally per day.

Pre-paid excursions on tour buses, visits to tourism sites and so on adds another €160 per person.

In total, the average spend is €233 per head and this equates to nearly €21m.

Capt McCarthy said moves were afoot through the Cork City Tourism, Events, Arts and Marketing (Team) initiative to capitalise further in the years ahead on the cruise line business.

“The Team initiative, under the direction of the city council’s Damien O’Mahony, hopes to stage more events in the city

centre to cater for cruise line passengers,” he said.

He made his comments yesterday as the last of this season’s cruise ships, MV Adonia, arrived in Cork.

“Some of the liners calling next year will stay overnight and at least 10 liners will make their maiden call to Cork,” said Capt McCarthy. “For the first time ever, Europe’s largest cruise liner, Independence of the Seas, will welcome passengers to embark at Cobh next June and September for a 12-night cruise around the Norwegian Fjords. This initiative, which is exclusive to Lee Travel, is a major coup for Cork.

“We know from our meetings with the cruise lines that Cork and the Munster region are a very popular destination for passengers due to the exciting range of shore excursions on offer and the warm welcome they receive here, which is second to none.

“We want to grow the number of cruise calls to 80 over the next five years and to increase turn-around calls and overnight stays to generate even further revenue for the region.”

All cruise liners that called to Cork over the course of the season were given a special welcome courtesy of CorkCruise.

It sent tourist representatives onboard each vessel, organised displays of traditional Irish dancing for passengers and bade them fond farewell on the quayside with a performances by a local brass band.