Three cruise ships due to arrive with 6,500 passengers

A massive late-summer tourism boost is on the cards for Cork today with three cruise liners, carrying 6,500 passengers, scheduled to arrive in the harbour.

The largest liner, MSC Magnifica, is due to arrive first, berthing at the Cobh Cruise Terminal at 7.30am, with more than 3,500 on board.

She will be followed by the AIDAcara, due to berth at the Ringaskiddy Deepwater Berth at 8.30am.

And, to complete the busy day, the sails of the unique Sea Cloud 11 — a five-star cruise liner which combines the luxury of a cruise ship with the romantic atmosphere of a tall ship — will be seen in the lower harbour at 1.30pm when she drops anchor for the afternoon.

“The ability to accommodate multiple cruise calls in one day is testament to the excellent cruise facilities that Cork has to offer cruise line companies,” a spokesperson for the port said.

“Along with our world class tourism offerings throughout the region, we really have a unique selling point for cruise lines.

“The Port is committed to investing in the upgrade of our current facilities in Cobh and assessing the requirement of additional facilities as the cruise sector expands.”

By the end of the 2014 cruise season in early October, the Port of Cork will have welcomed 52 passenger ships. The number is down slightly on the 2013 figure but the cruise vessels which are calling this year are larger with higher passenger volumes.

For example, Princess Cruises’ newest ship, Royal Princess, will make her maiden call to Cork on September 19.

She is 330m long — three times the length of Thomond Park.

The port spokesperson said “this is the size and style of ship that the Port of Cork is targeting” for future cruise business.

The Port of Cork has Ireland’s only dedicated cruise berth at Cobh.

A full list of all vessels calling to the port is at www.portofcork.ie.