Cunard Head to Holyhead, Anglesey this Summer as Cruise Tourism Becomes 'Big Business' in Wales

28th February 2023

More than half of the cruise ships visiting Wales this year will be in Holyhead, where the first caller to the port is to be Viking Venus on 6 April. AFLOAT adds, this cruiseship is also to make another first call this season to Dun Laoghaire Harbour which is take place on the previous day. Credit: Belfast Harbour-facebook

Cruisecalls among them from Cunard Line is to visit the Port of Holyhead, Anglesey this summer as the tourism sector booms in Wales.

This year the country is due to welcome a record 91 cruiseships to date, with Holyhead port leading the way with more than half of the total calling to the port.

Across the Irish Sea, as Afloat reported Dun Laoghaire Harbour (alone is to pip the Welsh national total) with 92 cruise visits booked this season so far to visit the Irish harbour, though no 'Cunarders' are scheduled to call this year.

Holyhead, however will have the prestigious MS Queen Victoria which is scheduled to dock on 4 June, its first call at the deep water jetty (acquired, see story) under Stena Line’s ownership. The Vista class 16-deck ship, is likened to a sea liner because of its interior decor, and the Italian built cruiseship (a sister of Queen Elizabeth), is capable of carrying almost 2,100 passengers as well as 900 crew.

The “cruise is big business in Wales” and this is where the Welsh Government has been working with Cruise Wales – a partnership between the country’s six cruise ports. Asides Holyhead, Afloat adds all these ports are all in south Wales, they are Fishguard, Pembroke Dock (Milford Haven), Swansea, Cardiff and Newport.

To promote the sector, Cruise Wales is develop new onshore tour itineraries for passengers and also to showcase the nation’s attractions. Examples of these new breed of itineraries include the themes of ‘Coal, Coin and Cheers’ with tours throughout south Wales.

In total this year Wales is to see 80,000 passengers and 39,000 crew, this equates to a potential passenger day spend income of £8.3 million.

The first call of the 2023 season to Holyhead will be Viking Venus on 6 April and on the same day Spitzbergen is scheduled to visit Fishguard.

Holyhead is to welcome more than half the nation’s total with 53 calls.

The call by Viking Venus is to take place following a visit to Dun Laoghaire Harbour which opens the season for the Irish port and this will involve an anchorage call.

About The Author

Jehan Ashmore

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Jehan Ashmore is a marine correspondent, researcher and photographer, specialising in Irish ports, shipping and the ferry sector serving the UK and directly to mainland Europe. Jehan also occasionally writes a column, 'Maritime' Dalkey for the (Dalkey Community Council Newsletter) in addition to contributing to UK marine periodicals.

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