Portland Port is expecting more than 112,000 passengers to visit this year on cruise ships in what it describes as another record breaking year as the industry recovers.
The port says with the 'dust finally starting to settle on the pandemic' it is looking to the future and taking big strides forward with a record breaking 62 ships expected to visit this year.
Yesterday saw the huge Norwegian Getaway, one of the largest cruise ships, call in.
Norwegian Getaway departing last night Picture: Zoe Ayton
The cruise season, which started on April 21 with the Hanseatic Inspiration making its maiden call to the port, will run through to November 14 with a visit by the AIDAvita.
General Manager Commercial, Ian McQuade said: “It is great to see the cruise industry bounce back so strongly following two years so severely disrupted by the pandemic. To have over 60 calls and 112,000 guests scheduled to visit Portland Port this season is a phenomenal result. It is particularly gratifying to welcome so many first time visitors."
He added: “Whilst it is always exciting to welcome new lines and new ships it is the continued support from the likes of Disney, Norwegian, Regent Seven Seas, Aida, Phoenix Reisen, Holland America and many others that proves we must be doing something right. We have built up strong relationships with all our cruise line customers and look forward to working with them in the future to further grow the port’s cruise business”.
MS Maud arriving at Portland this morning Picture: Zoe Ayton
Out of the 62 ships coming to the island this season, 11 are inaugural visits and require the traditional exchange of the plaques between the ship’s captain and the port representative.
In addition to the inaugural calls 2022 will also see Portland Port welcome many 'old friends'.
One of the port's returning visitors will be the Disney Magic on September 12.
A port spokesman said "With the return to more normal cruise operations, local businesses will once again be able to reap the economic reward that cruise passengers bring in, with the average spend per head for each visiting cruise passenger being around £80 in each port they visit."
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