12 June 2017
This weekend Portsmouth International Port welcomed the longest cruise ship ever to visit the Great Waterfront City.
At just under 240 metres long, the luxurious Crystal Symphony is now the largest cruise liner to have called at Portsmouth International Port. Investment in longer berths in recent years meant the vessel could safely and easily dock, with 800 passengers able to quickly get ashore and explore world class attractions in the City.
Crystal Cruises is renowned for offering a Six Star experience to passengers, who travel in the most luxurious of surroundings. The 50,000-ton Crystal Symphony has recently emerged from her longest-ever makeover. The multi-million-dollar programme created spacious new suites and penthouses, new and expanded dining options with open seating, and added more state-of-the-art technologies including free, unlimited Wi-Fi.
The impressive liner cruised past the Spinnaker Tower and Historic Dockyard at lunchtime on Friday 9 June, at the end of a cruise around the British and Irish coastline. It is the first time that Crystal has chosen Portsmouth International Port, either as a port of call or as a turnaround facility. The cruise team at Portsmouth had been working closely with Crystal to make sure every single detail was perfect for passengers. Guests spent their last night of the cruise alongside at Portsmouth International Port, before disembarking for the journey home.
Portsmouth International Port has become well known for offering first class and flexible services to cruise operators, and benefits from excellent connections with the UK road and rail network. This is crucial for passengers, who also get to experience dedicated cruise facilities in the award winning terminal building.
Rupert Taylor, Harbour Master at Portsmouth International Port, said, “I’m delighted that Crystal has chosen Portsmouth International Port. We have worked hard to gain a reputation as a destination for small and medium sized luxury liners, and Crystal Symphony is one of the most highly rated cruise ships in the world. I’m sure this visit will be the first of many in the future for Crystal, as we look to build the cruise business at Portsmouth International Port and bring more visitors to our wonderful city.”
The crew of Crystal Symphony took full advantage of a wide range of turnaround services at Portsmouth International Port, as the ship was readied to depart on its next voyage. Passengers checking in for the “Baltic Legends” cruise on Saturday were entertained by a jazz duo in the stunning glass and steel terminal, before being taken to their luxury accommodation onboard.
Crystal Symphony left Portsmouth International Port on Saturday evening (10th June) bound for Zeebrugge. Other overnight stops on the memorable two week holiday include: Copenhagen, Warnemunde (for Berlin), St. Petersburg and Stockholm, the final call perfectly timed for Sweden’s Midsummer Eve.