25 March 2022
The UK’s first shore power facility for cruise ships will be utilised at Associated British Ports (ABP) Southampton this year, while maiden calls are scheduled at ABP Cruise ports throughout the year.
‘ABP Cruise’s ports and destinations offer something for everyone and bring economic value across the UK, so we are thrilled to see such a comprehensive programme for 2022,’ said Rebekah Keeler, head of cruise, Associated British Ports. ‘ABP continues to invest in its cruise infrastructure, including Southampton’s shore power, LNG bunkering, solar energy, new Horizon Cruise Terminal and air bridges.’
UK’s first shore power facility for cruise ships
Southampton will see both its shore power facility commissioned and seven cruise ships make their maiden calls at the port this year. This includes five brand new cruise ships: AIDA Cruises’ AIDAcosma and Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Prima, both fitted with shore power connectivity, LNG-powered P&O Cruises’ Arvia, Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Beyond and Princess Cruises’ Enchanted Princess.
The port will also host Silversea Cruises’ Silver Moon and Azamara will make its Southampton debut with Azamara Onward.
In addition, there are calls from port regulars such as Cunard’s Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary 2, MSC Cruises’ MSC Virtuosa, Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas and Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Silhouette. Fred Olsen Cruise Line will also sail from Southampton.
Cardiff and Plymouth
ABP Plymouth will see the return of Disney Magic in September and welcome Seabourn’s Seabourn Ovation, Phoenix Reisen’s Amadea and Holland America Line’s Rotterdam, as well as private residential ship The World. Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and Noble Caledonia will also run itineraries from Plymouth.
Hebridean Island Cruises’ Hebridean Princess returns to Cardiff in August after operating a series of turnaround cruises there in 2021.
Hull
The Port of Hull will receive Phoenix Reisen for the first time as Amadea makes its maiden call in June.
Two million passengers predicted
ABP Cruise is set to welcome over 2m passengers during 2022. Some 239 passenger ship operations took place at Southampton in 2021 and ABP’s Wales and Short Sea ports had an overall increase in cruise calls from 2019 levels.
Concluded Keeler, ‘As an industry, everyone has come together to navigate challenges and adapt to new ways of working. Together we will continue to meet evolving requirements and create excellent guest experiences, ensuring we welcome new and returning passengers through the year.’