15 July 2018
The start of Portland Port’s cruise season was spectacular! The first ship of 2018 was the 20th visit by a Phoenix Reisen vessel, followed by the arrival of the enormous Norwegian Breakaway. It was the Norwegian Breakaway’s inaugural call to Portland Port and she is the largest ship to ever call at Portland Port.
Sunday 15th July has been another first for Portland Port, two ships from the same cruise line visiting on the same day; the Seven Seas Navigator and Seven Seas Explorer.
Ian McQuade said ‘It’s always exciting when we welcome two ships in one day, however this is unique and a first for Portland Port to have two ships from the same cruise line. They are both from the luxury cruise line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, which makes it even more special.’
Regent Seven Seas Cruises is the world’s most inclusive luxury experience; they have five ships in their fleet, offering cruises to more than 450 destinations around the world.
The ships were welcomed into Portland Harbour by the tug, Rufus Castle, spraying its water cannons.
As well as the port’s quayside welcome team, two of Weymouth BID’s Weyfarers were invited on board the Seven Seas Navigator to help passengers with their questions about the local area.
A large proportion of the passengers have booked to visit various places in Dorset, with the Dorset Seafood Festival in Weymouth and a glorious sunny day across the county, the passengers are in for a day to remember.
Portland Port pride themselves on giving the cruise passengers a fantastic send off, there is always live music from local groups and three shots fired from the Nothe Fort Artillery Volunteer’s canon.
The Dorset Rock Choir are performing for the Seven Seas Navigator and Weymouth Concert Brass Band are playing for the Seven Seas Navigator.
Portland Port’s cruise business is seeing a growth in luxury cruise lines, with the Oceania Marina, Seabourn Quest and Seven Seas Explorer having already visited this year.
The luxury cruise sector is also growing globally with growth plans anticipated for all the main luxury cruise lines as well as several other cruise lines looking to break in to this sector.