As the cruise season kicks off, the Cruise Belfast Initiative, a partnership between Belfast Visitor and…
As the cruise season kicks off, the Cruise Belfast Initiative, a partnership between Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau (BVCB) and the Port of Belfast has announced that two major operators, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises will be adding the city to their ports of call for the first time this year.
The City will welcome passengers and crew from the Jewel of the Seas on 25 June and 31 July, with the Celebrity Cruises liner the Constellation docking here on 21 July and 11 September.
Thirteen cruise ships in total are due to dock in Belfast throughout the summer months bringing around 27,000 passengers and crew in total to the city. With passengers booked to take tours in Belfast and throughout Northern Ireland, over £4.5 million is expected be generated for the local economy.
Gerry Lennon, Chief Executive of the Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau was delighted to launch the 2004 cruise season with the news that Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises had added Belfast to their itinerary.
“Visits by cruise ships to Belfast are becoming increasingly important to the local economy and this success is a tribute to the work of the Cruise Belfast Initiative. We look forward to welcoming Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises to Belfast for the first time this year, along with a number of other major cruise companies.
“By the end of the summer, 13 luxury liners will have docked in the city bringing almost three times more cruise visitors to the city when compared to last year. This offers a tremendous opportunity for us to show people across the world that Belfast is a vibrant, interesting and welcoming place to visit and also gives us the chance through day trips and excursions to show what the rest of Northern Ireland has to offer. Our hope is that as in previous years, those who visit this year will return in the future,” he added.
“The attractions and facilities we now have on offer have seen Belfast emerge as one of the most popular cruise
destinations in the Northern European cruise itinerary and we will keep working to build on the success we have had so far,” he concluded.
Joe O`Neill, Port Manager of the Port of Belfast, said that the announcement of Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises coming to Belfast will provide a further boost to a busy summer cruise season.
“We are delighted to be welcoming the Jewel of the Seas and the Constellation to Belfast for the first time, particularly as each vessel is due to dock here twice. Our ability to attract big players in the cruise industry confirms Belfast as a major port of call in the cruise circuit. We are working hard to ensure the success of the Cruise Belfast Initiative for 2004 and beyond.”
2004 Belfast cruise itinerary (subject to change)
Date Operator Ship
Fri 25 June Royal Caribbean Jewel of the Seas
Sun 4 July Princess Cruises Royal Princess
Wed 21 July Celebrity Cruises Constellation
Fri 30 July Holland America Line Prinsendam
Sat 31 July Royal Caribbean Jewel of the Seas
Tue 3 August Hapag-Lloyd Europa
Fri 6 August Deilmann Reederei Deutschland
Sat 7 August Deilmann Reederei MS Berlin
Wed 1 Sept- Thurs 2nd Sept Peace Boat The Topaz
Wed 1 Sept Plantours & Partner Vistimar
Thu 2 Sept Princess Cruises Grand Princess
Sat 11 Sept Celebrity Cruises Constellation
Tue 21 Sept Holland America Line Rotterdam
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
