On cruise control
Troon to become stop- off destination for luxury liner
the twin sea ports of troon and ayr have been given a double boost.
The luxury cruise liner Hebridean Princess has confirmed four visits to Troon next year.
Next week port owners ABP will launch a powerful pilot boat which can nudge larger ships into berths at both harbours.
The Hebridean Princess confirmed the new schedule after amazing passenger reaction to a visit to Prince Charles’ Dumfries House.
It will stop in Troon twice in March and twice in November and port boss Stuart Cresswell believes it could trigger more cruise liners.
He said: “The reason she is coming is the quality of the attractions.
“We have Dumfries House, Burns and Culzean Castle, which are all world class.
“We promote our ports at the annual cruise conference in Miami in May and the industry does look at what the competition is doing.
“So other smaller cruise lines will see what the Hebridean Princess has scheduled. And we are certainly in the market for more.”
Troon has been included on two tours, the ‘ Sea Lochs of the Lower Clyde’, and ‘ Architectural Gems of Argyll and The Isles’. In the lochs tour, Culzean Castle and Burns in Alloway are on the itinerary, with a full day and lunch at Dumfries House on the architectural gems. Cabins for these six night trips cost between £ 2650 and £ 6060 all inclusive including champagne on tap. Previous passengers have included the entire Royal Family including The Queen, Sean Connery, Jackie Stewart and Chris de Burgh. The 30- cabin ship was transformed from an old Cal Mac ferry in 1989 and has the feel of a country house. Meanwhile, ABP will launch their £ 700,000 new harbour pilot boat this Wednesday, November 22, at Troon. She replaces the 25- year- old Lady Kyle which will now be sold off. The 45- footer – six feet longer than Lady Kyle and twice the weight – has a five ton pushing capacity and 600hp engine power. Stuart Cresswell said: “This is a far more meaty, capable vessel and can push ships into berth in poor weather. “The general trend in vessels is to get larger so the challenges of berthing 25 years ago have changed. “We are a relatively remote port so to have capability o n - s i t e i s required.”