Record season of cruise liners

A record-breaking cruise liner season for Orkney has come to a close with the departure of the final vessel of the year, the Marco Polo.

Between March and this month, 146,000 passengers arrived at Kirkwall aboard 144 ships – 10 more than in 2017 – and harbour chiefs are preparing for an even busier year in 2019.

“Orkney’s popularity as a marine tourism destination has a very positive outlook,” said Michael Morrison, business development manager with Orkney Islands Council’s marine services department.

“With berthing requests as far ahead as 2023 for cruise lines wishing to book Scotland’s longest deepwater commercial berth at Hatston, the 2019 season already has 155 port calls confirmed, and 98 calls booked for 2020.

“There is a mood change with some cruise lines now offering an allinclusive package with tours booked as part of the cabin fee.”

On a number of occasions during the latest season up to three cruise ships of varying sizes arrived in Orkney on the same day.

Next July, Orkney will welcome the maiden call of the Spirit of Adventure from Saga, the first of two new ships the company will bring to the market in the next two years.

Cruise lines also expected to visit in future with their new luxury explorer class vessels include the French company Ponant and Norwegian company Hurtigruten.

There were fewer visits to by large-capacity liners this year but more by vessels carrying between 1,000 and 2,000 people. MSC Meraviglia, with 5,000 passengers, visited in May.

“The 2019 season has 155 port calls confirmed”