The port of Lerwick has broken its record for cruise ship visits but it is about to top that again in 2020.
The port of Lerwick yesterday welcomed its 99th cruise ship since March on the last day of the cruising season. The arrival of Fred Olsen’s Black Watch took the numbers for the season to that figure, eight more than the record set in 2018. It was on a 13-night northern Norway scenic islands voyage.
Bookings for 2020 could potentially break three records: 105 cruise ships are scheduled to call, the port will receive an estimated 92,000 passengers and more than four million gross tonnes of shipping.
It will receive 13 maiden calls – ships that have not visited before – including two newly-launched vessels, Ponant Cruises’ Le Bellot and Saga’s Spirit of Adventure.
The 2020 season will also include a larger number of mid-sized vessels compared with 2019.
Melanie Henderson, Lerwick Port Authority’s cruise and marketing manager, said: “The signs are very positive for growth again next year with an encouraging number of cruise lines scheduling repeat calls in the season and three new cruise lines visiting for the first time – Carnival, Mystic and TUI.”
Lerwick’s 2019 cruise season had a number of cancellations because of external factors, such as weather en-route and operational changes, with a final passenger count of over 76,200.
Henderson added: “Call-offs to scheduled visits are disappointing for the passengers and everyone involved onshore, particularly when the causes are beyond our control.
“Lerwick and Shetland’s reputation as a must-see destination is as strong as ever, with a number of accolades in 2019 and bookings up to four years ahead.
“The supply and service sector in the islands is making an increasingly important contribution in meeting the industry’s requirements and encouraging operators to return.”
