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Dublin
Port Company welcomed 2014’s final cruise liner – the Boudicca – to Dublin
today, and said that liners generated a major economic boost of €50 million
during 2014.
The ships carried over 135,000 passengers and crew to Ireland’s capital city
throughout 2014.
Boudicca departed Liverpool yesterday evening, carrying over 1,200 passengers
and crew, and taking its fourth ‘mini cruise’ to Dublin this month.
If you thought cruises were just for the summer, it turns out that this year
Dublin Port’s cruise season has been extended by an additional two months. This
is bringing visitors and revenue to the city at a key trading period.
Pat Ward, Head of Corporate Services, Dublin Port Company said: “The arrival of
winter cruises is a clear example of changing passenger patterns and demand for
Dublin as Ireland’s top cruise destination.”
He said the company is committed to investing in the necessary port
infrastructure, which will include longer, deeper berths envisaged under its ABR
Project. The plan is for this investment to give larger ships, including cruise
liners, the facilities they need to dock within “striking distance” of the city.
Lord Mayor of Dublin, Christy Burke, welcomed the Boudicca’s passengers at a
‘winter wonderland’ scene on the quayside.
Burke congratulated Dublin Port Company on its “tremendous work to promote and
cater for cruise tourism to Dublin”, and said he is confident that Dublin has
great potential to grow as |
