Wales Enjoying Cruise Industry Growth

With more cruise ships visiting Wales than ever before, the country recorded an economic windfall from the cruise industry of £2.4million in 2013. The final figure for 2014 is expected to be even larger with increased excursions to the ports of Wales.

English, German and North America cruise companies have all included Wales in the itineraries of their cruise ships throughout 2014 and more than 30 cruise calls to the country are expected to be made in 2015. Large ships including the Celebrity Silhouette and members of the Regent Seven Seas and Oceania fleets are scheduled to visit Welsh ports in 2015.

Suzanne Thomas, cruise manager Wales, enthused:“This is an incredibly important development in Wales’ cruise agenda and operators are beginning to realise how much we can offer cruise passengers. This year we have already welcomed over 20,000 cruise passengers to Wales and we have initiated special workshops and training to ensure that we can deliver new and exciting products for cruise passengers, as well as providing the cruise lines themselves with the facilities they need.”

The major coastal cities and rolling, unspoiled countryside of Wales make it ideal for cruise excursions. Holyhead, Newport, Cardiff, Swansea, Milford Haven and Pembroke will all play host to major cruise ships throughout 2015 as the country looks to increase revenue from its cruise industry.

Images sourced via Flickr Creative Commons. Credits: Bert Kaufmann, Kosala Bandara