19 September, 2008

WITH THE largest cruise liner ever due to call at Lerwick harbour this morning (Friday), the port ends the tourist season on a high and on course for nautical milestones next year.

The 93,502 gross tonne Norwegian Jewel with 2,000 passengers on board is due to anchor off Lerwick as of 8am.

Her arrival will bring the total number of cruise liner visits this summer to 41, fewer than originally envisaged. Total passenger numbers are down by 10 per cent to 16,500.

Lerwick Port Authority chief executive Sandra Laurenson said the Norwegian Jewel made for a great end to the season, which had it ups and down due to some late cancellations.

She added: "However, there are very positive signs for next year, with 33 vessels already booked - including the largest ships yet. We're confident we'll pass 40 again, with passenger numbers well up."

The 2009 season will rewrite the port's history books with the 1,000th cruise ship to call at the Shetland port and the arrival of the first cruise ships over 100,000 gross tonnes.

Bookings include two visits by the Costa Magica (102,587 gross tonnes), followed by the Crown Princess at 113,651 gross tonnes.

She added that the port authority would continue to market the harbour's facilities and services, and plans to attend major industry events in Miami in March and Hamburg in September.