During the upcoming Easter weekend, Port Lerwick is set to welcome its first cruise ship of 2024, marking the beginning of what is anticipated to be a record-breaking influx of vessels at the Shetland port throughout the season.
MS Ambition, operated by the UK-based Ambassador Cruise Line, is scheduled to arrive on Saturday, March 30th, as part of its 11-night "Easter British Isles Discovery" itinerary out of homeport Tilbury-London.
The 1999-built/2023-refurbished vessel has LOA length 709 ft/216 m, volume/gross tonnage 48123 tons, passenger capacity 1200, 13 passenger decks, 624 passenger staterooms. It will dock at Mair’s Pier East and is expected to make an additional 4 visits to Lerwick in the summer months.
Melanie Henderson (Lerwick Port Authority's Cruise & Marketing Manager) emphasized the significant impact of the cruise industry on Shetland's tourism sector, citing the projected arrival of 149 cruise ships by mid-November, collectively amounting to 6.9 million gross tonnes and accommodating an estimated 130,000 passengers. Henderson highlighted the economic benefits brought by these visits, including job opportunities, increased activity at local attractions and venues, and enhanced business prospects for the community.
The Port Authority offers a comprehensive meet-and-greet service, with staff stationed at the quaysides to welcome disembarking passengers from berthed vessels or tendered arrivals from larger anchored ships. This service includes shuttle buses to and from the Town Centre and special receptions for maiden calls.
Notable events in the upcoming season include 11 maiden calls, notably the arrival of MSC Virtuosa in May, marking the largest cruise ship to visit Lerwick in a single season, boasting a GT/volume of 181,541 and accommodating between 4000-6000 passengers.