It’s been a busy start to the week, with two cruise ships calling at the Port of Poole on the same day!
The first of the two ships to arrive was the Corinthian belonging to Grand Circle Cruise Line, making the last of her seven calls to Poole this year.
Offering the finest in small-ship cruise travel, this all-suite, private yacht-like cruise ship accommodates only 100 guests. As no stranger to the Poole she’ll return in 2019 with a further six calls.
Second to arrive was Astoria, belonging to Cruise & Maritime Voyages, returning to port after a three-day round trip from Poole to Rouen, Honfleur and the River Seine.
At 160metres (525ft), Astoria is the largest cruise ship to have visited Poole’s new cruise berth, South Quay since it opened in May this year. She will visit Poole seven times in 2019.
Jim Stewart, CEO for Poole Harbour Commissioners commented “This was a first for the Port of Poole, we’ve never had 2 cruise ships in at the same time but it was all plain sailing on the day”
He added “Cruise ship calls to Poole have doubled in 2018 and, we are anticipating, they will double again in 2019. Our new cruise berth, South Quay, enables us to take advantage of the ever popular and rapidly expanding cruise ship market. This will bring much-valued revenue and opportunities to Poole’s economy and beyond.”