New passenger figures confirm Invergordon as Scotland's leading cruise port
THE port of Invergordon on the Cromarty Firth has been confirmed as Scotland’s leading cruise liner destination and is the third busiest in the UK, behind Guernsey and Dover.
New figures released this week by Cruise Britain show that in 2013 the Easter Ross port handled 89,772 transit passengers, slightly behind Dover, which handled 97,067.
The statistics have been made public just two weeks before Invergordon is poised to start its 2014 season, which promises to be another bumper summer and the third best year for cruise tourism in the port’s history.
The cruise season gets under way on Sunday, April 6, when the Marco Polo berths in the Cromarty Firth, the first of 56 cruise ships set to visit between April and September 2014.
Seven maiden voyages will be paid to Invergordon this year, including a visit by the Queen Victoria, due to berth on May 26.
The Ruby Princess is set to be largest ship, carrying 3,200 passengers. It will pay its maiden call to the port on May 19 and will visit on nine occasions during the season.
In a further highlight, there will be three cruise ships in port at the same time, firstly on May 26, on a day which will also host the Queen Victoria, and again on August 16.
Bob Buskie, CEO of Cromarty Firth Port Authority, said: “The release of these figures by Cruise Britain are of incredible importance, not just to the skilled team here of pilots and marine crew, working to make the statistics a reality, but they are so important for the towns and businesses that benefit directly and indirectly from the tourism brought to the Highlands through this port.
“For Invergordon to be the third busiest cruise transit port in the UK and Scotland’s leading cruise facility demonstrates how strategically important the Cromarty Firth is for Scotland and is a great testament to the dedication and hard work by Captain Iain Dunderdale, our cruise development manager.”
Captain Dunderdale manages Cruise Highlands, a joint venture between the Cromarty Firth Port Authority and Bannerman’s of Tain. He has recently returned from the 30th annual cruise shipping conference and exhibition in Miami.
“We have benefited from the trend of larger cruise ships, capable of carrying thousands of passengers,” said Capt Dunderdale.
“We also benefit from the depth of water available and sheltered conditions. Added to this is the Highland welcome, our proximity to world class tourism destinations and the welcome given by residents of Invergordon itself, who are rightly proud.”
The 2014 season is set to run until September 12, when the Azores, another new ship to the firth, will be last visitor before the winter.
