Serene ships that are boosting city's wealth

THE ₤1.5M BONANZA ALREADY ENJOYED SET TO RISE AS MORE SHIPS SAIL IN...

- WILLIAM TELFORD

CRUISE ship visits have already seen £1.5 million sail into Plymouth's economy so far this year and the good news is that there's even more to come, as another five ships are due before the end of 2024.

Vessels stopping at Britain's Ocean City have brought thousands of visitors, many of them spending cash in Plymouth and the surrounding areas. The city welcomed seven cruise ship visits in 2022 but this year bookings doubled to 14, equating to a potential 10,500 passengers and more than 5,000 crew.

The ships range from smaller vessels with a capacity of fewer than 300 passengers to those carrying upwards of 1,500.

Plymouth's Cruise partnership of AB Ports, Cattewater Harbour, the City Centre and Waterfront Business Improvement districts and Plymouth City Council, along with a team of volunteer cruise ambassadors, all work together to attract and create a "world-class welcome experience" to the city for all the visiting cruise guests.

Here are the details of the cruise ships on their way to Plymouth:

SILVER SPIRIT

This £196m vessel is due to arrive in the Sound on Saturday, July 27, dropping anchor at 8am for a ninehour stay. The Silversea Cruises vessel was due to call in June but unfortunately had to abort the trip when the South West was hit by bad weather.