One of the 海角视频’s leading cruise operators is to start voyages from Plymouth – creating a potential economic boost for the city.
Essex-headquartered Cruise and Maritime Voyages has confirmed four sailings from Britain’s Ocean City in 2021 to Holland, Belgium, France, Spain, Portugal, Russia, Morocco and other countries.
The company will use the famous Marco Paolo vessel, which has visited Plymouth before roi travel to destinations such as Rotterdam and St Petersburg, and it is understood that if the voyages are a hit then the city could see more journeys starting from the city.
Plymouth is already a stop-off point for cruise ships with at least 12 visits expected in 2020. But Cruise and Maritime Voyages will be starting trips from Millbay Docks, with one set of passengers disembarking and a new group getting on board.
These “turnaround” voyages are expected to create an economic boost for the city, driving travellers to Plymouth, with the potential for them to spend time and money in the city prior to boarding, and also creating opportunities for Plymouth companies to supply the vessel.
It is also an important step for Plymouth which has long harboured an ambition to have a dedicated cruise terminal.
Amanda Lumley, executive director of Destination Plymouth, said: “Turnaround cruises are good news for the city as they usually generate a wider economic impact than just day visitors, which is due to the services required to support the ship and crew coming ashore.
“We are pleased to say that a number of cruises stopping in Plymouth both this year and next will be turnarounds.”
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She said each trip will see 750 passengers disembark before another 750 new passengers board the ship.
Sarah Gibson, chief executive of Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, added: “This is brilliant news. It’s better to be a turnaround port and it will have wider benefits, such as local contractors supplying the ships.”
She suggested that 2020’s Mayflower 400 commemoration, and the subsequent coverage it has attracted for the city, could be a factor and added: “We are starting to see the city and waterfront in a new light.”
Cruise and Maritime Voyages has already confirmed four sailings from Plymouth, departing West Wharf at Millbay, in 2021, withHays Travel already taking bookings.
Cruise and Maritime Voyages styles itself as “Britain's leading independent cruise line,”
It was set up in 2009 and operates “no-fly” cruises from a choice of 海角视频 and Irish ports, serving the adult market.
“We believe our smaller more intimate ships offer a leisurely and traditional home from home country house style of cruising with the emphasis very much on personal service and going that extra mile,” the company said.
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The fleet is operated under charter by Cruise and Maritime Voyages, part of the CMV Holdings London Travel and Leisure Group, which has offices in Purfleet, Essex, and in Adelaide, Australia and Ft Lauderdale, Florida, USA.
The firm will use the The MS Marco Polo, whic has a fascinating history involving Communist Russia, television stardom and a fatal storm at sea.
The 176-metre long ship can transport 820 passengers and 356 crew.
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The MS Marco Polo was built in the former Communist East Germany in 1965, and registered in the Soviet port of Leningrad, now known as St Petersburg. It was named Alexander Pushkin after, arguably, Russia’s greatest poet, playwright and author.
In 1991, as the Soviet Union was being dismantled, the ship was sold to a South African company and renamed after the Venitian explore Marco Polo.
It has changed hands several times since and is currently flying under the flag of the Bahamas. The Global Maritime Group charters it to Cruise and Maritime Voyages.
The Marco Polo was the star of the TV show Mighty Cruise Ships which featured its 2013 voyage to St Petersberg and the Baltic States.