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Antarctica ship sails into Tyne at close of season

A luxury German cruise ship, normally found exploring Antarctica, is set to visit the Tyne as the region’s cruise season comes to an end.

Hapag-Lloyd operated Bremen will visit the Port of Tyne as part of an expedition around Britain.

The 164 passengers, who are mostly German, will visit disembark and visit North East attractions such as Durham Cathedral, the Northumberlandia sculpture and Belsay Hall.

32 cruise ships have visit the Port of Tyne this summer season, and along with daily ferries from Amsterdam, they have brought 600,000 visitors to the North Shields passenger terminal.

The flow has generated an estimated £54m to the region’s economy, supporting tourism jobs.

Highlights of the season have included four calls from MSC’s Magnifica, the largest cruise ship ever to visit the Tyne, and calls from three new cruise lines including Crystal Cruises, Hurtigruten, and Costa Cruises, joining familiar companies such as Thomson and Fred. Olsen.

Steven Harrison, Port of Tyne’s chief operating officer, said: “Passengers from across the North of England and Scotland are now starting to see the Port of Tyne as an ideal point to start their cruises, bringing more people to the region.

“We are looking forward to welcoming the Bremen on her visit to the Tyne – it is a very attractive ship and a good way to celebrate what has been another successful cruise season for the region.

“Our success in winning the Cruise Critic award of the UK’s Best Port of Call in 2012 has undoubtedly been a factor in the growth of this business. And the iconic attractions of the North East region continue to be a major factor for cruise operators when selecting itineraries, we have been working with NewcastleGateshead Initiative and the tourism sector in the region to try to increase our share of the UK’s growing cruise market, and I delighted that we already have 34 cruise calls booked for 2014.”

Bremen is expected to arrive at Northumbrian Quay at 12 noon and sail on to Kingston upon Hull at 6pm.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .