Liverpool Cruise Port set for record-breaking year

Liverpool Cruise Port has said it is expecting a record-breaking year, with 118 cruises booked in and about 350,000 passengers and crew members expected to visit the city.

Head of cruise operations John Mawer said the city had become "a bucket list destination" for many international visitors.

"Liverpool is one of those anchor ports in the UK [which] the cruise lines need as part of the itinerary," he explained.

Increased visitor numbers are expected to bring millions of pounds into the Liverpool City Region economy, and help support the hospitality and retail sectors.

"A portion of them will stay for more than one day, so it's actually 135 operational days but 118 cruise ships," said Mawer.

"That will bring in about 350,000 visitors - 250,000 passengers and about 100,000 crew.

"In terms of our European American market, Liverpool is really a bucket list destination."

He said many international tourists were attracted by Liverpool's musical history, as well as nearby attractions including the castles of North Wales and other cities such as Chester.

Mawer also said the approach on the River Mersey was an attraction in itself for domestic tourists on cruises and also those who visit Liverpool to see the ships up close.

"We can bring the ships into the heart of our city, to The Three Graces," he added.

"And people actually shape a whole day around just coming down to have a coffee and a walk around the Pier Head and just look at these magnificent ships."

He said plans revealed in 2024 to create a "world class facility" for passengers and the wider community were now in the final stages of planning and funding.

If approved, the expansion plans will double capacity to allow two cruise ships to berth at the same time and bring between 30 to 50 extra cruise ship visits each year.

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