20 May 2019
Cruise Isle of Man, a division of Visit Isle of Man, are looking forward to welcoming three inaugural calls in their ‘Week of Maidens’ which begins on the 22nd May.
Rob Callister MHK, Political Member with responsibility for Visit Isle of Man and motorsport commented:
Receiving three inaugural calls in one week is extremely rare and a fantastic result for our cruise consultants, Neptumar. It is wonderful to see a range of regular and new cruise line’s visiting the Island and taking advantage of all we have to offer. The work the team have been doing in promoting not only the Isle of Man but also our Manx produce is extremely beneficial to the Island’s economy as we continue to increase the value of cruise visitors. The recent Cruise Welcome Scheme has been well received with fifteen businesses on board in just three weeks, promoting incentives and offers to cruise passengers.
‘We are delighted to see cruise ships visiting the ports of Douglas, Peel and Port Erin in 2019 and welcome the benefits this brings to all areas of the Island as we look to diversify the number of sites visited by cruise passengers and crew.’
Wednesday 22nd May will see Hapag-Lloyd’s ‘Hanseatic Nature’ calling at noon, carrying around 230 passengers. She began her maiden cruise on 5th May and will be the newest cruise ship to visit the Island. On the 24th May, Overseas Adventure Travel’s ‘Corinthian’ will call at 0800hrs with approximately 98 passengers. The 27th May sees the last of the maiden calls during the week with Vantage Cruises’ ‘Variety Voyager’ calling into Peel at 0700hrs with a capacity for 72 passengers. Vantage Cruises first contacted the Isle of Man cruise team in 2018 and have booked ten calls for Variety Voyager during 2019 and have already booked their new ship ‘Ocean Explorer’ for three calls in 2021.
Passengers will enjoy guided tours, bespoke and artisan activities, heritage sites and world-renowned vintage transport, with the ‘Corinthian’ using Isle of Man Railways’ Dining Car on all ten of her visits in 2019.