13 February 2023
For the fourth time Guernsey has been named as the ‘Best UK & British Isles Port of Call’ at Cruise Critic’s annual cruise industry awards.
Winning the award highlights the excellent work across the Bailiwick’s hospitality sector to ensure a high-quality onshore offering to cruise passengers. The cruise market continues to be an integral part of the islands’ tourism offer and helps drive visitor numbers and revenue, in particular following the relaunch of the cruise market post-Covid.
Mary Putra, States of Guernsey Director of Communications and Marketing, said: ‘The Cruise Critic UK Editor’s Picks Awards are prestigious within the cruise industry and we’re delighted to have been named the Best UK and British Isles Port of Call. Success of this nature takes a whole-Bailiwick approach and I want to thank all of our industry partners for their hard work to deliver a quality experience for visiting cruise passengers. The Bailiwick community always makes visitors feel so welcome and that is very much part of our unique tourism offer.’
Adam Coulter, Executive Editor of Cruise Critic UK, said: ‘These awards showcase the most standout cruise lines – and ports – of the year, based on our editorial team’s personal experience and extensive industry expertise. The list of winners is evidence of the incredible strides of the industry over the past year – not just in returning to full service, but in providing travellers with truly remarkable experiences.’
We are delighted that we are going to be welcoming Princess Cruises’ Regal Princess to our shores this year for the first time, after the ship had to cancel the call in 2020 on what was meant to be it’s first season in the British Isles.Guernsey will be welcoming over 11 other ships for their inaugural visit this season, this includes MSC Cruises Fantasia and Euriba, and Oceania’s MS Riviera.
Guernsey is set to welcome 75 cruise calls during 2023, meaning Guernsey could welcome potentially over 140,000 passengers and crew ashore this year. The first ship is schedule on Wednesday 12th April with Ambassador Cruise Line’s The Ambience with 1,400 passengers.
We are pleased to say that Amanda Johns will be continuing her work with CruiseGuernsey this year as Cruise Business Development Consultant. Over the last year, Amanda has been busy reaching out to new and current cruise contacts as well as excursion agents. Amanda looks forward to working with you this year, please do get in touch if you have questions or feedback.
Plans are now in place for a familiarisation trip for cruise lines this April. CruiseGuernsey will be welcoming several cruise lines on a 3-night trip highlighting what makes the Islands of Guernsey so special for visitors, and why St Peter Port is truly a gem of a cruise port. Attendees will have the chance to taste our fabulous food, step back in time with our history and enjoy some island hopping.