Three New Members at Cruise Europe: Holyhead, Larne and Seaport Scheveningen
Port of Holyhead – Located on the Isle of Anglesey, the Port of Holyhead is the gateway to North Wales and Snowdonia. A warm welcome can be found right at the quayside on every cruise call, explained Jane Owen, cruise executive Visit Wales. Coach parking is available at the quayside and a free shuttle bus for passenger and crew runs from the port to the town centre and shopping area.
Holyhead is a 24-hour, deepwater, lock-free port. It is one of the UK’s busiest ferry ports. Security complies entirely with the ISPS code. There are two berths suitable for cruiseships, the Orthios Jetty and Refit berth. The former is 300m maximum length with a depth of 11m and the latter is 110m in length and 4.6m in depth. The maximum size of vessel to come alongside the Orthios is Golden Princess (289m length) and on the Refit berth, Hebridean Sky (90m length).
There is a terminal located on the Orthios berth and is equipped with free wifi, toilets and a visitor information room with maps and pamphlets.
There is also an anchorage point available for vessels over 300m with tender action through the marina. Pilotage is compulsory for vessels over 40m in length with 24hrs notice required. Bunkering and water are available as well as garbage and waste disposal if requested via the agent.
North Wales is a diverse and unique destination catering for all ages and abilities with something for everyone including stately homes, castles, gardens, golf and adventure activities. Examples include world heritage Caernarfon Castle, the Snowdon mountain railway, the longest zipline in Europe at Zipworld, a series of trampolines in a subterranean setting at Bounce Below, Plas Cadnant hidden gardens and Portmerion created by artist Clough Williams-Ellis in 1925.
Larne – Larne is a small and friendly harbour situated at the beginning of the Causeway Coastal Route and 20 miles from Northern Ireland’s capital Belfast. Historically a ferry port, it is looking to diversify. This year Hebridean Princess called and will return next year.
Harbour master Anthony Van Damme comments: “What they like at Larne, is the clean facilities, less than 40 minutes away from some of the major local attractions [see below] and that the coaches can be driven up to the quay and literally pick up the passengers from the bottom of the gangway.”
There are three quays with the capacity to accommodate vessels up to 205m in length and 6m to 7m draught. The basin has depths up to 10m. Routine dredging takes place to maintain depths, however should there be a business case for improving the depths, Van Damme says this would be considered.
Anchorage is available for vessels with no size limitations. The present landing stage, which is 2nm away, could be made ready for cruise passengers should there be a demand. There is ample parking space for buses.
Larne Port has a passenger terminal with free wifi, a small cafe/shop, toilets and luggage-handling facilities. The railway station is right next to the passenger terminal. There is public transport to Belfast and up the Antrim coast. Larne centre is 15 minutes away on foot. Shuttle buses can be organised.
The whole port facility is in a Passenger Port Facility ISPS area. Security is provided by G4S. “Because we operate a regular ferry service from Larne, the G4S staff are used to dealing with passengers and are very customer focused,” explains Van Damme.
There are two 12m gangways and three 6m gangways that can be hired out to the vessel. There is also a fixed boarding bridge.
In terms of costs, “the grt cost for a cruise vessel is about 40% lower than a normal cargo vessel, in recognition of the high gross tonnage of the vessels” says Van Damme, whilst adding: “If cruise companies wish to sign up to a minimum number of calls, we would look at this and offer discounts or incentives as appropriate.”
Berths are allocated on a first-come first-serve basis. “At present we have no firm bookings, hence there is plenty of availability. We are a small operation with short lines of communications. Once a berth is booked it is yours unless you cancel the booking.”
There are on-site waste facilities but, for cruise vessels, extra skips will be brought in. Fresh water is available at every quay and is charged in line with the costs to the port.
The port is only 35 minutes’ drive from Belfast International airport.
Tourist attractions include UNESCO world heritage The Giant’s Causeway, Bushmills Distillery, Titanic Belfast, Carrickfergus Castle, Glenarm Castle and walled garden and The Gobbins Cliff Path.
“Our professional staff will go the extra mile to ensure that your passengers and crew get an authentic Northern Irish welcome and outstanding customer service during their stay,” concludes Van Damme.
Seaport Scheveningen – Seaport Scheveningen is the harbour of The Hague and can accommodate cruiseships up to 160m in length with a maximum draught of 7.5m, explains Jan-Willem Westenbrink, business developer Port of Scheveningen. The port has direct and unrestricted access to the North Sea. Scheveningen is a seaside resort just 5km from the city centre.
There are two quays suitable for cruiseships: the Adriaan Maaskade can accommodate vessels up to 120m in length. The Vissershaven quay can accommodate vessels up to 160m in length and is equipped with shorepower connections suitable for large sea-going trawlers and coastguard vessels.
Both quays will be provided with all the required facilities to accommodate cruiseships, such as security (ISPS), waste reception, bunkering and tugs.
In June 2018 the first cruise vessel will call at the Seaport Scheveningen. Berlin for FTI Cruises will spend a full day alongside during a ‘Wine and Pleasure’ itinerary beginning in Nice and ending in Bremerhaven.
There are many options for shore excursions in both Scheveningen and The Hague, such as shopping in the court district, a tour of ‘Royal The Hague’ including the Noordeinde Palace; The Peace Palace, the seat of the International Court of Justice; visiting the museum district with world famous paintings such as The Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer at the Mauritshuis; and Madurodam, a theme park that shows the Netherlands in miniature.
A stroll along the beach to the Kurhaus and The Pier with ferris wheel is an option available directly from the port. In June 2018 the port will host the finish of the Volvo Ocean Race.
Since Scheveningen is traditionally a fishing port, there are many good seaview restaurants serving fresh seafood. It is also possible to have a guided tour of the fish auction.
