Lerwick Harbour’s traditional cruise season has ended with the Shetland port setting a quartet of new records – and the prospect of it being extended, with an arrival in late 2024.
The season, which usually runs from April to October, features shoulder season bookings in March and November this year.
The performance so far was underlined by a visit on Tuesday, October 1, by the 253-metre long, 71,304 gross tonne, AIDAsol, with 2,342 passengers on board, en route to Bergen, Norway as part of a nine-day round trip of Britain, starting and finishing in Hamburg, Germany.
The visit brings the total number of vessel arrivals in the area to 134, smashing last year’s record of 129, and there’s still more to come.
So far vessel arrivals have represented 6.9 million gross tonnes of shipping in 2024, carrying 138,537 passengers.
It’s an increase of 4%, 21%, and 7% respectively on last year, with 2023 representing 5.8 million gross tonnes, and 123,903 passengers.
Lerwick Port Authority Cruise & Marketing Manager, Melanie Henderson, said: “It has been a brilliant season hosting many different operators, types of vessels and dozens of nationalities.
“The success is down to the incredible co-operation from all the service providers, retailers, venues and attractions working very hard to showcase Shetland as a wonderful destination, unlike any other. The warmth of welcome which cruise visitors receive is always highlighted in feedback received and is testament to everyone’s efforts.
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“Cruise is a way for visitors to experience the more remote parts of Scotland, often returning for a longer stay. It has become an important contributor to the local tourism economy.”
Bosses say the season was affected by a moral level of cancellations that occurred for various reasons including weather and itinerary changes.
The core business for the port remains the luxury expedition market, but as well as larger cruise line operators, it also welcomes smaller adventure lines to Shetland.
This record-breaking season also included the largest cruise ship yet to call at Lerwick, the 181,541 gross tonnes, MSC Virtuosa.
The final call for this year, and a maiden visit, will be the very first luxury hybrid electric polar exploration ship, Le Commandant Charcot, on a stopover at Lerwick on 18 November as part of an autumn splendours tour which starts in Norway’s Lofoten Islands and passes through the fjords before returning to Bergen.
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