It will be the third successive year that SCH has provided port handling services for Royal Caribbean International (RCI), with Independence of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas based in the port from April to October.
Ship operations will mean turnarounds of some 8,000 passengers, with SCH providing mooring, baggage and stores handling.
In addition, SCH will handle nearly 20 turnaround calls for Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises, along with day calls in Southampton by TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff vessels.
Independence of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas will be operating a wide range of itineraries from Southampton, primarily on a fortnightly basis, that include the Mediterranean, northern Europe, the Canaries, Baltic and the Norwegian fjords.
In addition, SCH will handle Southampton calls of Saga Cruises and Silversea Cruises, the latter a new addition to its 2017 business. The cruise ship handlers also provide similar cruise ship services at ports throughout the UK including Liverpool and Portsmouth.
Silversea Cruises will make 11 calls in Southampton during 2017, offering cruises round Britain and to Northern and Western Europe on Silver Whisper, Silver Explorer, Silver Muse and Silver Wind. The 40,700gt Silver Muse, with accommodation for just under 600 guests, will debut in Southampton in September. SCH will provide baggage, storing and mooring services during the ships’ visits to Southampton.
Cruise operation manager Glen Gardner explained: ‘Silversea Cruises are a prestigious addition to the fleet of ships that we handle in Southampton. By tailoring our services to the individual requirements of our cruise customers, we are growing our market share of cruise business in the port, both in stevedoring and valet car parking.’
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