Cruise lines join Cruise Britain in end of year celebrations

Cruise Britain saw out a year of cruising in style with a jam-packed programme of celebrations and networking, joined by more than 70 representatives of 30+ ports, destinations and service providers that are members of the association, and 37 individuals from 18 cruise lines. They included: Ambassador Cruise Line; Carnival Corporation; Carnival Maritime; Carnival UK; Explora Journeys; Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines; Hebridean Island Cruises; Holland America Group; HX; Marella Cruises; MSC Cruises; Noble Caledonia; Princess Cruises; Royal Caribbean International; Saga Cruises; Seabourn; Silversea Cruises; TUI Cruises; Viking; Windstar Cruises. 

Representing the wider cruise industry was Cruise Lines International Association, while for media, Seatrade Cruise was chosen to participate.   

Thames Clippers 

The day kicked off with complimentary refreshments in Thames Clippers’ Clipper Lounge at Embankment Pier on the River Thames, London. 

Uber Boat by Thames Clippers provided the Clipper itself and hosted lunch on board – one of several sponsors of the festivity, including ABP Cruise, Denholm Port Services, SMS International Shore Operations, Port of Dover, London Cruise Terminal Port of Tilbury, Solent Stevedores, Inchcape, Intercruises and Destination Plymouth.

Attendees were able to soak in views of the city, absorbing its jovial atmosphere in the countdown to Christmas, spotting iconic attractions such as The Shard, the London Eye, St. Paul's Cathedral, the Tower of London and Royal Festival Hall, to name a few. 

Trinity House 

Disembarking at the Tower Millennium Pier, the group set off for the 18th century Trinity House offering views over the Thames, Trinity Square and the Tower of London. The opulent building has a rich maritime history and is named after the UK’s largest-endowed maritime charity, the General Lighthouse Authority for England, Wales, the Channel Islands and Gibraltar and a fraternity of men and women selected from across the nation’s maritime sector.

Successful season

With everyone gathered, Ian McQuade, Cruise Britain chair and Portland Port commercial GM, delivered a speech, thanking the event sponsors, welcoming the association’s newest member, Port of Stornoway, and delivering an update on cruising in Britain. 

2024 has seen ‘winners and losers,’ McQuaide said, before explaining that overall it has been ‘another really good season’ in Britain. 

He went onto highlight the association’s achievements in 2024, including the signing of an MoU between Cruise Britain and Cruise Ireland at Seatrade Cruise Global. He noted the ‘really good relationship’ between the two, stating that the collaboration will continue: ‘Watch this space,’ added the chair.

He also highlighted this year’s founding of the United Coalition of European and Mediterranean Cruise Ports & Destinations – an alliance between MedCruise, Cruise Baltic, Cruise Britain, Cruise Norway and Cruise Europe whose goal includes challenging negative media publicity. 

Keeper of the Crown Jewels 

The Tower of London's keeper of the Crown Jewels, Andrew Jackson, was up next to deliver an inspiring presentation on the major historic attraction and UNESCO World Heritage Site.  

Jackson, Tower of London director, resident governor and keeper of the Jewel House, also spoke about Historic Royal Palaces - an independent charity that manages the UK’s unoccupied royal palaces – addressing where its income comes from, and impacts and recovery from the pandemic. 

Additionally, he discussed the vision for the future of HRP, including to preserve and manage the six historic buildings in its care for future generations, increasing the resilience against climate change, and educating young people about the precious structures. This is in addition to making the Tower of London more accessible. 

Plus, in 2026 an exhibition is planned on torture and imprisonment, pinpointing states around the world where this continues. As an example, Jackson showed the signatures of Guy Fawkes – involved in the infamous 17th century Gunpowder Plot to destroy Parliament and assassinate James I of England – the first consisting of a tidy scrawl written before his torture, compared with a haphazard scrawl, after.   

Jackson, who joined Historic Royal Palaces in May 2019 after more than 33 years of leadership and staff roles in the Army, responded enthusiastically to questions put to him by those at the Cruise Britain gathering – including whether ghosts occupied the Tower and the building’s most valuable item. 

There are several behind the scenes tours available at the Tower of London to bring more of its history to life. 

Quiz 

After further refreshments, the attendees were divided into groups named after world-famous pop groups, past and present, to take part in a quiz with Angie Redhead, city assets manager for Liverpool and former cruise development manager for Liverpool City Council, proclaimed quizmaster.

The multiple choice questions focused on Cruise Britain members, capturing unusual and/or little-known facts of each, with giveaways of confectionary and London souvenirs. 

With two groups tied on the winning score, the ultimate quiz champion was chosen via a ‘sing-off’ of Howard Blake’s The Snowman, the respective team awarded a disco ball trophy. 

The winning team with their trophy (PHOTO: HOLLY PAYNE)

Driftwoods

The day concluded with wining and dining on board the Driftwoods pavilion river boat, sailing from the Tower Bridge Quay. A live band played some of the UK’s best-loved hits as sweet treats including chocolate-dipped strawberries, fudge, chocolate brownies and Eton Mess were served.