Edinburgh hosts Cruise Europe conference 2022

Originally planned for March 2020 but delayed due to the global pandemic, this three-day in-person event, is being held in venues across the UNESCO city and is the largest and best attended cruise event ever to be held in Scotland, Rob Mason, Head of Cruise in Scotland for event host Capital Cruising told Seatrade.

‘Scotland is a major draw for the cruise market, Edinburgh in particular is a ‘must-see’, Mason added.

A coming together

‘After a challenging two years for the cruise industry during the pandemic, this is a great opportunity for the cruise industry to come together,’ he commented.

‘The cruise season in Scotland has restarted – Scotland is open for cruise - and is well underway and across all our ports we are expecting to welcome over 100 cruise vessels across our Scottish ports and anchorages this year which is encouraging news as people return to cruise,’ Mason said.

Commenting on the event, Jens Skrede, Managing Director of Cruise Europe said: ‘we have a record number of delegates attending from our members and 20 cruise line executives. We are really looking forward to the Cruise Europe Conference in this historic and vibrant city.’

Capital Cruising

Forth Ports’ cruise business, Capital Cruising, runs seven cruise terminals and anchorages across the UK including ports in Leith, Rosyth and anchorages at Newhaven and South Queensferry, all offering easy reach of the attractions in Edinburgh. Mason revealed around 100 shorex options are available in the city of Edinburgh and its surrounds focusing on history, nature, culture, cuisine and drink and just about everything in between.

Whisky tasting

Today cruise line executives representing Carnival UK, AIDA, MSC Cruises, Princess Cruises, Fred Olsen Cruise Line, Ambassador Cruise Line and cruise media went on an open top vintage bus tour of Edinburgh, had lunch at the Cannonball Restaurant in Edinburgh Castle’s Esplanade and finished with whisky tasting at the Johnnie Walker Experience, a new attraction located in Princes Street in the shadow of the castle.

Tuesday evening saw participants gathering for a reception on the Royal Yacht Britannia berthed in Leith. A full day of conference sessions take place place on Wednesday.