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Portland Port gears up for ex-UK cruise restart

CRUISE_Norwegian_ Bliss_Marella_Discovery_Portland_Port_November_ 2020.JPG
Norwegian Bliss and Marella Discovery alongside in Portland Port, November 2020
UK south coast Portland Port is preparing to welcome cruise ships this summer including first time visits from MSC Virtuosa during its inaugural season, new arrival Viking Venus and Celebrity Silhouette.

In addition, Princess Cruises just announced it is adding a Portland call to four ex-UK itineraries operated by Regal and Sky Princess this summer. Both will also be maiden calls.

Safe restart

Ian McQuade, general manager – commercial at Portland Port commented, ‘we are delighted to be included in these itineraries for the resumption of passenger cruises for the UK market.  The port has maintained an excellent relationship with our local port health authority throughout the pandemic and it is clear that cruise lines have developed a thorough set of protocols to ensure the safe restart of operations.’

Portland Port is looking forward to being able to safely welcome passengers to the Jurassic Coast and has been reviewing its own policies and procedures to comply with government guidelines and to provide a safe environment for cruise ships to bring their passengers, he added.

2021 was scheduled to be another record-breaking cruise season for Portland Port; the first half of its programme has been cancelled; however, many scheduled calls have been now replaced with domestic cruise calls.