Sunderland – Your First Port Of Call

Andy Foster, Business Development Manager, Port of Sunderland

As a new-comer to the cruise sector, Port of Sunderland is looking forward to exhibiting and meeting new contacts at the Seatrade Show and Exhibition.

Alongside our shipping and cargo operations – we are drawing on our team's cruise experience, gained over many years in other ports, and looking forward to welcoming passenger ships, having already played host to several one-off port-calls in the past. It is a market we are excited to be exploring further, as we believe that the city and region have much to offer visitors.

Though we're taking very early steps into this market, having successfully hosted cruise ships before – and as the city continues to grow its offer, with stunning developments underway at our beautiful seaside and in the heart of the city - we hope to increase the frequency of cruise visits to the port in the coming years and add an exciting new dimension to our offer and are excited to welcome tourists to Sunderland.

Only minutes from the North Sea, Port of Sunderland offers two lock-free river berths just a stroll away from the busy, culture-rich city centre where you will find unique visitor attractions such as the National Glass Centre, Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens, and St Peters Church (AD674), one of the UK's earliest stone-built Anglo-Saxon churches and the home of Saint Bede.

With Blue Flag award-winning beaches to relax on, a fascinating heritage to explore, and exciting attractions to experience, this friendly city by the sea will bring a smile to your face.

Sunderland is a city of light and a city of passion, a creative place that's fast becoming known for its culture as much as its centuries of engineering prowess. Sunderland is a city of surprises too. From a secret tunnel under the sea to a Greek temple. From tales of fearsome river beasts to a key site in early Christianity and even the ancestral home of the first President of the United States of America.

There are few cities on earth where you can spend the morning strolling in the countryside, the afternoon by the beach, and the evening taking in a world-famous show at a stunning Edwardian theatre. Still, Sunderland is one of them, and the port is proud to be flying the flag for the city.

At the heart of the wider North East England region, Sunderland also provides the perfect port of call with many of the area's finest attractions within easy reach. Castles, Cathedrals, UNESCO world heritage sites, stunning landscapes, shopping sprees, and world-class museums are all just a short journey away.

Durham's ancient city and cathedral are less than a 30-minute coach transfer from the port, as is the incredible Beamish – the Living Museum of the North. Port of Sunderland can provide easy access to the North Pennines with their rugged beauty, abundant wildlife, and stunning vistas. 

The North Yorkshire Moors and the pretty seaside towns of Whitby and Robin Hood's Bay are within a one-hour transfer time. Just slightly further afield, the walled City of York, the Viking capital of Britain, can be easily visited from Port of Sunderland.

Whether you want to stay close or travel a little further afield, a call to Port of Sunderland can offer a mind-boggling range of potential itineraries perfectly suited to the expedition cruise market.