Cruise liners set to break more records for Cromarty Firth. The Cromarty Firth is set for another record-breaking season of cruise liner visits with 51 ships expected to dock at the port in 2006 (Feb. 28, 2006)

Cruise liners set to break more records for Cromarty Firth. The Cromarty Firth is set for another record-breaking season of cruise liner visits with 51 ships expected to dock at the port in 2006
Provisional figures for passengers indicate a 45 per cent increase on 2005, up from 26,980 from 47 vessels to 39,480, while the gross tonnage of the ships should rise from 1.148 million in 2005 to 1.823 million this year.

The nationalities of liner passengers is expected to reflect the 67 nationalities who visited Invergordon in 2005. They were led by 12,800 Germans, 5,000 Britons, 2,900 Italians and 2,100 Americans.

Captain Iain Dunderdale, cruise development manager with Cruise Highlands Limited - a joint venture between the Cromarty Firth Port Authority and Bannerman of Tain - said the cruise programme once again highlighted continuing growth in cruising around countries bordering the North Sea and North Atlantic, and the popularity of the Cromarty Firth and Invergordon as a port of call.

Invergordon attributes much of its success to being a founding member of Cruise Europe in 1991. In that year, Invergordon had seven liners with a total of 2,845 passengers.

"The 2006 programme, and the dramatic increase in passenger numbers, will deliver massive economic benefits for Easter Ross and the wider Highlands from spending on shore tours and in local shops, and visits to places of interest," said Captain Dunderdale.

"Previous studies of average spending by cruise line business on services, tours and shopping suggest that the area will benefit from total expenditure of over Ł2.5 million. We believe, however, that average spending is higher and we would welcome a further study to confirm the full economic benefits of the cruise industry to the area and the Highland tourist industry."

Captain Dunderdale revealed that provisional passenger figures also indicated a heartening increase in the USA market, with some 12,000 Americans expected during the year.

He added: "We hope this significant increase in the number of American passengers will launch a sustained recovery of a key market for cruising. Invergordon is already a brighter and more attractive place as a result of the improvements carried out over the last two years, and it is expected further improvements will be carried out this year."

The cruise season will open on April 12 with a visit by the Norwegian liner Nordnorge, followed by its sister ship, Nordkapp, on April 21. Five liners will call in May, eight in June, 11 in July, 21 in August and four in September. QE 2 - Admiralty Pier, Invergordon, Cromarty Firth Port Authority

QE 2 - Admiralty Pier, Invergordon, Cromarty Firth Port Authority

The Nordkapp, along with the Calypso, Crystal Serenity, Costa Classica, Rhapsody, Deutschland, Costa Atlantica and Golden Princess, are all making maiden visits to the port. The year will also see ships operated by Louis Cruise Lines of Cyprus and MSC Cruises of Italy visiting the port for the first time.

The largest liners will be the 109,000 gross ton Golden Princess with 2,500 passengers, the Costa Atlantica with 2,200 passengers and the AIDAblu (correct) with 1,550 passengers. A pattern of repeat visits established over the last two seasons will continue in 2006 with the AIDAblu and the Rhapsody, with 650 passengers, each calling five times and the Maxim Gorkiy, with 560 passengers, calling four times.

Ken Gray, port manager of the Cromarty Firth Port Authority, said: "The growth in cruise liner traffic - from 23 in 2003 and 40 the following year - is a significant tribute to the promotional activities of Cruise Highlands, which has worked hard to persuade cruise lines to add Invergordon to their itineraries. This growth has been the catalyst for improvements to docking facilities and Invergordon and Greenock are still the only Scottish ports at which the largest liners can berth."

He added: "Cruise liners attract considerable numbers of people to the firth during the season. Along with the people of the area, we look forward to welcoming the liners and their passengers and to continuing growth in the years ahead."

Invergordon councillor John Connell said: "As councillor for the port of Invergordon, I am delighted with the good work by CFPA and Cruise Highlands in securing this level of shipping traffic to the port this year. A total of 51 is a magnificent number of cruise ships and the town will benefit significantly from the visiting passengers and crew.

"With the growing interest by people in cruising, things can only get better for the port and, indeed, Scotland. I do know there is some hard work being done behind the scenes by staff from The Highland Council, Ross and Cromarty Enterprise and the many volunteers to facilitate such an increase in cruise ships visiting the port and this will benefit local businesses."

Gordon Ireland, tourist development officer of The Highland Council, said: "This is a dramatic increase in cruise liner traffic at Invergordon. The arrival of almost 40,000 passengers will generate substantial economic benefits across a wide area of the Highlands. Visitor attractions, shops, coach and taxi operators will all share in this boom.

"We also know from previous studies that many of these cruise passengers will be visiting the Highlands for the first time and that a significant proportion of them will choose to return to the Highlands for a land based holiday, adding even more economic benefit."

(Source: Cromarty Firth Port Authority - Port of Invergordon)