Lerwick Harbour’s record-breaking cruise season will hit the first of several milestones this season on Thursday (30 June) with the arrival of Azura, the largest cruise ship yet to enter the Shetland port.
The P&O Cruises vessel will arrive from Akureyri, in north Iceland, en route for Kirkwall, Orkney, with around 3,100 passengers on a 14 nights’ round-trip voyage from Southampton.
On her maiden visit, the 115,055 gross tonne Azura will break the port record set by Costa Pacifica, at 114,288 gross tonnes, in June 2011.
The 290-metre vessel is scheduled to anchor at around 8am with passengers transferred by tender to Albert Dock where they will be welcomed by the volunteer Meet-and-Greet team. Supported by Lerwick Port Authority, the team provides information, assistance and Shetland music.
Victor Sandison, Senior Commercial Executive, Lerwick Port Authority, said: “The visit of Azura will be a highlight of a fantastic summer which is demonstrating the popularity of Lerwick as a port-of-call and of Shetland’s many visitor attractions.
“The record for the largest cruise ship into the harbour is due to be broken again on 14 August when Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Silhouette (122,210 gross tonnes) arrives during a season expected to attract a record 79 cruise ships.”
Azura will depart at 6pm, to be followed in by National Geographic Orion which is expected to berth at Victoria Pier at 7pm, leaving the following day. With capacity for 102 passengers, the vessel operates around the world, with this expedition sailing from Dublin via Scotland’s west coast and Northern Isles to Norway.