Fred Olsen returns to Liverpool in 2013-city gets turnaround thumbs-up

[nellydean]

The Liverpool Echo today has two articles on Liverpool, one on the cruise facility turnaround problem, which has now been resolved, and one on Fred.Olsen starting cruises from the Pier Head terminal from 2013. Very exciting news for my old home town! :)

 

Fred Olsen cruise line returns to Liverpool after three years gap

by Peter Elson, Liverpool EchoFeb 3 2012

 

FRED Olsen Cruise Lines has said it will return to Liverpool in summer 2013 with 10 cruise departures from the city’s Pier Head Cruise Terminal.

 

The line abandoned Liverpool in 2010 after 10 years, due to the difficulties with Bootle’s Langton Dock Cruise Terminal.

 

It cited operational problems getting the 28,400 gross ton m/v Boudicca in and out of Langton lock.

 

This was in spite of selling out almost all berths on the 900-passenger liner.

 

The first cruise departs on April 21, 2013, with a range of destinations.

 

These include the Norwegian fjords, the Baltic and St Petersburg, the Canaries and the Mediterranean.

 

John Cooper, sales and marketing manager at Liverpool Cruise Club travel agency, which has lobbied Fred Olsen to return to Liverpool, said it was great news.

 

“This is absolutely fabulous news for Liverpool as Fred Olsen is so popular with passengers from all over northern UK.

 

“Resolving the Pier Head Cruise Terminal turnaround issue has clinched it for Olsen’s.

 

“It will also be a great investment for Liverpool as so many businesses will benefit in the supply chain.

 

“If we develop the cruise and stay market, it will boost the city’s prosperity with cruise passengers staying and spending.”

 

Read More http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2012/02/03/fred-olsen-cruise-line-returns-to-liverpool-after-three-years-gap-100252-30257077/#ixzz1lJ9I5STq

 

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Here's the one on Liverpool starting operating as a turnaround facility from May this year:

 

Liverpool River Mersey cruise terminal to start operating in May

by Peter Elson, Liverpool EchoFeb 3 2012

 

CRUISE liners will be based at Liverpool’s River Mersey Pier Head terminal in three months’ time, the ECHO can reveal.

 

The shock announcement broke the stalemate in talks between Liverpool council and the government over the amount of money needed to end the turnaround ban.

 

The council has agreed to repay whatever grant cash is required to lift the ban on “turnarounds” – voyages starting and ending at Liverpool cruise terminal.

 

That will be at least the £5m already offered to the government and could be as much as £9m.

 

The sum is separate from the balance of £8m from EU funds to build the £17m terminal, which the council asked the government not to get involved with.

 

The money will be paid in annual installments, based on revenue from the number of cruise liner turnarounds.

 

Council leader Cllr Joe Anderson said: “I am very excited about what will be a new era for us.

 

“I promised this would be my top priority when I was elected council leader.

 

“I have written to the shipping minister Mike Penning to confirm we will abide by whatever the independent panel rules we should repay.

 

“We will put in a planning application over the next few weeks to build a secure temporary baggage and customs facility.

 

“That will be at Princes Dock plot 7, opposite the Royal Liver Building.

 

“Also we are talking to the Isle of Man Steam Packet about sharing its facilities on the landing stage.

 

“It is my vision to grow the cruise industry for Liverpool to match the halcyon days of the past.

 

“We have been already talking to many cruise lines and could also see an Ocean Village liner using the terminal this summer.”

 

 

Cllr Anderson said each ship based at the cruise terminal was worth about £1.2m to the city and could reach £100m a year.

 

The first liner likely to depart on a cruise from the Pier Head terminal will be Ocean Countess on May 29 to go around Scotland.

 

The 17,600 gross ton, 800-passenger cruise liner is the only one now based here.

 

Ocean Countess’ seven 2012 cruises will be switched from Peel Ports’ Langton Dock, in Bootle, voted the UK’s worst by passengers.

 

Car parking will remain at Langton Dock, with a shuttle bus link, until other options are sorted out.

 

Cllr Anderson said Peel Holdings, which owns Princes Dock and the dock estate northwards, was being very co-operative.

 

He said: “I expect Liverpool to be so popular for turnarounds we will be developing a second cruise terminal with Peel in its Liverpool Waters plans.

 

“I want to thank Mr Penning for being so attentive and giving us a fair hearing.

 

“Our MPs from all parties, like Louise Ellman and Esther McVey, helped hugely in this great outcome.”

 

 

Read More http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2012/02/03/liverpool-river-mersey-cruise-terminal-to-start-operating-in-may-100252-30257078/#ixzz1lJ8WeIwq

[Popsey Wopsey]

Yippeeeeee and a hundred yippeeees.:D:D:D:D

[nellydean]

I don't suppose Southampton will be best pleased, but it was always going to happen, and it will be fantastic for all those cruisers who live in the North (and Midlands like me), for whom a trip down to the south coast is a real drag.

 

I rang Fred. Olsen this morning to check, and they said they haven't had the details yet, but should have them around mid February. :)

[Popsey Wopsey]

Its really good news,I live an hour away and that drag to the southern ports,Dover included is a pain.Boudicca being my favorite ship,makes it all the better.:)

[nellydean]

According to the Beeb, approval still has to be granted by the European Commission but, with the council now agreeing to pay what it owes, and S.ton council's leader happy with the offer, it should be just a formality - hope so anyway.

 

Would love to sail away and return from/to the Pier Head :)

 

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-16867173

[amberline]

Yes!!! Yes!!! Yes!!! Made up, roll on 2013 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[trinitytrees]

fabulous news, wish it was 2012!

[Mark_T]

Good news for some and I'm happy for those who live close to Liverpool.

 

For us it is a considerable negative as we certainly won't travel to Liverpool to join a cruise.

 

Not like we don't have other lines to choose from so it is not a big deal, just means we'll go elsewhere in future.

[tiggertom]

Good news for some and I'm happy for those who live close to Liverpool.

 

For us it is a considerable negative as we certainly won't travel to Liverpool to join a cruise.

 

Not like we don't have other lines to choose from so it is not a big deal, just means we'll go elsewhere in future.

 

I don't live close to Liverpool but it is great for us....why a negative for you?:confused:

[Mark_T]

I don't live close to Liverpool but it is great for us....why a negative for you?:confused:

 

The start and end of a cruise are important to us as well as the cruise itself.

 

Right now we can easily reach Southampton, Dover, Heathrow and Gatwick with minimum fuss, no need to have hotel stays over-night etc.

 

Trekking all the way up to Liverpool makes it an arduous start and end to the holiday that we prefer to avoid.

 

I fully understand that many close to Liverpool probably feel the same way about Southampton and Dover, so while it is good news for them, we will never cruise out of Liverpool under any circumstances.

[tiggertom]

The start and end of a cruise are important to us as well as the cruise itself.

 

Right now we can easily reach Southampton, Dover, Heathrow and Gatwick with minimum fuss, no need to have hotel stays over-night etc.

 

Trekking all the way up to Liverpool makes it an arduous start and end to the holiday that we prefer to avoid.

 

I fully understand that many close to Liverpool probably feel the same way about Southampton and Dover, so while it is good news for them, we will never cruise out of Liverpool under any circumstances.

 

Sorry I didn't realise you lived "down south". Southampton is such a pain in the neck to get to so Liverpool is " doable" in a few hours for us.

I think anyone from Birmingham and north will find this great news.:)

[callyuk]

Good news for some and I'm happy for those who live close to Liverpool.

 

For us it is a considerable negative as we certainly won't travel to Liverpool to join a cruise.

 

Not like we don't have other lines to choose from so it is not a big deal, just means we'll go elsewhere in future.

 

I don't see why it should be a problem for people who prefer Southampton/Dover; they seem to be adding Liverpool in again but nowhere does it state that the other ports will no longer be used.

Just more choice for everyone. :)

[Jammy Bun]

Choice is GOOD. We in the NorthWest have been denied much choice until now. I look forward to cruising from Liverpool again in 2013 (Did it once in 2010 and despite primitive facilities at Langton Dock, it was WAY preferable to a full day's travelling 'down south'.)

 

Three cheers fro Fred Olsen. And any other cruise line who take the plunge, even if only for a few cruises each year.

[Jules.]

Yay! We are only half an hour from Liverpool!!!:)

[David&Heather]

Great news, not given FO much consideration prior to this announcement but we will be having a serious look at their cruises ex Liverpool in 2013. Just hoping some of the bigger lines will follow their lead.

 

At last a viable option to flying out to a European city for us.

[trinitytrees]

Mark T you say no way would you travel to Liverpool, you may if you had no other choice, just like the ones who live north of Birmingham travel to southampton/dover it is because there is no choice, so if want to cruise it generally has to be south terminals, or a fly cruise.

 

its great Fred Olsen is going to sail from Liverpool we love FO anyway but would be good if other cruise lines did do some sailings from liverpool.

[Mark_T]

Mark T you say no way would you travel to Liverpool, you may if you had no other choice ...

 

No, seriously, we wouldn't.

 

I do sympathise with those living further north and I fully understand that this move is a very positive thing for some people, I'm just being very clear in my reaction, a cruise leaving from Liverpool, or Belfast for example is a cruise we will never be on.

 

I am happy for those of you that this helps and I'm sure FO is not going to worry about losing us as customers, but between this sort of move and the ending of the Caribbean fly-cruises, other lines are looking a lot more attractive for the future.