The Port of Southampton has welcomed the Sun Princess cruise ship on her maiden call.
A traditional plaque and key ceremony took place on board the ship to mark her first call to Europe’s leading cruise turn around port. Alastair Welch, Port Director, and Craig Barbour, General Manager, took part in the official exchange with the ship’s Captain.
At her maximum capacity, the Princess Cruises ship can accommodate 2,000 passengers. The Sun Princess is the lead ship of her class, she was built in 1995 in Italy and has added Southampton to her itinerary for a one-off transit call this season. She is on a 98-day voyage from Tokyo to Kobe visiting Dublin after her call in Southampton.
Transit calls provide a welcome opportunity for international passengers to visit the city taking in its rich maritime heritage. Southampton typically welcomes around 2 million passengers each year into the port generating around £2 million for the economy on each visit.