Plymouth waterfront residents awoke early this morning to the arrival of the Amadea, a Phoenix Reisen Cruise ship, and first ever trip to the city.
The Amadea arrived at the Breakwater at 6.45am and sailed across the Hoe foreshore into Millbay Docks (ABP) for a 10-hour whistlestop visit, just in time for tourist passengers to enjoy the Seafest Waterfront Festival today.
The ‘intimate’ vessel, by cruise standards, is the first to berth at Millbay since its recently announced completion of a significant phase of works at the historic Docks. Associated British Ports (ABP) has been carrying out strengthening works on the West Wharf, a critical part of an ongoing £23 million investment in the Port of Plymouth.
The infrastructure development at Millbay is part of the long-term future of the Ferry Terminal, increasing the city’s freight capability and green maritime credentials, and especially bringing cruise liners like the Amadea to berth at Millbay Docks.
The elegant Amadea is the smallest cruise liner to visit Plymouth this year and has a capacity of 600 passengers and 280 crew members. It is part of a 14-day European trip to port stops in Spain, France, Belgium, Holland, and Germany, where it starts and finishes.
Plymouth’s Volunteer Cruise Ambassadors, Port Handlers, and representatives from Plymouth’s Cruise Ship Partnership will be on hand to welcome passengers at Millbay Docks with the city’s famous ‘welcome ceremonies’.
The visiting Amadea is the ninth arrival for 2024, with cruise ship visits to the city adding £1.5m added boost to the GDP of the local economy, say tourist chiefs.
Plymouth’s Cruise Partnership includes Millbay Docks (ABP), Cattewater Harbour Commissioners, City Centre and Waterfront Business Improvement Districts, Plymouth City Council, along with the Team of Volunteer Cruise Ambassadors led by Doug and AnneMarie Kerr.
Meanwhile, the next phase of development at the Millbay Docks (ABP) includes the installation of the Passenger Boarding Bridge that will help to streamline the embarkation and disembarkation process for foot passengers of Brittany Ferries and cruise vessels.
Additional plans also include refurbishing the passenger terminal building and implementing traffic management measures to reduce processing times for inbound traffic into the docks.
