Liverpool Cruise Terminal

File:Pier Head floating landing stage (Wonder Book of Engineering Wonders, 1931).jpg

Liverpool's relationship with cruise liners dates back to the 19th century. Long distance scheduled commercial passenger travel by ship began in Liverpool in 1819 when the SS Savannah became the first steamship to conduct a trans-Atlantic crossing. Regular transatlantic crossing services followed in 1840 with the Britannia-class steamship. This coincided with the opening of Cunard Line's offices on Water Street in the city centre. Cunard went on to open its headquarters in the Cunard Building in 1916.

Princes' Landing Stage at Prince's Dock, next to Pier Head opened in the 1870s and was designed for liners to berth alongside. By 1895, efforts were made to improve the facilities for the embarkation and disembarkation of passengers with the opening of a railway station. Towards the end of the nineteenth century, Liverpool was definitively the second most important port in the British Empire, after London. It had been the main port for the trans-Atlantic passenger trade for over fifty years and one of the most important emigration ports in Europe.

File:Cunard Line New York Liverpool 1875.jpg poster (1875) advertising 4 times a week Liverpool-New York passenger service]]

However, by the early 1960s, Prince's Dock began to decline with the advent of shipping containers. The passenger trade also continued to diminish and both Cunard's and Canadian Pacific's Liverpool cruise services ended in 1967 and 1971 respectively. In 1973, the landing stage was demolished and the dock remained largely redundant and derelict throughout the 1980s.{{cite web|url=https://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/archivesheet64 |title=Liverpool and emigration in the 19th and 20th centuries |publisher=Liverpool Museums |access-date=13 April 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://images.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/2020-01/speedy-history-transport-in-liverpool.pdf |title=A Speedy History: Transport in Liverpool |publisher=Liverpool Museums |access-date=13 April 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5f5f95ade90e076cd6c18191/ICOMOS_Statement_002.pdf |title=Liverpool Cruise Terminal: ICOMOS Statement |publisher=gov.uk |access-date=13 April 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://liverpoolnauticalresearchsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Bulletin-Vol-50-2006.pdf |title=The Liverpool Nautical Research Society: The Bulletin, Volume 50, No 1, June, 2006 |publisher=Liverpool Nautical Research Society |access-date=13 April 2024}} Regeneration of Prince's Dock for commercial, residential and leisure uses began in the 1990s and the new Liverpool Cruise Terminal opened in 2007.{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1993/jun/16/merseyside-development-corporation |title=Merseyside Development Corporation |publisher=parliament.uk |access-date=13 April 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-62770099 |title=Liverpool Cruise Terminal marks 15th anniversary |publisher=BBC |access-date=13 April 2024}}

Until 2024, the terminal was run and operated by [https://www.cultureliverpool.co.uk/ Culture Liverpool], a department within Liverpool City Council. In 2024, Liverpool City Council ended its control over the terminal and handed the facility to the Peel Ports Group. A 50-year partnership deal was then signed between Peel and Global Ports Holding who became operators of the terminal.{{cite web|url=https://www.peelports.com/news-articles/liverpool-cruise-operations-to-double-in-25-million-investment-as-control-passes-to-world-s-largest-operator |title=Liverpool cruise operations to double in £25 million investment as control passes to world's largest operator |publisher=Peel Ports |access-date=12 April 2024}}

The Liverpool Cruise Terminal was opened in 2007 at a total cost of £19 million and is capable of accommodating vessels of {{convert|345|m}} in length and {{convert|10|m}} draft.{{citation| url=http://www.shipcanal.co.uk/port-of-liverpool/cruise-traffic.htm | title = Cruise Traffic |publisher = Peel Ports | date = 13 October 2010 | accessdate = 13 October 2010}} The terminal was mostly funded by grants of £9 million from the UK government and £8.6 million from the European Regional Development Fund.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-16867173|title=Liverpool settle Pier Head cruise terminal row|publisher=BBC|date=2012-02-03|accessdate=2012-07-19}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-15701480|title=Liverpool cruise liner terminal plans threatened|publisher=BBC|date=2011-11-11|accessdate=2012-07-19}}

The £9.2 million grant{{cite news|url=http://www.southportreporter.com/573/573-4.shtml|title=Cruise terminal grant repaid|publisher=Southport Reporter|date=2012-10-11|accessdate=2012-10-11}} from the UK government came with the condition that the terminal could only be used for cruise port-of-calls, which meant cruises would not be allowed to begin or end at the terminal. "Turnaround" visits generate more revenue for the port and city than port-of-calls. The reason for the restriction was that it was to minimize unfair competition with other ports that had been built with private funding, particularly Southampton. Liverpool City Council tried unsuccessfully to have this restriction removed in 2009.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/8335506.stm|title=MP calls for cruise ports enquiry|date=2009-11-01|accessdate=2012-07-19|work=BBC News}} In July 2011, the council offered to pay back part of the UK government funding in exchange for being allowed turnaround visits, which led Associated British Ports, the owner of Southampton Docks, to take legal advice.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-14065815|title=Liverpool bids to change city cruise restrictions|publisher=BBC|date=2011-07-11|accessdate=2012-07-19}} The Southampton Chamber of Commerce collected 12,000 signatures on a petition against the change.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-14842615|title=Southampton objects to Liverpool cruise terminal plan|publisher=BBC|date=2011-09-15|accessdate=2012-07-19}} Liverpool city council did cite that £70 million of public money was spent in upgrading the rail link from Southampton Docks to the Midlands container terminals competing directly with the Port of Liverpool. This fell on deaf ears.{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-12958555 | work=BBC News | title=Southampton to Midlands £70m rail route revamp complete | date=2011-04-04}} However, in March 2012, the government agreed a repayment offer from Liverpool Council and construction of a temporary terminal building began on the shore and floating terminal landing stage.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-17469646|title=Liverpool cruise terminal building begins|publisher=BBC|date=2012-03-22|accessdate=2012-07-19}}

Full turnaround services commenced at the terminal on Tuesday 29 May 2012 when Ocean Countess{{cite news|url=http://www.southportreporter.com/554/554-12.shtml|title=A new era is a turnaround for Liverpool!|publisher=Southport Reporter|date=2012-05-24|accessdate=2012-05-24}} departed on its journey to the Norwegian fjords.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-18246361|title=First cruise liner since 1972 leaves Liverpool|publisher=BBC|date=2012-05-29|accessdate=2012-07-19}} Therefore, passengers were once again enabled to start and finish their cruise journeys from Prince's Dock for the first time in 40 years.{{cite web|url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/passenger-liner-restarted-liverpools-cruise-6363286 |title=Passenger liner which restarted Liverpool's cruise departures ablaze off coast of Greece |publisher=Liverpool Echo |access-date=14 April 2024}}

The existing terminal was designed and built to be temporary and the present passenger facilities have an internal floor area of 800m². During its lifespan, the terminal is designed to handle approximately 900 passengers on daily 'turnaround' operations. However, it has been recognised by both Liverpool City Council (previous operators) and Global Ports Holding (current operators), that the facilities need to be expanded to meet passenger growth and the associated increase in throughput from larger cruise ships. The Mersey Docks and Harbour Company has previously argued that existing facilities will need to be upgraded to improve the passenger experience, particularly surrounding waiting times, check in and baggage collection, security, border control and the local road network. The current operators, Global Ports Holding, plan to expand the port's infrastructure to provide for future potential, more ships and passengers.{{cite web|url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5f60b5c58fa8f5107025c104/DC10147_-_Statement_in_support_of_application_12.04.19_002.pdf |title=Proposed Liverpool Cruise Terminal Extension (Harbour Revision Order 2019) |publisher=gov.uk |access-date=14 April 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/liverpool-cruise-port-double-operations-28927092 |title=Liverpool cruise port to double operations with £25m plan featuring new pontoon |publisher=Liverpool Echo |access-date=14 April 2024}}

The cruise terminal was developed in conjunction with improvements to the Isle of Man ferry terminal, operated by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. The Royal Navy also berths ships at the terminal several times a year, often allowing the public to visit the ships.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-17197060|title=HMS Liverpool makes final voyage to River Mersey|publisher=BBC|date=2012-02-29|accessdate=2012-07-19}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-17873987|title=HMS Dragon open to public in Liverpool during visit|publisher=BBC|date=2012-04-29|accessdate=2012-07-19}}

The terminal has seen strong growth since it was established and by 2024, it had welcomed over 800 vessels and more than 1 million passengers to the city of Liverpool.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-68721476#:~:text=The%20cruise%20liner%20port%20has,a%20key%20location%20for%20tourism%22. |title=Liverpool's £25m cruise port plan will see 'passengers double' |publisher=BBC |access-date=14 April 2024}}

File:Balmoral (cruise ship).jpg at the Liverpool Cruise Terminal. The terminal is used both for visiting cruise ships and for full 'turnaround' facilities. Ocean liners can, therefore, start and finish their voyages here. Liners berth on Liverpool's waterfront close to the Royal Liver Building.]]

{{Dynamic list}}

The current cruise schedule for operations into and out of the Cruise Terminal can be found on the [https://www.cruise-liverpool.com/cruise-call-schedule/ Cruise Liverpool website]. The schedule is updated regularly.

Many cruise lines have served the Liverpool Cruise Terminal.{{cite web|url=https://www.cruise-liverpool.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Cruise-Call-Schedule-2023.pdf |title=Cruise Liverpool 2023 Schedule |publisher=Cruise Liverpool |access-date=13 April 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/full-list-cruise-ships-coming-27370267 |title=Full list of cruise ships coming to Liverpool in 2023 |publisher=Liverpool Echo |access-date=13 April 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cruisetimetables.com/liverpool-england-cruise-ship-schedule-2024.html |title=Liverpool Cruise Ship Schedule For 2024 |publisher=cruisetimetables.com |access-date=13 April 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cruisetimetables.com/liverpool-england-cruise-ship-schedule-2024.html |title=Liverpool Cruise Ship Schedule For 2024 |publisher= |access-date=13 April 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cruise-liverpool.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/2024-Schedule-Web-Feb.pdf |title=Cruise Call Schedule 2024 |publisher=Cruise Liverpool |access-date=13 April 2024}} Ports in Australia, Faroe Islands, France, Iceland, Ireland, North America, Norway, Outer Hebrides, Portugal, Spain and the Caribbean are served by the facility.{{Cite web |title=Full list of cruise ships coming to Liverpool in 2023 |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/full-list-cruise-ships-coming-26190725 |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=www.liverpoolecho.co.uk|date=9 February 2023 }}{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://www.cruise-liverpool.com/welcome-to-cruise-liverpool |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=www.cruise-liverpool.com}}{{Cite web |title=Liverpool 'sail-ebrates' 15 years in cruise control |url=https://www.cultureliverpool.co.uk/news/15yrs-at-cruise-liverpool |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=www.cultureliverpool.co.uk|date=5 September 2022 }}{{Cite web |title='Ultra luxury' cruise ship docked in Liverpool costs £8k per person |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/ultra-luxury-cruise-ship-docked-27487465 |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=www.liverpoolecho.co.uk|date=9 August 2023}}{{Cite web |title=New cruise ship visits Liverpool more than a year after debut voyage |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/new-cruise-ship-visits-liverpool-24189337 |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=www.liverpoolecho.co.uk|date=11 June 2022}} The cruise lines that have served the terminal include the following:

{{Div col|colwidth=12em}}

• AIDA Cruises
• Ambassador
• Atlas Ocean Voyages
• Azamara
• Carnival Cruise Line
• Celebrity Cruises
• Costa Cruises
• Cruise & Maritime Voyages
• Crystal Cruises
• Cunard Line
• Disney Cruise Line
• Fred Olsen
• Hapag-Lloyd cruises
• Holland America Line
• MSC Cruises
• Mystic Cruises
• Noble Caledonia
• Norwegian
• Oceania Cruises
• Phoenix Reisen
• P&O Cruises
• Princess Cruises
• Pullmantur Cruises
• Regent Seven Seas
• Royal Caribbean
• Saga Cruises
• Seabourn Cruise Line
• Silversea Cruises
• TUI Cruises
• Viking

{{colend}}

File:Liverpool Cruise Terminal (2023).jpg

The cruise terminal is part of the £5.5 billion Liverpool Waters scheme to regenerate 60 hectares of dockland in Liverpool.

On 3 April 2024, it was reported that Global Ports Holding (GPH) would take over Liverpool Cruise Terminal, pledging a £25m upgrade. As a result, earlier plans by Liverpool City Council for a new £88m terminal and hotel were abandoned. The GPH upgrade includes a new floating pontoon to increase capacity and a terminal building for retail and hospitality, marking a shift from the city council's previous ambitions for a larger development.{{Cite web |last=ybnews |date=2024-04-03 |title=Plans for new £88m cruise terminal are shelved |url=https://lbndaily.co.uk/plans-for-new-88m-cruise-terminal-are-shelved/ |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=Liverpool Business News |language=en-GB}}

Liverpool City Council, when they operated the facility, planned a second terminal scheme which they approved in March 2012. The project then received UK Government approval in March 2013.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-17270508|title=Liverpool Waters plan approved despite World Heritage threat|publisher=BBC|date=2012-03-06|accessdate=2012-07-19}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.liverpoolwaters.co.uk/content/news.php?id=2130 |title=Liverpool Waters News - Liverpool Waters gets Central Government Approval for Planning Permission |access-date=21 April 2013 |archive-date=21 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130721110312/http://liverpoolwaters.co.uk/content/news.php?id=2130 |url-status=dead }}

Liverpool City Council unveiled preliminary plans for a £50 million development for the proposed new cruise stage in September 2017. The new facility was to be built slightly further down the Mersey at Princes Dock where the old wooden landing stage currently lies. The new terminal would have handled ships with up to 3,600 passengers and included dedicated passport control as well as a cafe. Plans were submitted for planning permission by the council in November 2017. Work on the new facility did not proceed.{{cite web|last1=Houghton|first1=Alistair|title=Here's how Liverpool's new £50m cruise liner terminal could look|url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/heres-how-liverpools-new-50m-13649055|website=Liverpool Echo|accessdate=21 September 2017|date=21 September 2017}}{{cite web|last1=Bona|first1=Emilia|title=New cruise terminal moves a step closer as £50m plans are submitted|url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/liverpool-cruise-terminal-moves-step-13906483|website=liverpoolecho|accessdate=15 November 2017|date=15 November 2017}}

Belfast building and civil engineering firm McLaughlin & Harvey were awarded a contract in March 2018 to support the council during the first of the two phases of development. The first phase of the project would have involved finalising the design and construction of the new facility and the removal of the existing derelict Princess Jetty.{{cite web|title=Liverpool awards contract for first phase of Cruise Liner Terminal project to Belfast firm - Liverpool Business News|url=http://lbndaily.co.uk/liverpool-awards-contract-first-phase-cruise-liner-terminal-project-belfast-firm/|website=Liverpool Business News|accessdate=8 March 2018|date=1 March 2018}}{{cite web|title=McL&H wins new Mersey cruise terminal|url=https://www.mclh.co.uk/media-centre/news/mclh-wins-new-mersey-cruise-terminal/|website=www.mclh.co.uk|accessdate=8 March 2018|language=en}} Planning permission for the new facility and the removal of the old jetty was granted in April 2018.{{cite web|last1=Houghton|first1=Alistair|title=Look at seven major plans that are set to change Liverpool|url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/look-seven-major-plans-set-14488176|website=liverpoolecho|accessdate=4 April 2018|date=3 April 2018}} £20 million of funding was granted from Liverpool City Region Combined Authority in August 2018 towards financing the next phase of the project, which was due to start in October of that year.{{cite web |title=Liverpool's new cruise terminal moves a step closer with £20m funding secured - Liverpool Business News |url=https://lbndaily.co.uk/liverpools-new-cruise-terminal-moves-step-closer-20m-funding-secured/ |website=Liverpool Business News |accessdate=1 September 2018 |date=29 August 2018}}

Issues around increased costs and COVID-19 saw the development of the second terminal grind to a halt with no new terminal constructed.{{cite news |last1=McDonough |first1=Tony |title=Exclusive: Cruise terminal global operator revealed |url=https://lbndaily.co.uk/exclusive-cruise-terminal-global-operator-revealed/ |access-date=22 December 2023 |work=Liverpool Business News |date=13 November 2023}} In November 2023, Liverpool City Council revealed that Global Ports Holding would be taking over the running of the facility, with the hope that they would choose to develop a new terminal as part of the deal.

File:City of Liverpool Cruise Terminal - geograph.org.uk - 563502.jpg|Liverpool Cruise Terminal

File:MS Prinsendam Liverpool.jpg|Prinsendam

File:MS Queen Victoria visits Liverpool 26-07-10 - DSC00614.JPG|Queen Victoria

File:Benkid77 Seven Seas Voyager.JPG|Seven Seas Voyager

File:Caribbean Princess, Cruise Terminal, Liverpool (geograph 2977700).jpg|Caribbean Princess 2012

File:Queen Mary 2 and Manannan, Liverpool landing stage, River Mersey (geograph 4556203).jpg|Queen Mary 2 with Manannan

File:HMS Prince of Wales (R09) alongside in Liverpool, England on 29 February 2020.jpg|HMS Prince of Wales

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{{reflist}}

{{commons}}

• {{official website|http://www.cruise-liverpool.com/}}

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Category:Buildings and structures in Liverpool

Category:Water transport in the United Kingdom

Category:Transport in Liverpool

Category:River Mersey

Category:Passenger ship terminals

Category:Maritime transport in Merseyside