Photo: Page & Hoy  - OCEAN MAJESTY

Harwich welcomes first cruise ship of 2007
Today marks beginning of season as OCEAN MAJESTY takes on passengers


Harwich International Port will today [4th May 2007] welcome the first cruise call of what will be a busy 2007 season, with the arrival of the Ocean Majesty. Operated by Page and Moy, the ship will arrive at Harwich on Friday, and will start embarkation of passengers on Saturday.

Carrying 500 passengers, the Ocean Majesty will sail from Harwich on a Baltic cruise. With a gross tonnage of 10,400, the ship boasts eight passenger decks, a gym, five bars, a cinema and various restaurants.

Chris Lewis, Chief Executive Officer of Hutchison Ports (UK) Limited, owners of Harwich International Port, said:

“Harwich International Port is one of the leading passenger ports in the UK, and is strategically placed as the most northerly cruise port on the East Coast.

“This will be another marvellous cruise season for the Port. Yet again, we will welcome some of the world’s largest cruise operators.

“It is testimony to the excellent facilities and service that we have here in Harwich that major cruise operators choose to use us, and return to us year after year.”

The Essex port is celebrating sixty-one cruise calls expected for 2007. It will be a busy year that will see returning customers, new customers and maiden vessel calls, as well as transit calls.

MSC Cruises will make its first transit call in Harwich in September, with the 1,600-passenger MSC Lyrica. Passengers on the cruise will be able to enjoy the delights of Harwich and the surrounding areas, including Colchester and Dedham Vale, during their stopover. Spirit of Adventure will also bring its self-titled cruise ship to Harwich for the first time. The 9,750-tonne vessel, with a capacity of 352 passengers, will specialise in European and Scandinavian cruises from Harwich.

Keith Brown, Chief Executive of East of England Tourism, commented: “The arrival of the Ocean Majesty into Harwich offers a great opportunity for tourism in the East of England. By offering passengers the chance to visit parts of the region, it will allow them to be charmed by our unspoilt countryside and discover its hidden treasures. We are pleased to be working with the Haven Gateway Partnership to help ensure the East of England benefits from this incoming business.”

The Jewel of the Seas, operated by Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, will make twelve calls this year, in its fourth season at the Port. Discovery, operated by Voyages of Discovery, will make eleven, and the Thomson Spirit, operated by Thomson - who are also returning - will make seven. These lines are specialists in cruises to the Baltic and the North Cape, as well as the traditional ‘around Britain’ cruises.

Since October 2005, a second berth has been made available at the Port, ensuring greater flexibility and increased options when accommodating a larger volume of ships. Investment by the Port in new baggage handling equipment and a refurbished passenger gangway will facilitate the extra business generated by such an increase in cruise calls.