On June 14th, the Port of Aberdeen (Scotland) marked a historic milestone by welcoming the 245-meter Ambience ship, the longest vessel ever to visit the port.
Operated by Ambassador Cruise Line, Ambience docked at the port’s South Harbour at 8:30 a.m. with 1397 guests on board. The tourists embarked on excursions to Balmoral Castle, Crathes Castle, and Old Aberdeen or explore the sights of Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire independently.
Ambassador Ambience was scheduled to be joined around midday by the 168-meter Scenic Eclipse ship of Scenic Group. Both vessels made their maiden calls, showcasing Port Aberdeen’s enhanced capacity and capabilities, thanks to its new facilities.
Disembarking guests were greeted with a traditional Scottish welcome, featuring a performance by Alba Bagpipes on the quayside and a warm reception from VisitAberdeenshire’s ‘Welcome to Aberdeenshire’ volunteers. Ambience's record as the largest ship to visit will be short-lived; the 252-meter AIDAsol is expected on July 17th, followed by the 290-meter Costa Favolosa on July 26th. Overall, ~60 cruise calls are confirmed for the 2024 season.
The port’s cruise call bookings extend through 2027, with 100+ scheduled visits/booked berthings, including from Fred Olsen Cruise Lines and Holland America Line.
Efforts to attract new companies/brands are ongoing. Under the CruiseAberdeenshire banner, Port Aberdeen and VisitAberdeenshire successfully promoted the destination at Seatrade Cruise Global earlier this year and are planning for Seatrade Cruise Med in September.