Portsmouth International Port (England UK) released its initial cruise schedule for 2022, which sees a large number of maiden port calls from both new lines and ships.
The initial schedule, which is expected to be added to as the year progresses, will see a lot of cruisers begin their voyages in the city, or alternatively stop in Portsmouth to experience the world-class attractions on offer.
The schedule features maiden visits for a wide range of lines, including AIDA, Mystic, Poseidon Expeditions, Oceania, Seabourn.
Other highlights include the cruise port hosting an inaugural spring season for Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady, along with maiden calls from Swan Hellenic’s SH Vega and Viking Cruises' Viking Mars.
The port will also welcome cruise ships from longstanding friends, including Fred Olsen, Lindblad, Nicko Cruises, Noble Caledonia, Phoenix Reisen, SeaCloud, and Voyages to Antiquity.
To mark the launch of the 2022 schedule, the port worked with film-makers Strong Island Media, in order to create a short film that celebrates the combination of attractions, history, and a unique harbour entrance that makes arriving in the port of Portsmouth a special experience.
A terminal extension to accommodate the increase in passengers is due to start in March, following the announcement that the scheme had been awarded GBP 11.25 million Levelling Up Funding from Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
An assessment from Oxford Economics on the value of cruise growth to the port city over a 40-year period from 2021 has been estimated to secure GBP 205 million for UK GDP per annum.
The terminal transformation development, due to be ready by spring 2023, is expected to support an average GDP contribution of GBP 43 million per annum to the Portsmouth City Council area over a 40-year period.