Greenock Ocean Terminal in Scotland is gearing up for another exciting cruise season with the launch of its new £20m visitor centre. The port is set to welcome 79 cruise liners carrying up to 115,000 passengers throughout 2024, with early bookings for 2025 already on the rise.
The first big vessel of the season, the Regal Princess, visited the town on Friday, kicking off what promises to be a busy year for the port. The anticipated visits will see vessels weighing a combined 500,000 tonnes and spanning more than 16,000 meters collectively.
The state-of-the-art visitor centre, which opened last year, has already proven to be a wise investment, creating over 70 jobs and expected to boost the Scottish economy by £26m. Port Director Jim McSporran expressed excitement for the upcoming season, highlighting the positive impact the new visitor centre has had on attracting cruise ships to the area.
Among the impressive liners set to visit Greenock Ocean Terminal this year is Cunard’s new vessel, Queen Anne, along with other major ships like the Regal Princess, Disney Dream, and Celebrity Apex. The new visitor centre features a museum dedicated to artist George Wyllie, a restaurant, roof terrace, and purpose-built arrivals and departures hall.
The success of the cruise season in 2024 follows a record-breaking year in 2023, with the Terminal welcoming 91 vessels. Inverclyde Council leader Stephen McCabe expressed delight at the growth of the cruise tourism sector in recent years, emphasizing the outstanding experience visitors can expect at Greenock Ocean Terminal. Located on the Firth of Clyde, the port continues to be a key player in Scotland’s shipping industry.