Harwich welcomes first cruise call of the 2009 season

Harwich International Port welcomed the first cruise call of what promises to be a busy 2009 season with the arrival of the Celebrity Constellation.  Operated by Celebrity Cruises the 2,450 passenger ship arrived at Harwich on Saturday 2nd May 2009 having completed a trans-Atlantic crossing from Fort Lauderdale. 
With a gross tonnage of 91,000 tonnes the Celebrity Constellation boasts 10 passenger decks, spa facilities, fitness centre, 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 country’s major gateways for cruise and ferry tourism, and we are optimistic for the 2009 season in spite of the economic situation faced by the country. Harwich is strategically placed on the East coast for cruise ships serving the UK market, and 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 expecting 53 cruise calls in 2009, with returning customers, new customers and inaugural ship calls. The majority of cruise ships use Harwich to embark and disembark passengers, but an increasing number are using the port for transit calls, from where visiting passengers can enjoy excursions to Cambridge, London and Constable Country, as well as around historic Harwich itself.
Following a multi-million pound investment in a new state-of-the-art passenger boarding bridge and extended baggage search area, commissioned in time for the coming season, the port is able to facilitate passenger boarding on the largest cruise ships on the market. With better terminal facilities than ever, the port is well equipped to deal with what is expected to be its busiest season to date.

Source: Transportweekly