The Port of Southampton has reported its busiest month of the year to date, following two successive weekends with five ships docked at its cruise terminals.
New P&O Cruises ship Iona, Marella Explorer, MSC Virtuosa, Anthem of the Seas and Regal Princess were docked in Southampton on August 7.
On August 14, Celebrity Silhouette replaced Anthem of the Seas and the other four ships returned, meaning that the port welcomed five cruise vessels again.
Rebekah Keeler, head of cruise at Associated British Ports, said the port was “getting closer” to what pre-pandemic berthing levels would be.
She added: “It’s taken a huge collaborative effort by the industry to bring cruise back safely and it fills us all with pride to see passengers once again beginning their holidays here at the Port of Southampton.”
The port would typically welcome around two million passengers each year before the pandemic, with each cruise call bringing in more than £2.7 million into the local economy.
In a statement, the port said the “coming months are expected to be busy, with all terminals occupied at weekends and lots of activity on weekdays too”.