Cruise liner on the River Mersey with the Liver Buildings in the background

Liverpool scoops top cruise accolade

For the second year, Liverpool has been named the UK’s best port of call by the world’s largest cruise review website.

‘Cruise Critic’ – sister site of ‘Trip Advisor’ – has named Liverpool as the ‘Best UK Port of Call’, choosing the city based on the fact so many attractions are within walking distance of the terminal.

The warm welcome visitors receive when they arrive in Liverpool and the rich historic architecture were also factors in the city taking the top prize. 

The awards highlight excellence in cruise travel, and are selected by an international panel of cruise journalists in 18 different categories, recognising the very best cruise lines, ships and ports.

On Liverpool’s win, the Cruise Critic editors commented: “Much of what Liverpool has to offer cruise-ship visitors is right in the city centre, alongside the waterfront where ships dock. The revitalised Albert Dock houses numerous restaurants and attractions – like the Beatles Story museum – and the adjacent billion-pound Liverpool One retail park is the UK’s largest open-air retail complex.”

Assistant Mayor and Liverpool City Council’s cabinet member for culture and tourism, Councillor Wendy Simon, said: “This is highly prestigious award and we’re delighted to win it for two consecutive years.

“Cruise Critic is one of the first places travellers look when contemplating a cruise, and we’re so pleased that Liverpool has taken the top-spot and the glowing review of our port will hopefully attract more people to choose the city as a cruise destination.

“Liverpool’s win is thoroughly deserved – the team at the terminal, along with representatives from our tourist industry go above and beyond to welcome people to the city and make it a memorable trip for them.”

Liverpool’s Cruise Manager, Angie Redhead, said: “Our cruise guests continually tell us that they love our city centre location, our award winning attractions as well as the genuine friendliness and warmth of the Liverpool people who go out of their way to extend the hand of friendship to them.

“Consumer reviews are so well trusted and are such an essential promotional tool, that to have the stamp of approval from Cruise Critics for two years running is just marvellous and so very important in such a competitive industry.

“Liverpool is going from strength to strength as a passenger destination and I am sure this award will result in more cruise visitors in the future.”

The full list of Cruise Critic Editor Picks Awards for 2014 and information regarding each award is available at http://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/editors-picks/

Talking about the importance of the awards, the UK editor of Cruise Critic, Adam Coulter, said: “The cruise industry offers a wealth of choice, and the Editors’ Picks Awards share our expert insight and provide guidance to British holidaymakers who are interested in a cruise.

“With cruise lines constantly improving their products this isn’t an easy task, but we have identified the lines which have excelled in order to help cruisers plan their perfect cruise, and ensure the time and money they invest is well spent.”    

Liverpool cruise terminal welcomed 46 ships and around 56,000 passengers in 2014. The estimated boost to the local economy provided by the cruise industry was around £4.4 million.

Liverpool Waterfront