liverpool cruise terminal update

Major boost for future of Liverpool Cruise Terminal

Global Ports Holding Plc (GPH), the world’s largest independent cruise port operator, has signed a 50-year agreement with Peel Ports Group’s subsidiary, The Mersey Docks and Harbour Company Ltd, to operate services at Liverpool Cruise Terminal.

Subject to the granting of appropriate permits and licenses, GPH plans to invest up to £25 million in the terminal’s infrastructure, doubling its operations and unlocking the port’s future potential.

The investment will include the addition of a new floating pontoon that will increase capacity and allow for the simultaneous berthing of two 300-metre ships and up to 7,000 passengers a day.

The funding injection will also see the construction of a new terminal building that will enhance passenger experience and provide waterfront retail and hospitality offerings that will cater not just to cruise travellers, but also to local tourists and residents.

The historic deal has been enabled by Liverpool City Council, which this week officially surrendered the lease of the award-winning operation it established and has managed since 2007.

The decision to hand back the lease to Peel Ports Group, was made by the Council to ensure the multi-million-pound upgrade of the cruise facility. Over the last 16 years, the city has welcomed more than 800 vessels and one million passengers, generating more than £110m to the city’s visitor economy .

GPH signed the historic deal, recognising that Liverpool is a key location for tourism and is well positioned to participate in the growing Northern European, British Isles and Irish cruise markets, with the potential for significant growth in passenger volumes.  

With two major international airports within an hour’s drive of the cruise facility, it is felt this connectivity will provide significant potential for the port to act as a gateway to the Northern European and round Britain cruise markets for American and European passengers, as well as being well-positioned to act as a home port for the domestic passenger market.

In 2023 alone, Liverpool welcomed 102 cruise ships and over 186,000 passengers. This is expected to increase to over 200,000 passengers in 2024 and exceed 300,000 per annum once the new infrastructure works are completed.

Liverpool City Council currently employs the Cruise Liverpool team which has provided successful day-to-day management of the terminal for the past 17 years. Under a service agreement between the Council and GPH, some of the existing team members and service providers will continue to support GPH as it significantly expands operations.

The team are currently preparing for the new cruise season, the highlight of which will be the naming ceremony for Cunard’s newest ship, Queen Anne, on Monday, 3 June .

Andrew Lewis, Chief Executive of Liverpool City Council, said : “Liverpool City Council is delighted to have helped enable this historic agreement between Peel Ports and Global Ports Holdings Plc.

Responsibility for Liverpool’s cruise operations now passes to a world-leading operator, with ambitious plans to grow Liverpool’s position as an excellent cruise and tourism destination. 

We look forward to working closely with GPH to support their ambitions, and to extending a warm welcome to many more visitors to Liverpool.”

Mehmet Kutman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Global Ports Holding Plc said: “The addition of Liverpool Cruise Port, our first cruise port in the British Isles, to our network marks another important milestone in GPH’s ongoing development and growth.

“I would like to thank Liverpool City Council and Peel Ports Group for their support throughout the process. Liverpool boasts a rich maritime heritage, and the GPH team looks forward to working with all stakeholders to further enhance the success of this remarkable destination.”

David Huck, Chief Operating Officer at Peel Ports Group said:  “We are proud to be embarking on a new strategic partnership with Global Ports Holding as it takes over operations at the Liverpool Cruise Terminal.

“Liverpool City Council’s stewardship of the Terminal over the last two decades has truly transformed Liverpool into a thriving cruise tourism destination. We see this new chapter as an opportunity for us to build upon that legacy.

“We look forward to making that vision a reality, alongside GPH through a strategic partnership and our combined maritime and cruise expertise.”

Welcome, Login to your account.

• Login with Facebook

Recover your password.

A password will be e-mailed to you.

No Liverpool cruise terminal decision until 2024

Uncertainty in the global cruise market following the COVID-19 pandemic means a decision on Liverpool’s new cruise line terminal could still be two years away. Tony McDonough reports

A decision on whether or not Liverpool goes ahead with plans for a new £50m cruise terminal may not be made until 2024.

In August 2021 it was announced at a Liverpool City Council meeting that it would not be until 2023 that the authority was in a position to decide any final design and location of the new terminal, which would likely cost more than £50m.

However, LBN has learned that even next year may be too soon and the decision may be pushed back another year to 2024. One of the critical factors in the decision is how well the cruise market recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prior to the pandemic the cruise industry was on an upward trajectory with passenger numbers soaring. At the start of 2020, the team at Cruise Liverpool were getting ready for what would be the current terminal’s busiest year since it opened in 2007.

However, in March 2020 the £100bn industry ground to a halt. Of the 400 or so large cruise vessels sailing across the world around 90% were berthed indefinitely. Major cruise operators were forced to take on billions in extra debt to survive.

Last summer there was a strong recovery with more than 100 cruises returning to Liverpool, bringing 80,000 passengers to the city. This year the terminal will once again welcome more than 100 cruise calls, providing an estimated £15m boost to the city .

However, LBN understands that a significant number of passengers sailing on ships this summer are taking trips that were originally booked during the pandemic and therefore there is still limited visibility on how many new cruises are being booked.

This means Liverpool City Council may not be able to properly assess the level of demand for cruises until at least the end of the 2023 summer cruise season or maybe even the 2024 season. So a definite decision is unlikely until at least 2024.

The cruise industry itself is upbeat about prospects. At the end of April the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the world’s biggest cruise industry body, said passenger numbers were likely to exceed pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2023. They are projected to be 12% high than before COVID by the end of 2026.

Consequently the industry is continuing to order new vessels. More than 40 are taking to the seas for the first time this year alone and more than 75 new ships are on order through to 2027.

Kelly Craighead, president and chief executive of the CLIA, said: “Cruising is accessible, responsible, and experiential – making it the best way to see the world for people of all ages and interests. With the support of an incredibly resilient community, the future of the cruise industry is bright.”

However, there are significant headwinds. Both in the UK and across the world inflation is on the rise due to impact of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. This is squeezing disposable incomes which could hit cruise bookings. Cruise lines may also be forced to push up prices as they grapple with the debt they have taken on and soaring fuel costs.

In the decade before 2020, Liverpool city region’s visitor economy had ballooned to be worth more than £5bn a year. Building a new cruise terminal to capitalise on this growing demand seemed like a no-brainer.

Existing plans for the new permanent facility, backed by Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, would see a 100,000 sq ft terminal building constructed on two floors; the ground floor being the baggage hall and entrance lobby. The first floor would include the passenger lounge, check-in area and cafe.

It would be connected by a pedestrian and vehicular link-span bridge to the existing cruise ship landing stage. The plans also include a 200-bed hotel at Princes Dock Liverpool Waters, close to the terminal building.

Once completed, the terminal would replace the existing facility and will enable the world’s largest cruise ships (up to 3,600 passengers) to embark and disembark at Liverpool. It was expected to directly create more than 500 new jobs. It was originally due to be operational by this year.

In February, the chief executive of industry body Mersey Maritime, Chris Shirling-Rooke, urged Liverpool City Council to press on with the project . He explained: “Liverpool has made phenomenal progress over the past decade but, if we fail to invest in our key engines of growth, then we could face decades of decline.”

He added that last year Southampton, which has been Liverpool’s bitter rival when it comes to cruise ship business, had raced ahead by opening its new £55m Horizon Cruise Terminal which offers solar panels and plug-in charging for vessels.  

However, the city council is facing its own battles which may hamper its ability to part-fund and deliver a project on the scale of the cruise terminal. Its finances had already deteriorated badly due to a decade of Government cutbacks and now a debacle over its electricity supply deal could cost the city an extra £16m.

There is also a growing concern among councillors of all parties about carbon emissions. Having declared a ‘climate emergency’ a number of members are taking a hardline approach to cutting emissions.

In recent months Liverpool John Lennon Airport has been the target of councillor criticism due to aviation emissions and the city council has responded by declining an opportunity to invest in new facilities.  

Against the backdrop of the rush to decarbonise, Green councillors in Liverpool have already questioned whether welcoming cruise ships, among the biggest emitters of carbon in the world of transport, fits in with the city’s sustainable targets.

The cruise sector is taking decarbonisation seriously but zero carbon cruise ships are still some way off. There has been a wide adoption of liquefied natural gas to replace traditional marine fuel, cutting emissions by 20%, but the sector will need to accelerate its efforts if it is to reach its sustainability goals.

A spokesperson for Liverpool City Council told LBN that the number of cruise ships arriving in the Mersey was testament to how buoyant the current cruise season was and that it was continuing to monitor the market to assess the long-term viability.

Matchstick grows Liverpool team by 50%

Autumn start for £500m merseyrail trains, you might also like more from author, decision ‘imminent’ on major wirral homes project, online finance: alternative access to working capital, revenues hit £36.5m at one of liverpool’s oldest firms.

Your email address will not be published.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Follow Us @liverpoolbusiness

Username field is empty..

Liverpool Cruise Terminal

Plans approved for landmark Liverpool Cruise Terminal

30 Aug 2019

• Princes Dock

The city’s new terminal, situated within Peel L&P’s £5bn Liverpool Waters scheme, will be constructed at the Princes Jetty site.

The proposal will enable the world’s largest cruise ships (up to 3,600 passengers) to embark and disembark at Liverpool, providing a world-class experience for cruise companies and passengers.

The cruise terminal is expected to directly create a number of local jobs.

The City Council’s Planning Committee voted unanimously in favour of the application for the detailed design of the development, following outline planning permission being granted in April 2018.

The 10,000 sq.m terminal will be built on a suspended deck on steel piles in the river, spanning two floors. It will boast a baggage hall in the ground floor, and the passenger lounge, café and check-in on the first floor.

The scheme will also include new public open space, hard and soft landscaping, and associated car and coach servicing arrangements.

The plans will see the derelict Princes Jetty currently in situ dismantled, with construction of the new terminal taking place at the site of the existing jetty in the River Mersey.

"Having personally worked in the quayside area throughout my 20-year career at Ramboll, I am confident the approved design will meet the highest standards and needs of all who will use the facility. The whole design team are looking forward to delivering this exciting and vitally important project to the city of Liverpool."

The council is also investing a further £32m in upgrading the A565 to support the new cruise facility and north docklands, and is gearing up to create a £20m link road to extend Leeds Street to the waterfront to support a new £30m Isle of Man Ferry terminal.

Site preparation works for the new facilities are expected to start in the new year.

Related Topics

Related Stories

Liverpool waters welcomes start-ups to princes dock, huge vote of public support for new everton stadium and legacy plans, interview with st nick's church, meet the neighbours: vast visibility, building a brighter future for young people with everton in the community, planning permission granted for landmark liverpool hotel at peel l&p’s liverpool waters, willson grange marks first anniversary at liverpool waters, triple lettings for liverpool waters at king edward triangle, peel l&p commits to united nations global sustainability goals, docklands trail launched at liverpool waters, waterfront development at liverpool waters opens its doors to residents, liverpool waters welcomes a trio of new businesses, icl agencies takes lease at princes dock to 15 years.

Thank you for your enquiry

The Liverpool Waters Team

• CruiseMapper
• Cruise Ports
• Ireland - UK - British Isles Cruise Ports

Liverpool (England)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region Ireland - UK - British Isles

Local Time 2024-05-20 09:04

Port Liverpool cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Liverpool, England. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

Liverpool is a major port anc city in England's Merseyside (metro region) with population around 0,5 million (urban ~870,000, metro ~2,3 million). The cruise port is located along River Mersey Estuary's eastern side. Other major turnaround (cruise ship departure) ports in the UK are the England's Southampton , Bristol , Dover , Harwich , Hull , Tilbury-London , Newcastle and Portsmouth , and Scotland's Leith-Edinburgh and Greenock-Glasgow .

Ferries link Liverpool with Dublin Ireland (17 crossings weekly, travel time 7 hours), Belfast Northern Ireland (14 crossings weekly, travel time 8 hours) and Douglas, Isle of Man (12 crossings weekly, travel time 2 hours 45 min). These routes are operated, respectively, by the companies P&O FERRIES , STENA LINE and Steam Packet Company (purchased in May 2018 by Manx government for GBP 124 million).

Port Liverpool

Port Liverpool (locode GBLIV) is located approx 9 mi (15 km) from Liverpool John Lennon Airport and approx 40 mi (60 km) from Manchester International Airport. The nearest to the cruise port train station (Lime Station) is a few minutes drive from downtown, or at ~20 min walking distance.

Port's cruising business is constantly growing. In 2016 it handled a record number of ships - 64 (10 more in comparison to 2015) and 85000+ tourists. The first vessel to berth at the newly constructed Pier Head Terminal (2007-inaugurated) was RSSC-Regent 's Seven Seas Voyager (on Sept 9, 2007).

The city itself has a rich maritime heritage, being also the birthplace of the UK's first passenger shipping line - Cunard . Since the Pier Head Terminal's opening (2007), it has served as a homeport (turnaround port serving roundtrips) but also as a transit port on itineraries visiting UK-Ireland-Baltic destinations (Norway, Sweden, Germany, Netherlands, Finland, Russia).

Operated by Peel Ports Group, Liverpool Port offers planning, support and assistance by a large team of highly qualified professionals. The Port also provides services to cargo ships (TEU-containers, general-liquid-dry bulks, metals, forest and project cargoes), Ro-Ro ships (vehicles carriers) and Ro-Pax ships (ferries). The cruise port operator provides expert pilots and linesmen (to assist navigation), port workers (stevedoring, porters, passenger handling staff), modern facilities. In 2018, Princes Dock (cruise terminal) generated GBP 7+ million (EUR 8+M) in revenues.

Since 2012, when the city became a cruise homeport, the number of visiting boats doubled - from 31 (2012) to 61 (2015). The number of cruise ship tourists also doubled - from 38656 (2012) to 86365 (2016). Liverpool was ranked the UK’s "best cruise port of call" for 2013 and 2014. In 2014, the City Council announced that Cunard's building would be converted into a cruise terminal. The building was bought for GBP 1,5 million, with the idea to become a ticketing hall for the new terminal. Later was estimated that the building's conversion would cost too much (between GBP 5-60 million) making it not suitable for the purpose.

In 2015, Liverpool's cruise shipping industry brought ~GBP 7 million to the city economy, with over 81000 passengers and 37000 crew. Each cruise tourist spent an estimated GBP 70 in the city, while crew members spent ~GBP 30.

In 2015, the Port hosted Princess Cruises ' (Carnival Corporation brand) 50th-anniversary celebrations and Celebrity Cruises ' (Royal Caribbean brand) 25th-anniversary celebrations. Also in 2015, the Port was visited for the first time by P&O UK 's ship Britannia . Inaugural calls were made by Oceania 's ships Nautica and Marina . Those events were marked with fireworks shows, shoreside concerts, special occasion cakes.

On May 25, 2015, the Port was visited by all the three Cunard liners ( RMS Queen Mary 2 , Queen Elizabeth , Queen Victoria ) for the "Queens Royal Rendezvous" spectacle on Mersey River. On July 4, 2015, QM2 sailed out of Liverpool on a 10-day crossing to Canada (Halifax) and USA (Boston and NYC) commemorating Cunard Line's first-ever Transatlantic cruise crossing. On July 4th, 1840, Cunard Steamship Company started its regular passenger shipping service (with RMS Britannia/paddlewheel steamship) crossing the Atlantic Ocean from Liverpool to Halifax.

In February 2016, City Council announced the preferred site (Princes Jetty) for the construction of a new passenger terminal that could facilitate Transatlantic cruise shipping (eastbound crossings USA-UK). The new terminal building has capacity 3600+ passengers. Previously suggested plans for the Cunard Building (used as terminal) were scrapped in 2014. For the last time, Port Liverpool hosted regular Transatlantic ship crossings in 1968.

In late-March 2016, City Council commissioned early design work and appointed a consultancy team (KKA Architects, Turner & Townsend, Royal Haskoning DHV Engineering) to develop a conceptual design for a new cruise terminal. The building has to be able to handle ~3600 passengers (3 times larger than the existing terminal's /1200 pax). The new terminal has passport control, a waiting lounge, baggage hall, public restrooms, cafe-restaurant, dedicated taxi rank, coach and vehicle pick-up areas, car parking (for up to 300 cars).

On May 5, 2016, officially started Fred Olsen 's homeporting season with Boudicca . The ship had scheduled 16x roundtrips (out of Pier Head) visiting destinations in the Mediterranean (Adriatic), Canary Islands, UK-British Isles, Greenland, as well as Transatlantic roundtrips to Canada and USA/New England.

In June 2016, Port Liverpool contracted the company SCH (Southampton Cargo Handling). The GBP 0,74 million deal was for 3-year stevedore cruise ship services. SCH handles all cruise vessels visiting Liverpool and employs locals for stevedoring. The contract was renewed in 2019 (thru 2022) and 2023 (thru 2026). On August 19, 2016, City Council approved a GBP 0,95 million (USD 1,2M) feasibility study into the new passenger terminal development. Port's 2016 schedule had a total of 63 ship visits (9 more over 2015) bringing 114,676 tourists and generating economic impact ~GBP 7 million (EUR 8,2M). Maiden ports calls in 2016 were 4 - Artania , Amadea , Disney Magic , L'Austral .

In 2018, Port had booked 57 cruise ship berthings, with estimated 100,000+ passengers and crew. Season's highlights included 5 maiden calls ( AIDAaura , Ocean Dream , Seabourn Ovation , Viking Sun , MS Berlin ) and two overnights ( Celebrity Eclipse/ June 12, and MS Europa 2 /Sept 8). In April 2018, City Council officially approved the GBP 50 million cruise terminal project that includes Princes Jetty (on Princes Parade) to be demolished and the new facility to be built as a suspended dock (on River Mersey). The new terminal has capacity to handle the world's largest passenger ships .

Since July 2018, the deepwater container terminal Liverpool2 is included in 2M's ( shipping alliance Maersk+MSC) Transatlantic service. With the new line, 2M temporarily switched TA2 (Felixstowe to Liverpool) while to Maersk's Colombia Express (South America) was added Liverpool for exports to Newark. Both services are weekly and include Liverpool as the final call port on these westbound Atlantic crossings. Among the UK export cargoes are Scotch whiskey, food products, machinery. The new services also opened direct UK-USA links from Liverpool to Charleston SC and Savannah GA . Liverpool2 terminal serves smaller-sized boxships (max capacity 8500 TEUs), while larger vessels use RSCT (Royal Seaforth Container Terminal). In early-2018, Peel Ports started rail freight service from the Port via partnership with DB Cargo AG (Deutsche Bahn AG).

In November 2019, ACL (Atlantic Container Line, subsidiary of Grimaldi Group ) signed with Peel Ports Group a 15-year RSCT concession extension (until 2035). Peel Ports in 2019 started a development project to expand RSCT for handling larger-sized boxships. The project (2019-2021) included widening the Seaforth Basin (by 28 m / 92 ft) and purchasing two new ZPMC STS (ship-to-shore container cranes / China-made - by Zhenhua Heavy Industries). Now RSCT has 8x STS cranes plus 22x cantilever RMGs (rail-mounted gantry cranes). Each ZPMC STS crane has height 92 m (302 ft / to frame's top) and 132 m (433 ft / with raised boom) and weighs ~1600 tons. ZPMC STS cranes are with capacity ~30 moves per hour, can outreach 24x TEUs, handle max loads 85 tons and operate in max wind speeds 55 mph (88 kph).

In 2019/pre-COVID crisis, the cruise port handled 86 ship calls (~40% increase over 2018). In 2022 were handled 107 calls and ~200,000 tourists (passengers plus crew). For season 2023, the Port had booked a total of 115 ship berthings (including ~40 roundtrips) at Liverpool Cruise Terminal.

In December 2022, SCH Logistics signed a multi-year lease agreement with Peel Ports Group for a major car storage and transporter park expansion. The project (budgeted GBP 1+ million) was completed in ~3 months and increased the Port's vehicle storage capacity/park size by 22% (from 8 to 10,3 acres). The expanded parking facility is a hub dedicated to newly manufactured vehicles (automobiles arriving on RO-RO ships) and then handled by SCH's staff (unloading and storing) prior to their delivery by the manufacturer to its car dealers.

Port Liverpool, along with its cruise terminals also has ferry terminals, containership terminal, drydock facilities (for ship refurbishments and repairs ).

• port address - "Liverpool Cruise Port Terminal, Princess Parade, Liverpool, L31DL"
• UN-LOCODE (United Nations location code) - GBLIV.
• one dedicated cruise terminal
• capability to accommodate 2 liners at a time
• supported by excellent road, rail and air infrastructure
• deep water berths (draft 12,6 m / 41 ft)
• large ships can berth alongside a quay (length 376 m / 1234 ft)
• Cruise ships usually arrive in Liverpool in early morning (6, 6:30, 7:30 or 8 am) and depart from Liverpool in late afternoon (5, 6 pm) or in the evening (9, 9:30 or 10 pm).

Next is the lengthy video about 2015's Cunard celebrations in Liverpool. The unique event featured precise maneuvering by the Cunard cruise ships in front of thousands of spectators. Following the rotation, the ships formed an arrowhead formation before the three abreast arrangement - their first time ever. With all 3 cruise vessels aligned on the river, QM2 sounded the anniversary year number (175) by blowing 1 single short blast followed by 7 and then 5 blasts. The '"cruise ship dance" was culminated with a salute by 9 jets from Red Arrows (UK's Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team). Following the celebrations, QM2 left the port. Followed fireworks and digital light shows at Pier Head.

Cruise itineraries to and from Liverpool England

Follows a list of destinations visited by cruise ships leaving out of Liverpool:

• Round-trip itineraries out of Liverpool visit Iceland and Greenland, often with Faroe Islands ( Torshavn ) and British Islands ports.
• North Sea itineraries (around the UK) visit ports in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.
• Baltic Sea - cruises to Norway (themed "Norwegian Fjords") and Europe's Arctic (North Pole) visit the following ports in Norway. Among the destinations is the Svalbard Archipelago's Spitsbergen island .
• Baltic Sea - itineraries to Scandinavia and Russia include an overnight stay in St Petersburg .
• Mediterranean cruises leaving from Liverpool can be either round-trip or one-way. They visit ports in Portugal, Spain, Italy, France, often Gibraltar and Malta , sometimes - Adriatic Seaports. Up to a month-long roundtrips may include Black Sea ports in Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Russia, and also in Greece and Turkey.
• Another popular destination is the Canaries (Spain's Canary Islands), often combined with Portugal's Madeira .

Transatlantic crossings (RepositionCruises.com) from the UK to Canada and USA can be roundtrips from Liverpool or one-ways (on seasonal ship relocation voyages).

Short breaks (mini cruises) from Liverpool to Bristol (3-day / 2-night), Greenock-Glasgow (2-day / 1-night) or to Southampton (4-day / 3-night) are offered as one-way ship relocation deals. Short break round-trips to Ireland visit Dublin and Belfast .

Liverpool cruise terminal

Port Liverpool's cruise season runs from March through November. Until mid-2012, the embarkation and disembarkation was at Langton Dock. Port's current cruise ship berth is a floating pontoon with tidal range 10 m (33 ft). This means that at certain times its access bridges are very steep. To cruise passengers, the port provides mobility buses to transport tourists between the gangway and terminal's passenger lounge.

Pier Head cruise terminal

location - Princes Parade (at Pier Head, next to the Royal Liver Building).

Royal Liver Building is one of the city's "Three Graces" on the waterfront - sided by "Cunard Building" and the "Port of Liverpool Building". Unlike many other terminals, Liverpool's cruise ship terminal is located at only 20 min walking distance (approx 1 km / 0,6 mi) away from downtown.

The cruise terminal has a small building. Adjacent to its exit point are public phones and a taxi rank. In several outlets outside the terminal are available restaurants and cafes, also ATMs and currency exchange. The passenger terminal building has refreshment facilities, restrooms and welcome desk. The building is small-sized, so it is recommended to avoid early arrival. 

Berth's capacity is 2 ships (docking along the quay). The berth is capable of accommodating ships with max LOA length 350 m (1148 ft) - no vessel width or draught restrictions.

Next drone video shows Liverpool's Gate 3 cruise terminal and Celebrity Silhouette . The ship visited Liverpool on July 23, 2017, on a 12-night British Isles roundtrip from  Amsterdam Holland .

(NEW) Liverpool cruise terminal

In December 2016, was launched an international search for a technical team to design a new cruise ship terminal in Liverpool. The new facility will be located on River Mersey (former Princes Jetty off Princes Parade), approx 1000 ft (305 m) downriver from the Pier Head terminal.

The new passenger terminal can handle turnaround cruise vessels (on roundtrip UK itineraries) with max capacity 3600 passengers. The terminal building is 2-storey (sized 10,000m2), with baggage hall, passenger lounge, check-in facilities, passport control, cafe-restaurant, bar lounge, public toilets, taxi rank, vehicle pick up point. Development plans were based on land reclaimed from River Mersey. The project also included the construction of a new quay wall, changes on Princess Parade (allowing tour buses and shuttles), also a new passenger terminal, luggage storage facility, passport control, vehicle pick up area, large car parking.

In mid-May 2017, City Council appointed Place North West team to design the new cruise terminal facility. Engineering consultancy company Ramboll will lead a 4-member team (2 architects, 1 cost manager, 1 planning consultant) to work up detailed designs for the facility. Then will be submitted a planning application (for Princes Jetty). The Ramboll company will then manage the project and assist with construction monitoring and contractor procurement. Additional (new) elements at the cruise ship facility could also include a hotel (capacity 200 rooms) and a multi-story car parking (capacity 1100 vehicles). However, the parking may be located further north, to be able to support also Ten Streets and Bramley Moore Dock stadium.

In April 2018, City Council approved the GBP 50 million cruise terminal project. By this development, Princes Jetty will be demolished and the new facility will be built on a suspended dock (on River Mersey). The terminal will have capacity to handle world's largest cruise liners . An additional GBP 32 million were assigned for upgrading road A565 (connecting Liverpool with Tarleton) to support the new terminal, plus GBP 20 million for a newbuild link road extending Leeds Str to the waterfront.

Construction works started in May 2018, with scheduled completion in 2022 spring. Major works included building a vehicle linkspan bridge, pedestrian walkway, landing stage improvements, new ancillary buildings, Princes Parade improvements (to incorporate terminal parking and passenger pick-up/drop-off areas), pedestrian crossing facilities.

In 2019 started the GBP 32 million project for upgrading the A565 road (Liverpool to Tarleton, Lancashire) to support the new cruise terminal. Also started works on the GBP 20 million project to build a link road extending Leeds Street to Liverpool's waterfront and supporting the new Isle of Man Ferry Terminal.

Next video shows the signature exterior and interior design elements of the new cruise terminal.

Liverpool ferry terminals

Liverpool's ferry port terminal (Pier Head Landing Stage Terminal) is located off St Nicholas Place Car Park at Princes Half-Tide Dock (Princes Parade).

(NEW) Isle of Man-Liverpool ferry terminal

In September 2018 were announced port's plans for building the new "Isle of Man Ferry Terminal" at Princes Half Tide Dock. The facility is located approx 700 m (2200 ft) from the current Pier Head berth at Princes Half-Tide Dock (within Liverpool Waters and Peel Land).

The existing Pier Head terminal will be reconstructed into a dedicated cruise terminal as part of the Liverpool Waterfront development project (budgeted GBP 5 billion / EUR 5,6B).

The new passenger terminal's cost was initially estimated at GBP 36,5 million (EUR 40,6M). Funding was subject to Tynwald's approval. The project's initial cost was GBP 30M, which increased due to additional structural and construction works - on the site and the quay walls.

The ferry terminal's max capacity is 1000 passengers and 200 vehicles. The inauguration was in March 2021. Wheeled freight and passenger vehicles are served by a new link road (project cost GBP 7,6 million / EUR 8,5 million).

In late-October 2018 were released the designs of the terminal's building and infrastructure.

On April 9, 2019, the ferry terminal project was approved by the Manx Government, which signed a long-term leasehold agreement with Peel Ports for the site. This was the first time when the Isle of Man Government became a UK property owner.

In late-April 2021 was officially announced that due to the Coronavirus crisis, the Isle of Man Ferry Terminal in Liverpool will cost at least GBP 43 million (~EUR 49,5M / ~USD 59,9M) and be completed in March 2022 (instead of December 2021). The additional costs (~5% over the original budget) were partly due to the need to strengthen the harbour's walls (to cope with the impact of the powerful bow thrusters of the new ship). Works were also delayed by the archaeological excavation on the site and the need to dispose of unexploded bombs from WW2 (1939-45).

In July 2021 was announced that the Manx Government will have to spend an additional GBP 13,8 million (EUR 16M / USD 18,9M) on the new ferry terminal (total cost GBP 55,8M / EUR 64,76M / USD 76,4M) in Douglas. The extra money was needed to tackle "unforeseen problems", including staffing difficulties, shortage of materials, COVID rules-associated costs.

Both facilities (in Liverpool and Douglas) serve the regularly scheduled crossings provided by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Ltd.

• The Albert Dock: dates from 1846. Visit fine galleries, museum and many shops.
• Croxteth Hall & Croxteth Park: it is 5 miles away from the Liverpool’s center. It was Earls of Sefton ancestral home. Currently, Liverpool City Council manages it.
• Liverpool Cathedral: the largest British Anglican Cathedral
• Liverpool Museum: it is located on William Brown Street. Discover many collections and attractions it this fine museum. You can see the Planetarium and the Natural History Centre.
• The Mersey Ferries: famous from the ” Ferry Cross the Mersey” song by by Gerry and the Pacemakers.
• Merseyside Maritime Museum: located at Albert Dock. Discover the seafaring heritage of Liverpool.
• Museum of Liverpool Life: discover the story and the culture of the citizens of Liverpool.
• The Metropolitian Cathedral:”Paddy’s Wigwam” (Chris the King) cathedral.
• Sefton Parl Palm House: amazing botanical exhibition. The Victorian Glasshouse is listed as Grade II.
• The Walker art gallery: known as the “National Gallery of the North.” You can see of of the largest collections of art outside of London.
• The Cavern Club: the birthplace of Merseybeat
• Haydock Park Racecourse: 30 min away from the city by car. Haydock Park Racecourse is the most visited and popular racecourse in England.
• Liverpool Empire Theatre: the theater is two-tier, the largest in the UK.

Liverpool tours, shore excursions, hotels

City tours and shore excursions.

Cunard's new ship Queen Anne embarks on maiden voyage from Southampton UK

Cunard's latest cruise ship has commenced her inaugural voyage from Southampton UK. Queen Anne marks the company's first new vessel in 14 years and...

Ambassador Cruise Line UK 2025-2026 Itineraries and promo offers (half-price discounts, premium...

Ambassador Cruise Lines unveiled its 2025-2026 itinerary program, featuring departures from 7 UK homeports, and a selection of half-price discounts...

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines unveils 2025-2026 program with 90+ new itineraries

The UK-based Fred Olsen Cruise Lines has announced its 2025-2026 program, introducing 90+ new itineraries for travelers seeking diverse sea vacation...

Fred Olsen scraps Balmoral ship cruise after Norovirus outbreak

A 2-night cruise initially scheduled to depart from Southampton and travel to Newcastle, offered at a price lower than rail and air fare, has been...

Stena Line boosts freight capacities with new Dublin-Birkenhead route amid record volumes

Stena Line, the Swedish ferry operator, has officially launched its new freight service from Dublin (Ireland) to Birkenhead (England). This addition...

Cunard's newest ship Queen Anne to be christened at Port Liverpool's Mersey Waterfront

Cunard's newest vessel - MS Queen Anne, is set to be christened at its historic birthplace, the Mersey waterfront in Liverpool, on Monday, June 3...

44-year-old passenger dies after falling from Stena Estrid ferry near Liverpool

A tragic incident unfolded near Liverpool as a 44-year-old man, hailing from north Wales, fell from the Stena Estrid ferry during its journey from...

Isle of Man Steam Packet confirms Spring 2024 start for Liverpool's new ferry terminal

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has confirmed that the new ferry terminal in Liverpool England UK is proceeding according to schedule and is...

Cunard unveils inaugural voyage for MS Queen Anne ship (British Isles Festival/Great Britain...

Cunard has disclosed details of the inaugural event voyage on Queen Anne, featuring a distinctive British Isles Festival aligned with her maiden...

Irish Ferries enters into charter agreement for P&O to operate the Holyhead-Cherbourg routes

Irish Ferries has chartered the vessel Norbay to replace Epsilon on its Dublin to Holyhead and Cherbourg routes after P&O Ferries withdrew it...

•   show more news

Liverpool - user reviews and comments

• ms Rotterdam 3.210 passengers 20 May 2024 - 23:00
• Amadea 624 passengers 23 May 2024 - 22:00
• Bolette 1.656 passengers 25 May 2024 - 00:00
• Costa Favolosa 3.617 passengers 29 May 2024 - 19:00
• Bolette 1.656 passengers 30 May 2024 - 00:00
• Regal Princess 4.272 passengers 01 Jun 2024 - 18:00
• Queen Anne 3.353 passengers 03 Jun 2024 - 00:00
• Bolette 1.656 passengers 08 Jun 2024 - 00:00
• Ambition 1.428 passengers 11 Jun 2024 - 19:00
• Bolette 1.656 passengers 15 Jun 2024 - 00:00
• Britannia 4.406 passengers 17 Jun 2024 - 00:00
• Jewel Of The Seas 2.573 passengers 18 Jun 2024 - 18:00
• ms Nieuw Statendam 3.218 passengers 23 Jun 2024 - 17:00
• Ambition 1.428 passengers 23 Jun 2024 - 18:00
• Regal Princess 4.272 passengers 24 Jun 2024 - 16:00
• Bolette 1.656 passengers 27 Jun 2024 - 00:00
• Viking Neptune 930 passengers 28 Jun 2024 - 00:00
• Viking Neptune 930 passengers 29 Jun 2024 - 00:00
• Celebrity Silhouette 3.463 passengers 29 Jun 2024 - 18:00
• Seven Seas Mariner 779 passengers 30 Jun 2024 - 21:00
• Ambition 1.428 passengers 04 Jul 2024 - 19:00
• Bolette 1.656 passengers 06 Jul 2024 - 00:00
• Viking Neptune 930 passengers 09 Jul 2024 - 00:00
• Carnival Legend 2.549 passengers 09 Jul 2024 - 17:00
• Viking Neptune 930 passengers 10 Jul 2024 - 00:00
• Mein Schiff 3 2.700 passengers 13 Jul 2024 - 19:00
• Ambition 1.428 passengers 15 Jul 2024 - 19:00
• Seabourn Quest 540 passengers 18 Jul 2024 - 18:00
• Bolette 1.656 passengers 19 Jul 2024 - 00:00
• Viking Sky 930 passengers 23 Jul 2024 - 00:00
• Viking Sky 930 passengers 24 Jul 2024 - 00:00
• Carnival Legend 2.549 passengers 24 Jul 2024 - 17:00
• Arcadia 1.904 passengers 25 Jul 2024 - 00:00
• Jewel Of The Seas 2.573 passengers 26 Jul 2024 - 16:00
• Ambition 1.428 passengers 27 Jul 2024 - 19:00
• Regal Princess 4.272 passengers 30 Jul 2024 - 18:00
• Silver Spirit 648 passengers 30 Jul 2024 - 19:00
• Ambition 1.428 passengers 01 Aug 2024 - 19:00
• Viking Sky 930 passengers 03 Aug 2024 - 00:00
• Viking Sky 930 passengers 04 Aug 2024 - 00:00
• AIDAbella 2.500 passengers 11 Aug 2024 - 20:00
• Regal Princess 4.272 passengers 12 Aug 2024 - 18:00
• ms Rotterdam 3.210 passengers 12 Aug 2024 - 23:00
• Oceania Nautica 803 passengers 13 Aug 2024 - 19:00
• Carnival Legend 2.549 passengers 14 Aug 2024 - 16:00
• Bolette 1.656 passengers 15 Aug 2024 - 00:00
• ms Europa 408 passengers 16 Aug 2024 - 17:00
• Spirit of Adventure 1.000 passengers 20 Aug 2024 - 17:00
• Azamara Quest 781 passengers 22 Aug 2024 - 19:00
• Viking Neptune 930 passengers 23 Aug 2024 - 00:00

0800 655 6601

• Holiday Extras
• World Wide Tours

Please enter the age of the children

Adults 1 2 3 4 5 6

Children 0 1 2 3

Children’s Age 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Room 2 Remove

Room 3 Remove

If you would like to book more rooms, please call us on

Liverpool Cruise Terminal Update

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has approved £20m funding from its Single Investment Fund for a new Liverpool Cruise Liner Terminal.

The £20m will contribute to the construction of a new terminal building to replace the current temporary terminal on Princes Dock.

Liverpool City Council is leading on the creation of the new Cruise Liner Terminal, which will also include an adjoining hotel and multi-storey car park.

The new facility will enable the world’s largest cruise ships to dock at Liverpool and is expected to directly create more than 500 new jobs. The current terminal generates more than £7m a year to the city’s economy.

Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:   “The visitor economy is increasingly important to the whole of the Liverpool City Region – it grew by 66% between 2009 and 2017 and is now worth more than £4.5bn per year – and a new cruise liner terminal will help this vital sector continue to flourish.

“This is a unique project with the potential to boost the whole of the city region which is why as a Combined Authority we are pleased to be able to offer this substantial support to one of the city council’s flagship initiatives.”

Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, said:   “The new cruise liner terminal is vitally important and will mean that once again we can welcome the greatest cruise ships in the world to the Mersey.

“The construction of this new terminal will mark a new chapter in the city’s maritime future as we create a world class experience for the cruise companies and their passengers.

“We are working in partnership with the Combined Authority and some of the very best in the engineering industry to deliver this facility to the very highest standards.”

Councillor Phil Davies, the Combined Authority’s portfolio holder for Inclusive Growth, Economic Development, Digital and Innovation, said:  “The visitor economy has become one of the major drivers for economic development in our city region and ensuring that we have a state-of-the-art cruise liner facility will help to build on that success.

“As well as directly creating more than 500 jobs, we know that attracting more visitors, in bigger ships, will give a boost not just to businesses in the city centre, but around the city region, indirectly creating additional jobs for local people across the supply chain.”

The first phase of construction on the new terminal started in May this year, as site investigations were undertaken to understand the geology of the bedrock on which the new terminal complex will be constructed.

The main contract works will involve the construction of a suspended deck structure and the erection of a vehicular linkspan bridge and pedestrian bridge / walkway to connect the new terminal to the existing landing stage.

Works will also involve improvements to the existing landing stage, including modification of existing buildings such as the lower cruise terminal reception building, relocation of the building on the northern end of the pontoon and creation of ancillary buildings for storage and use by operational staff; improvements to Princes Parade to incorporate pedestrian crossing facilities, provision of terminal parking, pickup and drop off facilities, and supporting development.

This year Liverpool will welcome more than 57 vessels, with 100,000 passengers and crew, but the city council wants to capitalise on the cruise boom by creating a state of the art passenger and baggage facility, complete with passport control, lounge, café, toilets, taxi rank and vehicle pick up point, to cater for Liverpool’s growing appeal in the cruise industry. The current terminal generates more than £7m a year to the city’s economy.

Outline planning application for the new facility was approved by the city council’s Planning Committee, in April.

Site preparation at Princes Dock, in Peel Land and Property’s £5.5bn Liverpool Waters scheme, is expected to start in October 2018.

Princes Jetty, which will be dismantled to make way for the new facility, has been gifted to the city council by Peel.

SOURCE: REGENERATING LIVERPOOL

Reasons to Book with Vision Cruise

Family run business.

Over 30 years of travel experience. Been there, seen that, sailed the world.

Book with confidence

Your money is safe with us, we’re ATOL & ABTA protected.

As a trusted company within the industry, we give the best and exclusive deals to our customers.

As a trusted company within the industry, your cruise adventure is a breeze when booked with us.

Get amazing deals straight to your emails

Sign up to our E-Newsletter now

Enquire Now

• Luxury Cruising
• River Cruise Deals
• Ambassador Cruise Line – Buy One Get One Free!
• Azamara – Flash Sale
• Celebrity Cruises – 30% off & £1 Flights!
• Fred Olsen Cruise Lines – Save up to £200pp on 2024
• Norwegian Cruise Line – All Inclusive from £199pp
• Oceania Cruises – 4 Category Upgrade Sale
• Princess Cruises – Book on PLUS, spend on US
• Royal Caribbean – Europe 2024
• Virgin Voyages – 80% off 2nd Guest & Balcony Upgrades
• Last Minute Cruises from Southampton
• P&O Last Minute Cruise Deals
• Azamara Last Minute Cruise Deals
• Celebrity Cruises Last Minute Cruise Deals
• Cunard Last Minute Cruise Deals
• MSC Last Minute Cruise Deals
• Norwegian Cruise Line Last Minute Cruise Deals
• Princess Cruises Last Minute Cruise Deals
• Royal Caribbean Last Minute Cruise Deals
• Christmas & New Year Cruises
• Cruises From Southampton
• Cruises from Liverpool
• Cruises from Newcastle
• Short Breaks
• Fly Cruise Deals
• Mediterranean Cruises
• Caribbean Cruises
• Baltic Cruises
• Alaskan Cruises
• European River Cruises
• North American Cruises
• World Cruises
• Solo Travellers
• Ambassador Cruise Line
• Carnival Cruise Line
• Celebrity Cruises
• Crystal Cruises
• Fred Olsen Cruise Lines
• Holland America Line
• MSC Cruises
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Oceania Cruises
• P&O Cruises
• Princess Cruises
• Royal Caribbean International
• Virgin Voyages
• All Other Cruise Lines
• Visit Qatar
• Cruise & Stay – Luxury
• Cruise & Stay – Alaska & Canada
• Cruise & Stay – Asia
• Cruise & Stay – Australia and South Pacific
• Cruise & Stay – Caribbean
• Cruise & Stay – Dubai & The Middle East
• Cruise & Stay – Hawaii
• Cruise & Stay – Mediterranean & Europe
• Cruise & Stay – Mexico
• Cruise & Stay – South America
• Cruise & Stay – Transatlantic & Repositioning
• Luxury Cruise
• Vision Cruise TV
• Already Booked
• Direct Debit Payment
• Latest Brochures

Please wait

• Cruise Call Schedule
• Security at Cruise Liverpool

Arrival Information

Passenger Arrival Times

You should arrive at your designated time, as advised by your cruise line.

Guests who arrive early will not be allowed to enter Liverpool Cruise Terminal check-in area and will be advised to return at their designated time.

Early arrivals

Please do not arrive early to Liverpool Cruise Terminal as you wont be given access to the check in area until your allocated time.  The Royal Albert Dock is a short walk from Liverpool Cruise Terminal should you wish to enjoy something to eat and drink.

I’m arriving by taxi / I’m being dropped off by a family friend

On arrival at Liverpool Cruiser Terminal, you will be signposted by our Cruise Operations Team to the designated bag drop area before proceeding to check-in. Your baggage will be transferred separately to the ship, where it will be x-rayed and delivered to your cabin

This a ‘Kiss & Go’ zone, so drop off will be be swift  – there will be no waiting and no long goodbyes!

Can I arrive early?

You should arrive at Liverpool Cruise Terminal at your allocated time – early arrivals will not be facilitated.

Passenger Facilities

There are no food and drink facilities available at Liverpool Cruise Terminal, you should therefore stop for refreshments/lunch/comfort breaks prior to arriving at your designated time.

There are numerous food and drink venues in nearby Royal Albert Dock which is just a short walk away from Liverpool Cruise Terminal. Here you can wander the shops, enjoy a relaxing coffee or tasty lunch, prior to arriving for your appointed time.