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City sets course for a cruise bonanza
10:47am Tuesday 17th April 2007
Comments (54)
IT'S going to be a firework feast, super sailing, cruise calling, passenger packed, Southampton saluting record breaker!
Thousands of sightseers are expected to crowd the shoreline of Southampton Water as some of the newest, largest and most famous vessels in the world gather on the city's waterfront in a spectacular, week long cavalcade of shipping.
Never before in the city's long history as a port, has the waterfront been as busy as it will be when the docks becomes the showcase for an unprecedented number of cruise ships next week.
Among the ships that will tower high over dockland will be the brand new Liberty of the Seas, the latest addition to Royal Caribbean International's rapidly expanding fleet, Navigator of the Seas, which is about to start a summer long season in Southampton and Ocean Village Two, with its distinctive pink and orange livery, which will set sail on her maiden voyage from the port.
Together with calls made by Southampton regulars such as Queen Mary 2, Oceana, Aurora, Arcadia, Artemis, Saga Ruby, Boudicca and Sea Princess it all adds up to the busiest passenger ship period ever seen in Southampton.
For many the highspot of the week will be on Thursday, April 26 when, at about 10am, Liberty of the Seas sails past the equally impressive, Navigator of the Seas and the two huge vessels boom out a salute that will echo across the city. Later that day, at 5pm, Navigator of the Seas leaves for a two-night mini-cruise to France and back.
The amount of tonnage and passenger numbers during Southampton's so called "Golden Era'' of ocean travel, more than half a century ago, pales into insignificance when compared to present day statistics.
For example the gross tonnage of the ships in port next Tuesday will total 439,363 tonnes with a return passenger capacity of 20,440. This figure is double that of 50 years ago when Southampton had eight dedicated passenger terminals but only had to cope with a maximum gross tonnage of 240,000 at full capacity.
This Saturday signals the start of the hectic schedule that sees the port welcome a total of 15 vessels and handle 19 cruise ship and liner movements.Together the ships will have a capacity of 77,600 passengers, which means that in one week the docks will cope with 40 per cent of the passenger traffic it received during the entire 12 months of 1997, a year when 191,000 people passed through the port.
Activity will peak next Tuesday when the vast Liberty of the Seas, Cunard's QM2 together with P&O Cruises' Oriana are all in port together with Ocean Village Two, which will be officially named that day.
Ocean Village Two, the second vessel to be brought into service by the Southampton based company, is set to arrive in Southampton for the first time tomorrow but as yet a time has not been finalised. She will leave the following day at 8pm for a short two-night "shake-down'' voyage, returning on Saturday.
The ship, designed to appeal to passengers looking for an informal, casual cruise, will be officially named on Tuesday, April 24 by supermodel, Jodie Kidd and her sister, the celebrity make-up artist, Jemma Kidd, who will together smash the traditional bottle of champagne over the decks of Ocean Village Two.
The following day, Ocean Village Two will leave on her maiden voyage from Southampton for Palma, Majorca where she will be based throughout the summer.
Peter Shanks, Ocean Village's managing director, said: "We are thrilled to be part of this record-breaking week.
"Not only is it historic for Southampton but Ocean Village Two will also be making history as the first British ship to boast two godmothers.'' Ray Facey, Southampton's assistant port manager, said: " It is an extremely exciting time for the port. Every year the cruise industry in the UK increases in capacity and in popularity and next week, particularly the Tuesday, is a testament to how far the cruise market has grown over the last ten years.
"As the UK's leading passenger ship port this is great news for Southampton and for the local economy in terms of job creation and tourism.'' This Saturday Queen Elizabeth 2 and Celebrity Cruises' Millennium will arrive early in the morning and then depart again at 5pm and 6pm respectively.
Liberty of the Seas, the joint biggest cruise ship in the world and sister to Freedom of the Seas, which called at the city last year, will make her dramatic entrance on Sunday when she makes her way through the Solent and up Southampton Water to berth at the City Cruise Terminal, next door to Mayflower Park, at 7am.
At 9.45pm that evening and, at the same time, on Monday a glittering firework display will light up the night sky over Liberty of the Seas. More fireworks will soar into the air on Tuesday evening, this time at 9pm, before the ship leaves for a two-night cruise at 10pm.
Sunday will also see the arrival and departure of P&O Cruises' Oceana at 38/9 berth in the Eastern Docks and Aurora at the Mayflower Terminal in the Western Docks.
On Monday, April 23 Arcadia and Artemis, both part of P&O Cruises' Southampton based fleet, arrive first thing in the morning before embarking passengers later in the afternoon.
Saga Ruby and Constellation are in port on Wednesday, April 25, Saga Rose arrives and departs the following day and on Friday the Fred Olsen Cruise Line ship, Boudicca is set to make a call.
Navigator of the Seas returns to port on Saturday and leaves again at 5pm while Princess Cruises' ship, Sea Princess is due to leave at the same time.
All the dates and times are correct as of today but changes to scheduled arrivals and departures can happen.
Your Say YourThis is Hampshire
Ken, Hythe says...
3:55pm Tue 17 Apr 07
Emma wrote:Probably went the same way as your apostrophe...and question mark.
Hey, wheres my comment gone!
Emma, Millbrook says...
4:20pm Tue 17 Apr 07
Lauren, Lyndhurst says...
4:21pm Tue 17 Apr 07
Ken wrote:How rude!
Emma wrote: Hey, wheres my comment gone!Probably went the same way as your apostrophe...and question mark.
Shelia, Totton says...
4:28pm Tue 17 Apr 07
Laura, Totton says...
4:29pm Tue 17 Apr 07
Emma, Millbrook says...
4:30pm Tue 17 Apr 07
Laura, Totton says...
4:31pm Tue 17 Apr 07
Emma, Millbrook says...
4:32pm Tue 17 Apr 07
Laura, Totton says...
4:32pm Tue 17 Apr 07
Emma, Millbrook says...
4:33pm Tue 17 Apr 07
Laura wrote:Duh!!!
Ok so your saying because we're from Totton we're thick?
Laura, Totton says...
4:34pm Tue 17 Apr 07
Emma, Millbrook says...
4:35pm Tue 17 Apr 07
Laura wrote:I'm just surprised you could read it!
Oh my god!! I soooooooooooo can't believe you just said that!!
Laura, Totton says...
4:36pm Tue 17 Apr 07
Emma, Millbrook says...
4:38pm Tue 17 Apr 07
Laura wrote:Actually mush I live in a villa in Marbella! Not on a council estate in Totton with my 10 kids by 5 different men.
Yeah I can read thanks, they teach us that at the schools in Totton. So tell me Emma, which of the lovely council houses in Millbrook is yours??
Laura, Totton says...
4:39pm Tue 17 Apr 07
Paul, Southampton says...
4:40pm Tue 17 Apr 07
Paul, Southampton says...
4:41pm Tue 17 Apr 07
Emma, Millbrook says...
4:41pm Tue 17 Apr 07
Laura wrote:Didn't teach you how to count at that school then! No doubt all 4 were born before your 16th Birthday! Chav
Yeah thanks for that, I only have 4 kids by 6 different fathers
Emma, Millbrook says...
4:43pm Tue 17 Apr 07
Paul wrote:No, you! If you dont like it don't read it. From Totton aswell are you!
Grow up.
Tom Pax, Sway says...
4:46pm Tue 17 Apr 07
ps It sounds as if you are both uneducated morons living in $hitholes
Emma, Millbrook says...
4:48pm Tue 17 Apr 07
Tom Pax wrote:Learn to read you uneducated moron her name is LAURA....I live in a very nice house in a very nice place. Time of the month..idiot!
Emma,Lauren - time of the month girls is it? ps It sounds as if you are both uneducated morons living in $hitholes
Bodyform for you, Southampton says...
4:52pm Tue 17 Apr 07
Emma, Millbrook says...
5:00pm Tue 17 Apr 07
Bodyform for you wrote:That is very true... But they are still better than Totton.
There aren't any nice houses in Millbrook - Dumbo!
Hubert Humphries, Southampton says...
5:03pm Tue 17 Apr 07
lake, WEST Totton says...
5:06pm Tue 17 Apr 07
Emma, Millbrook says...
5:07pm Tue 17 Apr 07
Hubert Humphries wrote:So I read on another story, its amazing how much dealers can make in Millbrook now to buy a villa
Dave from Millbrook has a 4 bed villa in Marbella though!
Emma, Millbrook says...
5:08pm Tue 17 Apr 07
lake wrote:From Totton then...she couldnt come to the Red Lion they dont allow kids and she has 4 by 6 men. CHAV
can you two bints stop slagging off each other. You are both giving your respective towns bad names. Do us all a favour and meet up for a nice cat fight to settle it. Maybe the Red Lion? I will be cheering for Laura.
Shelia, Totton says...
5:10pm Tue 17 Apr 07
PC Pibus, Southampton says...
5:10pm Tue 17 Apr 07
lake wrote:You would probably feel aggrieved with regard to attitude when the cat fight is broken up by Totton's finest.
can you two bints stop slagging off each other. You are both giving your respective towns bad names. Do us all a favour and meet up for a nice cat fight to settle it. Maybe the Red Lion? I will be cheering for Laura.
Laura, Totton says...
5:12pm Tue 17 Apr 07
Emma, Millbrook says...
5:13pm Tue 17 Apr 07
Laura wrote:Thats how you ended up with all those kids!
Lets make love, not war!
Totton rocks, Totton says...
5:14pm Tue 17 Apr 07
Laura wrote:You name the shop doorway and I'll meet you there!
Lets make love, not war!
Emma, Millbrook says...
5:15pm Tue 17 Apr 07
PC Pibus wrote:No bad attitude or sarcasm in that comment at all.
lake wrote: can you two bints stop slagging off each other. You are both giving your respective towns bad names. Do us all a favour and meet up for a nice cat fight to settle it. Maybe the Red Lion? I will be cheering for Laura.You would probably feel aggrieved with regard to attitude when the cat fight is broken up by Totton's finest.
Emma, Millbrook says...
5:16pm Tue 17 Apr 07
Totton rocks wrote:One of your regular customers eh Laura!
Laura wrote: Lets make love, not war!You name the shop doorway and I'll meet you there!
Laura, Totton says...
5:16pm Tue 17 Apr 07
Totton rocks wrote:Is Asda car park good for u?
Laura wrote: Lets make love, not war!You name the shop doorway and I'll meet you there!
Emma, Millbrook says...
5:20pm Tue 17 Apr 07
Laura wrote:Classy Bird!
Totton rocks wrote:Is Asda car park good for u?Laura wrote: Lets make love, not war!You name the shop doorway and I'll meet you there!
Laura, Totton says...
5:21pm Tue 17 Apr 07
Emma, Millbrook says...
5:22pm Tue 17 Apr 07
Laura wrote:Not from your clients but the STD clinic are always seeing your customers!
I don't normally get any complaints darling!
Dickie Cox, Totton says...
5:24pm Tue 17 Apr 07
Laura wrote:I've had itchy bits ever since I saw you last young lady.
I don't normally get any complaints darling!
STD CLINIC, SOUTHAMPTON says...
5:26pm Tue 17 Apr 07
Laura, Totton says...
5:26pm Tue 17 Apr 07
Dickie Cox wrote:Oops, really sorry Dickie, u wana refund?
Laura wrote: I don't normally get any complaints darling!I've had itchy bits ever since I saw you last young lady.
Stacey, Thornhill says...
6:33pm Tue 17 Apr 07
Isaak Hunt, says...
7:05pm Tue 17 Apr 07
Laura, Totton says...
8:48pm Tue 17 Apr 07
Stacey wrote:To be honest Stacey I can normally get £10 in Totton on a good night, but normally around £3.50 for everything!
Laura & Emma, how much do you charge, because I havent been getting much business lately and thought that maybe you are undercutting me? I've been charging a fiver for the lot
Emma, Millbrook says...
9:43pm Tue 17 Apr 07
Isaak Hunt wrote:Excuse me dont tar me with the same brush. I am no slapper im not from Totton watch yourself you ignorant little man
Pair of slappers.
amazed, says...
1:36am Wed 18 Apr 07
Robert, says...
2:33am Wed 18 Apr 07
Laura, Totton says...
10:40pm Wed 18 Apr 07
Dazwaz, Hythe says...
10:38am Mon 23 Apr 07
This $hit should be used for the Totton and Millbrook tourist board.
"You name the shop doorway and I'll meet you there!" - Brilliant girls. Sheer class!
Emma, Millbrook says...
11:14am Mon 23 Apr 07
Andy, Keeping my distance says...
11:50am Mon 23 Apr 07
foxy boxing, near Asda says...
4:52pm Mon 23 Apr 07
Cold Foster, Taz says...
10:15pm Sun 29 Apr 07
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Emma, Millbrook says...
2:42pm Tue 17 Apr 07