PRESS RELEASE Date: 29 May 2012
Cruise calls bring bonus to local business
Local businesses are being encouraged to accept Euros ahead of Portland Port’s 2012 cruise season.
This year 10 cruise liners will call into Portland, with the first two already having visited the Port at the beginning of May. Portland may be the only UK port of call on many of the cruise calls itineraries, which means that passengers may only be carrying Euros. Ian McQuade, General Manager (Commercial), said: “Local businesses are advised that many cruise passengers may ask to pay for items using their Euros; if people are willing to accept this currency it will greatly benefit our visitors on the day.’
This years cruise calls will bring an additional 10,000 visitors to the area. Portland Port will be providing passengers with a complimentary shuttle bus service into Weymouth, where it is hoped that local shops, restaurants and general entertainment facilities will accept the Euro on the day of the influx of tourists.
A variety of retail outlets in Weymouth Town Centre have so far benefited from the influx of cruise passengers. From buying Shoes and cosmetics to purchasing souvenirs, the foreign visitors have bought about an increase in shop sales on the day of their call at Portland. Sarah Walton, Assistant Manager of Clarks in Weymouth said: ‘We noticed a higher influx of customers on the day of the cruise calls and it most definitely resulted in an increased turnover on the day. We will certainly be welcoming more cruise passengers to the shop in the coming months.”
Suzanne Logan, Manager of Reiker in Weymouth said: “The day of the cruise calls resulted in some phenomenal takings. It was great to serve people of all different nationalities. The more cruise calls the better.”
The remaining eight cruise calls for 2012 will call into the Port between June and September. Ian added: “2012 sees the biggest cruise season to date at the Port and 2013 is set to be even better. With such big numbers of cruise guests hopefully local shops will continue to notice an increase in their sales on the days a cruise ship is in port.”
For more information about Portland Port’s cruise calls visit or e-mail
NOTES TO EDITORS
For more information or images please contact Hayley Walker at Portland Port on 01305 825364 or
Previously a naval dockyard for over 150 years, Portland Harbour is now a thriving and successful commercial facility. It still maintains a close relationship with the past through its ongoing contract to support the RFA, as well as being home to the activities of Global Marine and Portland Bunkers International. It has over 4,000 acres of water at depths of up to 15m (C.D.); and provides vessel services from long term lay-ups to brief maintenance calls, luxury cruise liner docking facilities to industrial cargo shipments.
The tariff and general Portland Harbour Authority information can be viewed at
M/F
Portland Port has over 2,000 metres of alongside berths and 11.6 metres (C.D.) depth of water at the deepest alongside berth.
Berthing for vessels up to 300 metres (subject to Harbour Master's approval).
11 designated anchorages are within the 2,000-acre inner harbour. Six designated anchorages are within the 2,500 acre Outer Harbour.
A width of 210 metres and depth of over 12.6 metres (C.D.) at the entrance of the harbour mean that there are few vessel beam, lock, or air draft restriction.
ENDS