Cruises to leave from Avonmouth
AVONMOUTH is set to become Britain's latest holiday cruise port.
Once Bristol's busiest docks, but now overshadowed by its near neighbour Royal Portbury, it is about to undergo a revival as a departure point for thousands of sea-going holidaymakers.
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The 17,500-tonne Ocean Countess which will operate from Avonmouth and offer 'traditional' cruises
Cruise and Maritime Voyages revealed today that it would be launching a full programme of cruises direct from Avonmouth next year.
The UK company operates two "classic and traditional" style cruise ships, Ocean Countess and Marco Polo. Ocean Countess will be sailing from Avonmouth. The 17,500-tonne vessel is a former Cunard ship and offers 'traditional, smaller-ship cruises'.
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Sue Turner, spokeswoman for the Bristol Port Company, said they were delighted the cruise ships would be operating from Avonmouth.
She said: "If you go back in history, you will see that Brunel had a vision of opening up travel for people by taking them by rail to Bristol and then across the Atlantic and other parts of the world by ship.
"What we have now is a 21st century version of that vision.
Departures start in February with a 28-night voyage to the West Indies, followed by a 15-night cruise up to the Norwegian Arctic region in search of the Northern Lights.
At Easter there is the opportunity to cruise to Spain and Portugal on an eight-night cruise, while during April there is a choice of five cruises including a special Springtime Gardens cruise to Dublin, Guernsey, the Isles of Scilly and Falmouth; a Celtic theme cruise with visits to Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man, and another to the spectacular Norwegian fjords.
The final one of this debut season will be a ten-night cruise called Treasures of the British Isles.
Announcing the launch of cruises direct from Avonmouth, the firm's commercial director Chris Coates said: "Our first eight departures of Ocean Countess in 2013 will be from Bristol Avonmouth.
"We have already established a following of regular passengers from the South West of England so we have every confidence that our decision to add the port to our portfolio will be welcomed. Our research, based on customer satisfaction questionnaires, shows that 95 per cent of our passengers rated the enjoyment of their CMV cruise experience as excellent or good.
"Our feedback also shows that a convenient departure port is a key factor, hence our plans for Bristol."
Mrs Turner added: "Cruise holidays are now very popular and instead of the hassle of flying out to Mediterranean ports to get on a ship or travelling to Southampton, people will be able to use the M4 or M5 which makes the whole thing a very easy proposition.
"We can also offer high security parking which means people know they can leave their vehicles in complete safety.
"All in all, it makes cruise holidays very easy and we are delighted these voyages are being offered from our port."
Prices start from £399 for the five-night night Springtime Gardens cruise.
â Post readers have the chance to snap up some exclusive deals of our own. http://www.newmarket.travel/BEP00005
Comments
by lolly60
Monday, March 18 2013, 5:23PM
“Have had a change of heart about Avonmouth developing as a port for cruise ships to depart from, i Have just got back from the Caribbean on a cruise ship and many of the ports we docked out were nothing more than working ports like Avonmouth ,all they have to do is put a nice area for the passengers to depart from the ship and then it would be ok.”
by bowbrick
Saturday, June 30 2012, 6:40PM
“*****!! I'm with you on that one Taxpayerbris!! Avonmouth dock certainly needs to 'clean up their act' and think about new Tenants if they are wanting to draw in potential travellers. Will they provide dust masks and warning signs about the wood dust problem that us people of Avonmouth have been fighting all relevant agencies about for the past 2 years, that seem to be falling onto deaf ears?? Or, could this be the light at the end of the tunnel for local residents that Stobarts' will finally get their marching orders to go pollute someone elses air - we've had our fair share thanks very much!!
Also, what about the M4 & M5? With the M5 being the gateway to the South, we have horrendous traffic problems as it is (let alone car pollution), especially on a Friday/Weekend/Holidays. It can take over an hour just to get from one part of Bristol to the other - might as well travel to Birmingham, would be quicker!!
Yes, well done to the brainchild who thought all this up, if not thought about properly it will only bring the locals' more misery with more pollution and more lower paid jobs that the typical local homeowners would not be able to afford to take up. So let's not get our hopes up too much for the all new fantastic Avonmouth that we all so deserve, but, if done right, and we get a complete makeover, then I'm all for it!!”
by taxpayerbris
Saturday, June 30 2012, 5:03PM
“And all the tourist are going to love the fact they can pick up cancer on the start of their cruise, Stobarts can givethem a commemorative bag of sawdust to take with them.. Perhaps the Environment Agency can license their logo for the authentic stamp of approved tumours.”
by PortisheadAH1
Saturday, June 30 2012, 9:56AM
“Great plans by the Bristol Port Company for these cruises and what a great way for people in the South-West to access destinations further afield than journeying on the congested M5 and M4 motorways to the South. May help the new rail link initiative as well.”
by malololailai
Saturday, June 30 2012, 1:47AM
“you're missing the point. The key issue is whether the cruise company can encourage potential cruise customers to use Avonmouth as a starting point, not whether Avonmouth looks nice.
With a marketplace of the whole of the SW of England , the Midlands, and Wales being able to access Bristol easily by road, it could be a successful port for Cruise n Maritime Voyages. Prior/after the cruises gives Bristol a chance to promote itself [Bath as well], because the cruises/voyages will be patronized by overseas passengers as well as Brits.”
by lolly60
Saturday, June 30 2012, 12:31AM
“Think i will stick to flying out then getting my ship,dont like the look of avonmouth never have thought its a bit of dump but if others like it then good luck to them”
by malololailai
Friday, June 29 2012, 11:57PM
“Should have happened years ago; well done Avonmouth! could be the start of more cruise companies using it as a base?”
by davespirates
Friday, June 29 2012, 10:50PM
“Good for Avonmouth and Bristol I don't think people will worry to much what Avonmouth Docks look like Southampton is very much a working dock with lorries coming in and out all the time and up until recently the QE2 sailed from there.So well done it will bring in money and jobs which has got to be a good thing.”
by swrural
Friday, June 29 2012, 9:54PM
“Environmental vision of the 80s. 'Get there by M4 and M5' - says it all.”
by collegefields
Friday, June 29 2012, 9:23PM
“Well done Avonmouth, I went through the village the other day on business, seemed to be busy and thriving. Also streets were clean and tidy. I hope more business comes your way.”