Bristol salute to cruise ship skipper

The captain of the first cruise ship to visit Bristol in 10 years is set to be given the Freedom of the City.

John McNeill, skipper of the 41,000-tonne Regent Seven Seas Voyager, will be given the honour when the ship drops anchor in Avonmouth on September 7.

The stop, which will include a reception on board the ss Great Britain, is part of a 10-day cruise that starts in Copenhagen and finishes in Southampton.

The ship's 450 crew will serve 700 passengers at a cost of £3,500 each.

The last cruise ship to visit the city was the Cunard Royal Viking Sun, which docked at Portbury 10 years ago during a two-week cruise from Dover to Copenhagen.

Captain McNeill said: "I am greatly honoured to be sailing into Bristol on September 7 and to be receiving the key to this historical and nautical city.

"It will be a privilege to step from an ultra-luxury modern ship to Brunel's ss Great Britain, and see how cruising in the 1840s compares to today. I have already been given a heartfelt welcome and I'm looking forward to returning the sentiments when I welcome the Lord Mayor on board Seven Seas Voyager.

"Ultra-luxury cruising is facing exciting times ahead. Regent is set to increase the number of UK departures and as such will be the only ultra-luxury cruise line catering to the growing number of British guests who want to sail to and from Britain, without flying."

The vast size and deep water of the Bristol ports, especially Portbury, means that they can accommodate some of the biggest vessels carrying more than 3,000 passengers.