Latest news with #FishguardFriendlyFaces
Western Telegraph
3 days ago
- Business
- Western Telegraph
Massive cruise ship with 2,000 passengers docks at Fishguard
The 71,304 tonne AIDAsol arrived in Fishguard Harbour this morning, bringing with her 2,174 mainly German passengers to Pembrokeshire. The AIDAsol is currently on a nine-day cruise of Britain and Ireland. She left Hamburg on May 30 and sailed to Portsmouth and Falmouth before setting sail for Ireland, calling at Cork and Dubin. She has now sailed across the Irish Sea to Fishguard. This afternoon she will leave for Portland before returning to Hamburg for June 8. She arrived in port at 6.30 this morning and will depart at around 3.30 this afternoon. Passengers arriving at Fishguard Port were greeted by the award-winning Fishguard Friendly Faces who gave out goodie bags, Welsh cakes, their winning smiles and loads of advice on local attractions. To add to the warm Welsh welcome, entertainment quayside was provided by local musicians. Some passengers will have departed on coach trips to local attractions such as St Davids Cathedral, Carew Castle and Tenby. However, many more will be taking advantage of the free shuttle bus from the harbour into Fishguard to enjoy the local shops and eateries. This is the second Aida Cruises ship to dock in Fishguard this year, with the AIDAluna making her first visit to Fishguard in mid May. The AIDAsol is operated by Aida Cruises, was built in 2011, has 14 decks and was christened by Bettina Zwicker. It sails under the Italian flag and cost approximately $420 million US Dollars to build in 2011. The cruise ship spans across 14 decks and can carry a maximum of 2686 passengers and 609 crew members. The AIDAsol will return to Fishguard twice more this season; on July 17 and towards the end of the season on September 29. The next cruise ship to call into Fishguard will be the Corinthian on June 6.
Western Telegraph
15-05-2025
- Western Telegraph
AIDAluna cruise ship visits Fishguard Harbour, Pembrokeshire
The 69,000 tonne, 251 metre long AIDAluna cruise ship put down her anchor in Fishguard Harbour this morning (Thursday, May 15). The beautiful vessel, decorated with playful eyes and lips at the bow, was christened by German model and actress Franziska Knuppe in 2009. The luxury ship, which cost $390m, boasts of 13 decks, six with cabins and has just undergone a lavish refurbishment. The ship departed from Hamburg on Saturday, May 11 with 1,800 mainly German passengers on board. She is embarking on a cruise round the UK before returning to Hamburg on May 25. Before Fishguard she had called at Portland and Falmouth. After her Welsh stop she will visit Liverpool and Belfast before travelling around Scotland. This is the AIDAluna's first visit to Fishguard. She is the second cruise ship of the season, preceded by the Ocean Albatross on May 6. Around a quarter of her 1,800 passengers will head out on excursions today to destinations including Carew Castle, the National Botanic Gardens, St Davids, Tenby, Pembroke and scenic Pembrokeshire. For the 1,350 passengers staying close to port, there is a quayside market of 15 local artists, crafters and producers and Fishguard Folk Singers will entertain the passengers over the lunchtime period. The passengers are also able to take the shuttle buses, supplied by Stena Line, up into Fishguard Town, walk the coast path, explore Sea Trust at Goodwick Parrog and enjoy the local cafes, bars and shops. All the passengers will be welcomed to the twin towns by the award-winning Fishguard Friendly Faces who will share a warm welcome, big smiles and local knowledge. A total of 28 cruise ships will dock in Fishguard this season. The next cruise ship in port will be the Le Boreal, which arrives for an 11 hour stopover on May 19.
