UK's largest liner Britannia calls into the River Forth
The UK’s largest and newest cruise liner, P&O Cruises’ Britannia, called into the River Forth on 8 July with around 5,000 people on board as part of her first British Isles tour, the company said in its press release.
The brand new 141,000 tonne luxury liner, which was launched by Her Majesty the Queen earlier this year, was warmly welcomed into the river by tugs displaying their water cannons in the time honoured way as she made her way to Forth Ports’ new anchorage point off Newhaven, near Leith, Edinburgh.
P&O Cruises Britannia’s maiden itinerary, which many are describing as a lap of honour, is a celebration of all things British, from its bold Union Flag livery, contemporary elegant design and cutting edge art collection to the best chefs this country has to offer, the range of British cheeses and its Great British Beer and Gin menus. During its day-long call at Newhaven, many passengers disembarked using a tender operation managed by Forth Ports, to enjoy bus tours calling at the iconic Falkirk Wheel, the Kelpies, the golfing attractions of St Andrews and the World Heritage Site of Edinburgh while others strolled along from Newhaven Harbour to nearby Leith to visit The Royal Yacht Britannia.
Forth Ports’ new cruise ship anchorage operation off Newhaven Harbour was opened this season to accommodate larger liners like Britannia who have thousands of passengers on board looking for direct access to Edinburgh. The anchorage point will see a further three calls during the 2015 season.
