Sunday, August 4, 2024
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Aberdeen Port welcomes Costa Favolosa, its largest ship in 888 years, in a historic moment with a great Scottish welcome.
Aberdeen Port witnessed a historic moment It also hosted Costa Favolosa, the largest ship ever to call at the port in its 888-year history. On 26 July, the 290-metre Costa Favolosa sailed into the South Harbour from Kirkwall, stopping for a day before continuing her journey to Edinburgh. The arrival of the ship, carrying 4,000 passengers and crew, was celebrated with a special Scottish welcome, including performances by the Robert Gordon College Pipe Band and the Alba Bagpipes, as well as the warm hospitality of the VisitAberdeenshire volunteer group.
The visit is part of the port’s stellar cruise season, with a 150% increase over the previous year, with a total of 60 cruise calls. Looking ahead, the port has bookings through 2027, and anticipates more than 100 cruise stops, including notable names such as Fred. Olsen Cruises and Holland America.
Marilyn Mitchell, Commercial Director at the Port of Aberdeen, expressed her enthusiasm: “It is a pleasure to see Costa Favolosa in our port. This event highlights the collective effort and dedication, particularly from our team at South Harbour and our partners at Cruise Aberdeenshire, who have worked tirelessly to enhance the attractiveness and capacity of our region to host such important ships.”
Chris Foy, CEO of VisitAberdeenshire, emphasised the ongoing improvements to the guest experience, saying: “We are constantly working to improve the welcome services for our visitors, and expand opportunities for local businesses to engage with the cruise market.”
Ian McQuade, Chairman of Cruise Britain, also commented on the significance of the event, saying: “The arrival of Costa Favolosa in Aberdeen is a historic event. The development of the South Port has been crucial to accommodate larger ships, which in turn boosts tourism and brings significant economic benefits to Aberdeen and the wider Aberdeenshire region.”
In addition to Costa Favolosa, July also saw inaugural visits from AIDA Cruises’ Ambassador’s Ambience and AIDAsol, cementing Aberdeen’s position as a key destination on cruise itineraries.
