| It seems there is a growing demand to cruise Wales | | | | From the port of Holyhead in north west Wales to |
| along with other British ports, to the extent that Wales | | | | Swansea and Newport in South Wales, Welsh ports |
| could come to emulate some of the top European | | | | can act as locomotives of economic recovery when |
| cruising destinations in a popular leisure cruise market. | | | | they encourage travellers to cruise Wales. |
| This was among the conclusions of a recent report | | | | The first cruise ship visited Newport in Summer 2009, |
| prepared by a committee of legislators in the House of | | | | where the nearby Celtic Manor Hotel will host the 2010 |
| Commons, the British Parliament. The report notes the | | | | Ryder Cup.Among the nearby attractions cruise |
| strong growth in the UK cruise market over the last | | | | passengers from Newport could visit were the |
| ten years or so, and recommends action is taken so | | | | Millennium Centre and Cardiff Castle. |
| that Wales can share in this exciting growth, and | | | | Equally when a cruise ship arrives at Holyhead on |
| thereby help to strengthen economies around Welsh | | | | Anglesey, visitors can be bused to excellent attractions |
| ports. | | | | such as World Heritage Castles of Wales at |
| But keen ocean cruise travellers looking to cruise | | | | Beaumaris and Caernarfon, Llynnon Mill and South |
| Wales should note that at present there are insufficient | | | | Stack Lighthouse, as well as walking along the |
| docking facilities and infrastructure at many Welsh | | | | excellent nearby coastal path. |
| ports to facilitate the increasingly bigger cruise liners | | | | To upgrade docking facilites for the expected increase |
| cruising North European waters. | | | | in cruise ship arrivals at Holyhead, the Welsh Assembly |
| A $2m campaign called the "Celtic Wave" and led by | | | | Government will make finance available to strengthen |
| Anglesey has started, covering ports in Ireland and | | | | the jetty used by the former Anglesey Aluminium |
| Wales, with the objective of getting more cruise | | | | smelter. This offers an excellent sheltered berth and |
| visitors to these locations and then to visit attractions in | | | | convenient disembarkation point for cruise line |
| the nearby areas. | | | | passengers. |
| In Cardiff the Welsh Assembly Government has urged | | | | When this upgrade is finished it should see the |
| the UK government to put their weight behind extra | | | | Holyhead outer harbour jetty capable of |
| infrastructure funding to get these ports, including | | | | accommodating mega liners such as the Westerdam, |
| Holyhead, Anglesey, Swansea, Newport and Milford | | | | a 2,000 passenger carrying, 285 metre liner. |
| Haven, up to the high standards expected by the | | | | There is a promising and exciting future for visitors to |
| cruise liner firms. | | | | the UK looking to cruise Wales during their west |
| Looking further out the prospects look good for Welsh | | | | European tour experience, and as a part of this |
| ports to have similar success to that enjoyed by Baltic | | | | Holyhead port will no doubt play its part as guests set |
| ports where there is already a strong and popular | | | | out to explore the many varied island attractions. |
| cruise market. | | | | |