Cruise Wales and Visit World Heritage Castles of Wales on Anglesey
Written by David Phillips   
Friday, 20 November 2009 09:16
With increasing numbers of people wanting to cruise Wales along with other UK ports, there is a strong possibility that Wales will before long emulate major European cruise ports as a destination for the big leisure cruise market. This is how the Welsh Affairs Select Committee of legislators in the House of Commons, the British Parliament, concluded their report. It points to strong growth in the UK cruise market over the last ten years or so, and urges the need to secure some growth in cruise ship visits to bolster the economies of Welsh port communities.
by DavidPhillips


With increasing numbers of people wanting to cruise Wales along with other UK ports, there is a strong possibility that Wales will before long emulate major European cruise ports as a destination for the big leisure cruise market. This is how the Welsh Affairs Select Committee of legislators in the House of Commons, the British Parliament, concluded their report. It points to strong growth in the UK cruise market over the last ten years or so, and urges the need to secure some growth in cruise ship visits to bolster the economies of Welsh port communities.

If you are an enthusiastic cruise traveller just be aware that before you make early bookings to cruise Wales there is currently some difficulty with offering suitable facilities for berthing at some Welsh ports, where the infrastructure needs to be upgraded to cater for the fast growing fleet of big ships cruising European waters. "Celtic Wave" is a campaign led by Anglesey with a budget of around $2m and covering Irish and Welsh ports, which aims to attract more cruise ship visitors to these ports and their economic hinterlands.

In Cardiff the Welsh Assembly Government is urging the UK government to offer extra infrastructure investment to get ports like Holyhead on Anglesey, Swansea and Milford Haven up to a quality threshold demanded by the cruise line operators. There is a mega potential boost for local port economies, according to the conclusions of the House of Commons Welsh Affairs Committee, and their regional economies would benefit by making it easier for people to cruise Wales as part of the UK cruising vacation.

Looking further ahead the outlook is encouraging for Welsh ports to catch up with Baltic ports where there is already a popular cruise market. From Newport, Swansea, Milford haven all the way to Holyhead in the North West, ports in Wales can be the drivers of economic regeneration when they attract travellers to cruise Wales. The summer of 2009 saw the first cruise ship visit Newport, and in 2010 nearby Celtic Manor will host the Ryder Cup. The cruise passengers from Newport had the chance to see Cardiff attractions including the Millennium Centre and the castle.

In the same upon arrival at the port of Holyhead on Anglesey, cruise visitors would be able to see some fantastic attractions including World Heritage Castles of Wales at Beaumaris and Caernarfon, South Stack Lighthouse and Llynnon Mill. Then there is the 125 mile long island coastal path with breathtaking views, and the notable Oriel Art Gallery and Seawatch centre at Moelfre.

To boost the berthing facilities for the anticipated increase in cruise ship arrivals at Holyhead, the Welsh Assembly Government is providing financial support to strengthen the jetty used by Anglesey Aluminium Metals (AAM), which provides excellent sheltered anchorage and a convenient disembarkation point for cruise line passengers. When completed this upgrade will see the Holyhead outer harbour jetty strong enough to allow mega liners such as the 2,000 passenger carrying, 285 metre Westerdam to berth at Holyhead Port.

Looking ahead the prospects looks good for potential UK cruise visitors wanting to cruise Wales as part of their overall itinerary, and for sure Holyhead port will be set to give them a great welcome as they set out to search for the various attractions on and off the island.

About the Author:

The author, David Phillips, writes from the magical island of Anglesey off North Wales, UK and runs a helpful online resource focusing on local news and information. Learn more about planning to cruise Wales here to help make your holiday more enjoyable.