Royal Caribbean Chooses Southampton as Its UK Home
Royal Caribbean International cruise line has unveiled a seven-year deal with the port of Southampton under which its City Cruise Terminal will become the company’s official UK home.
“We are delighted to confirm that the port of Southampton will be the official UK home of Royal Caribbean until 2023,” ABP Southampton Director, Alastair Welch, said.
The deal also secures GBP 5.5 million (USD 7.9 million) worth of investment from the cruise line, which has so far enabled Associated British Ports (ABP), owner and operator of the Southampton port, to prepare the terminal for a new generation of ships, heralded by the arrival of the company’s latest addition Harmony of the Seas.
At 227,000 gross registered tonnes, Harmony of the Seas is the world’s largest cruise ship. The vessel officially joined its owner’s fleet on May 12 in Saint Nazaire, France.
The cruise ship will sail from Southampton on a series of short getaways to Northern Europe including Rotterdam and Cherbourg, before it sets sail on its inaugural voyage on June 5 from Barcelona, Spain.
