Cruise Berth Planned For Guernsey

Guernsey has put forward a report asking the States for permission to further explore the idea of the island having it's very own cruise ship berth.

Guernsey has more than 70 cruise ship visits due and it is said cruise ship trade for the island currently see's a spend of £1.3 million, with a cruise berth this could more than triple to £6 million

It is said the estimated cost for the build would be between £25-£80 million, money certainly well spent if it will boost tourism to the island.

The department said the island was the leading UK port in the European cruise market and in 2011 saw 69 visits and more than 62,000 passengers land. This is up from 29,000 passengers in 2001 and the "cruise liner season has continued to deliver strong and consistent performance over the last 10 years".

Currently passengers get to the island via tenders, which can only operate under certain wind strengths or wave heights, and are not used by all cruise companies. This again enforcing the idea that a cruise berth is simply the best option. If weather is too bad then tenders can not be launched and this in the past has led to a high number of cancellations to the island for cruise ships simply because of the weather.

The Public Service Department said where the passengers land at the inter-island quay was not ideal as it was a multi-purpose facility and offered only basic facilities.

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