Dundee is making strides towards becoming the cruise capital of Scotland after experiencing a 600% surge in the number of luxury ships docking at the port in just three years.
Capital Cruising say the massive rise in the number of exclusive vessels carrying visitors to and from the city’s port in 2017 is higher than it has been for a decade, with the growing sector said to be bringing “tens of thousands” of pounds to the city.
More and more cruise ships are choosing to anchor at the Port of Dundee, with 14 “cruise calls” booked this year alone – a rise on the figure for 2016, which was 10. Only six were welcomed in 2015 and just two in 2014.
Rob Mason – head of cruise at Capital Cruising, which is part of Forth Ports Ltd -said the spike in high-end vessels coming to the Tay is a testament to the city.
He added that investment in the Dundee waterfront and attractions in Angus and Fife, such as Glamis Castle and the golf courses of St Andrews, are a factor in the number of visits.
Mr Mason said: “We have really seen a bit of an upswing in the past few years. It is spread between transit calls calling in to see the sites such as Glamis Castle and St Andrews.
“There is a growing number of calls. This year we have seen 14 cruise calls, that has gone up over the last year. 2011 had one. The industry as a whole has really grown.
“In terms of Dundee, it is probably one of the fastest growing cruise ports. In the last 10 years now we have seen the growth that we have.
“People want to so something different and the marine facilities in Dundee are good. You have got some good drivers in terms of the £1 billion Dundee waterfront redevelopment, you have got the V and A that is coming.
“You can offer a more unique experience. It is really the history I suppose, the culture, the heritage. For cruise it makes for a really exciting itinerary.
He added the cruise sector was worth “tens of thousands” of pounds.
“It is all about the economic benefit. You’ll be into six figures in terms of calls”, said Mr Mason.
“You have got people that will call at Dundee, they want to come back because they are keen on Angus or Tayside.”
Alongside Dundee, Capital Cruising also operates from Leith, Rosyth, South Queensferry and Newhaven Harbour. Across all ports there has been 122 cruise calls – carrying some 150,000 passengers – booked in 2017.
Mr Mason added that more and more locals in Tayside and Fife were choosing to take holidays on the high seas.
Mr Mason added: “Instead of going to Southampton to cruise, people are going from their home port.”
Dundee is attracting everything from large “resort-style vessels” to smaller, “boutique” ones such as the Sea Cloud II – which docked on the Tay on Wednesday.
The five-star, 347ft cruise ship was built in Keil, Germany, and is made up of four decks, a gym, restaurant, library and lounge. It stopped in the waterfront ahead of its tour of Norway and the UK.
Mr Mason said: “The Sea Cloud II, really it is one of the most exclusive you can get in terms of a sailing ship. It was here twice in 2016 and twice in 2017. It is as exclusive as she gets, very boutique.
“You get your small boutique boats and you get your large resort vessels, this is just a nice, very pleasant ship to look at.
“What is nice about Dundee is people come out and meet and greet the ships as it heads off. There is a real feel good factor in Dundee. people love to see them come in.”
