Lerwick Harbour welcomes record breaking cruise ship

Lerwick Harbour has today welcomed the largest ever cruise ship to visit the isles, since records began in 1928.

The Celebrity Silhouette made her maiden call at Lerwick today as part of a 14 night British Isles Cruise.

This is the second time this year that the record for largest cruise ship has been broken, following the visit of the Azura on Thursday, 30th June.

The Azura measures at 290 metres and has a gross tonnage of 115,055 but is topped by the 315 metre and 122,210 gross tonne Celebrity Silhouette.

Passengers on board the cruise ship received a special Viking welcome on Victoria Pier by members of the 2016 Jarl Squad – including the port authority’s harbourmaster Captain Calum Grains.

Captain Grains said: “The visit by Celebrity Silhouette will be another highlight of a record-breaking season and in the long involvement of Lerwick and Shetland with the cruise industry.

“The sheltered and safe, deep-water anchorages and proven modern landing-stage facilities make the harbour an ideal port-of-call for large cruise ships.”

He added: “The port is set for a special hat-trick this summer, with the highest number of cruise vessel arrivals, passengers and tonnage of shipping yet, including the biggest ship. There are also excellent bookings for next year.”

The Celebrity Silhouette is the fourth of five cruise ships on successive days and has a capacity for 2,886 passengers. Living Lerwick has made calls for shops to open to meet this mini invasion.