The Port of Larne is preparing to welcome a cruise ship to the Harbour for the first time ever.
MV Funchal will sail into the port on 20th April to pick up its 500 passengers who are embarking on an 11-night cruise visiting Portugal, Spain, Gibraltar and Morocco before returning to Larne on 1st May.
Described as a classic cruise liner, mv Funchal is a 10,000tonne vessel with charming interiors and a yacht-like atmosphere served by a 155-strong Portuguese crew.
Mr Alastair Gardiner, Managing Director, Port of Larne comments: "This is a very exciting time for the Port of Larne, preparing for the first ever cruise ship to sail into our port. We look forward to welcoming mv Funchal on 20th April and wish all her passengers and crew an enjoyable cruise."
This is the first time that the Port of Larne has acted as host for a cruise ship but as Mr Gardiner explains, it is hoped that this will be the first of many. "The Port of Larne is the ideal port to facilitate smaller cruise ships like mv Funchal. We are fully equipped to meet the needs of cruise ships and can provide a full check-in and baggage handling facility passengers. There are a number of ships similar to mv Funchal offering a range of cruises to and from European ports and we are very keen to develop this market for the Port of Larne."
The mv Funchal will arrive in Larne at 0930 on 20th April and depart at 1630.
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Notes to Editors: For further information contact Sharon Toner, 028 2887 2182