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AWARD WINNING BELFAST'S MUSICAL WELCOME  FOR MEIN SCHIFF 2

Lord Mayor welcomes Mein SchiffLuxury German cruise liner Mein Schiff 2 sailed into Belfast Harbour, winner of Best Improved Port Facilities Award from the prestigious Dream World Cruise Destinations magazine. Over  2,000 visitors and crew arrived onboard to visit the city on the ship's maiden visit. With an early morning port call, guests were greeted to the sounds of the bagpipes as they disembarked for a day of sightseeing and exploration across Belfast and Northern Ireland.

Mein Schiff 2 is the 27th of 31 cruise ships to dock in Belfast this year, a number which is set to increase to 40 in 2012.

The success of the Cruise Belfast Initiative, which promotes the city as a port of call for international cruise liners’ itineraries, can be attributed to the partnership between the Belfast Visitor & Convention Bureau (BVCB) and Belfast Harbour.

Dockside, the Mayor of Belfast, Councillor NiallÓ Donnghaile, was ready to welcome the passengers ashore.  The Mayor then engaged in the traditional exchanging of plaques custom with the Mein Schiff’s Captain Michael Block.  Steeped in history, this international maritime practice commemorates a vessel’s first time visit to a city.

Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Niall Ó Donnghaile, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Captain Michael Block and the impressive Mein Schiff 2 to Belfast. I am encouraged to see the number of cruise ships docking in the city and next year we will welcome 40, our highest number yet. This will bring additional tourism and revenue opportunities for the city and beyond. The number of repeat visits by cruise ships is also on the increase, evidence of Belfast’s popularity as a must-see tourist destination and reflecting the warm welcome and wide variety of things for passengers to do.”

2011 marks the thirteenth year since the first liner docked in Belfast. Since then, the Cruise Belfast initiative has attracted 269 cruise ships to the city, welcoming 347,847 passengers and crew to Belfast and Northern Ireland.  

The last liner to visit Belfast in 2011, Fred Olsen’s Black Watch, will arrive on Thursday 29th September 2011 bringing to an end another successful and busy cruise season for the city.

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