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Belfast, Southampton scoop Cruise Critic best port awards

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Two cities that played major roles in the Titanic tragedy have won best port awards 100 years after the disaster.

Belfast, where the liner was built, has been named best UK cruise port of call while Southampton, where most of the doomed passengers boarded, was named best UK departure port by website Cruise Critic.

The international panel, made up of cruise journalists, said: ‘Belfast has regained its former glory thanks to the ship that for many years defined its decay.

‘The stunning Titanic Belfast Centre has arguably done for Belfast what the Guggenheim did for Bilbao. The fact that more and more cruise ships are choosing Belfast as a port of call, seals its number one spot this year. ‘

On Southampton, the website explained: ‘We acknowledge the approach to Southampton is not as iconic as that of New York, but this year, the port excelled in two stand-out events—Cunard’s Three Queens [the meeting of the QUEEN VICTORIA, the QUEEN MARY 2 and the QUEEN ELIZABETH] and P&O’s Grand Event, showing it can handle a large number of ships with ease.’

It added: ‘It has also sealed its position as the number one cruise port in Europe, with a record 430 cruise ships due to visit next year.’

Cruise Critic said this year had been an ‘outstanding’ one for Belfast’s cruise business with a record breaking 43 ships visiting the Northern Ireland capital this summer.

The city’s £GBP100 million visitor attraction, Titanic Belfast, is also said to be luring record numbers of visitors after it opened in March.

Tony McAuley, Commercial Officer at Belfast Harbour, said: ‘We are delighted that the substantial investment made in recent years in providing world class tourism facilities in Belfast and Northern Ireland, such as Titanic Belfast and the Giant’s Causeway visitor centre, is recognised and appreciated by the international cruise community.’

Among other winners in the awards was Celebrity Cruises’ newest liner, CELEBRITY REFLECTION, which scooped the best new ship accolade. The cruise line was also named best for dining.

P&O Cruises took the title for being best for first-timers for its ‘wide-ranging appeal and efforts to attract new cruisers’.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines was awarded the prizes for best value for money and best itineraries, while Thomson Cruises was honoured as the best for cruising with children.

Adam Coulter, UK editor of Cruise Critic, said: ‘The Editors’ Picks Awards highlight the cruise lines which represent the best of the best.

‘We look for those which go above and beyond, or offer something truly exceptional, although it’s never an easy task as standards remain high across the cruise industry.’

Mail Online

For a full list of winners see Cruise Critic UK 2012 Editors’ Picks Awards

See also: Best Cruise Ships of 2012 announced by Cruise Critic

 


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