Three cruise liners are due to arrive in Liverpool this week, one for the very first time.
Today (Tuesday) the giant Emerald Princess is at the cruise terminal from around 8am to 6pm. The vessel is stopping over in Liverpool as part of a 12-day round trip around the British Isles from Southampton. The destinations also include Guernsey, Ireland, Scotland, and Le Havre in France.
The ship has 19 decks, 1,539 passenger cabins and 1,200 crew members. Onboard guests can enjoy an array of activities including shops, art galleries and auctions, a casino, theatre, pools and a nightclub. There is also a huge range of restaurants. Princess Cruises said: "Every hour, our chefs are busy baking, grilling and sautéing great-tasting fare from scratch.
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"Princess offers unparalleled inclusive dining options throughout the ship with a wide range of culinary delights to suit any palate, from endless buffet choice to gourmet pizza, frosty treats, decadent desserts and much more."
On Wednesday, Liverpool will welcome a new visitor for the first time. Costa Fortuna is on a 12-day round trip around Northern Europe from Bremerhaven in Germany.
The ship boasts a total of 464 balcony cabins, nine swimming pools and hot tubs, five restaurants and 10 bars and lounges. On its website, operator Costa said: "Everything on board is a tribute to the great transatlantic liners of the past. Decorations are inspired by the roaring twenties, elegance is in every little detail, and there are even authentic reproductions of vintage advertising posters.
"Dinner awaits you in gourmet restaurants, with menus of delicious cuisine every evening. And between the theatre, lounge bar, swimming pools, hot tubs, games room and casino, your cruise will have no limits."
Finally, on Friday, the Norwegian Dawn will make a return visit, as part of a 10-day one-way cruise from Amsterdam to Southampton. Operated by Norwegian Cruise Line, the ship was the first NCL vessel to carry hull art. Planned as a way to promote the ship, the concept was well received and hull art was incorporated on most of the operator's other vessels.
The ship boasts restaurants, bars, entertainment and activity areas, and an eight-deck-high atrium. It has been in service since 2002 and was christened in an elaborate ceremony in Manhattan by the Liverpool-born Sex and the City star, Kim Cattrall.
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