By Lucy Ashton
GREENOCK is set to have its busiest cruise ship season – and that is good news for West Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute.
The Ocean Terminal is due to be visited 91 times in 2023, a rise of around a quarter compared with last year.
As many as 150,000 passengers and 38,000 crew are expected to pass through the port and large numbers of them will visit local places such as Lomond Shores at Balloch, Helensburgh, Dumbarton and Ardardan Farm Shop and restaurant at Cardross.
Amongst ships returning to the terminal this year is MSC Virtuosa, which, in terms of gross tonnage (181,500), is the largest cruise vessel ever to come to the Clyde.
Full list of ships visiting
A new £19.2 million cruise ship visitor centre is due to open soon at the terminal.
It will feature a museum paying tribute to the renowned late artist George Wyllie, a restaurant and roof terrace with stunning views of the Clyde Coast as well as a an arrivals and departure hall.
Clydeport welcomed 71 vessels to the terminal last year.
Jim McSporran, Clydeport port director at Peel Ports, said: “We’re extremely proud to be announcing a record cruise year for Greenock Ocean Terminal.
“Welcoming cruise liners to Greenock is a hugely important aspect of our port offering and we’re delighted that we continue to attract and grow cruise numbers to the region.
“This increase in tourism will benefit visitor attractions and businesses across Inverclyde and central Scotland, and we look forward to welcoming these visitors across the season.
“In an effort to showcase the port as the cruise gateway to the West Coast of Scotland, this year we are also investing in a promotional campaign to feature at the global cruise industry’s key annual gathering in the U.S.”
Councillor Stephen McCabe, leader of Inverclyde Council, said: “The cruise sector here in Inverclyde continues to go from strength to strength and I’m delighted that this year is set to be the busiest yet with record numbers of ships and passengers, as well as a substantial number of crew visiting these shores.
“It’s timely that with 2023 shaping up to be a bumper year for cruise calls that the finishing touches are being put on our new state-of-the-art Greenock cruise ship visitor centre which will provide our guests from around the world with a first-class welcome to Inverclyde and the west coast of Scotland.
“While we can all look forward to seeing some of the largest and most luxurious ships grace these shores over the coming months, with nearly 190,000 people expected on board those vessels, there are also economic opportunities there for local businesses as visitors looking to discover Inverclyde and the many great things we have to offer.”
Great place to visit – Ardardan farm shop, restaurant, garden centre and Monty’s Farm.
Pictures by Bill Heaney
I’m Monty the cow and I am very excited to introduce my farm park that I hope you enjoy exploring.
Monty’s Farm Park is part of our wee world at Ardardan Estate, just outside Cardross.
We have lots of outdoor fun, my animal mates to meet and super unique and special wooden indoor adventure & role play barn.
Tickets are booked by clicking the wee ticket icon on the top right corner.
We can’t wait to see you and hope you have a ball making lots of memories in Monty’s!
To keep in touch with all that’s going at Monty’s and hear about our special events and tickets first follow this wee link and sign up for our Monty’s Mates Mailing List.
Click Here to Sign up for Monty’s Mates Mailing List
FAMILY FARM FUN
Monty’s is a unique farm experience where families can enjoy farm play done the Ardardan way.
Monty’s has lots to do outdoors with a unique play barn for indoor fun.
Outside we have lots going on:
Play on the ride on tractors
Meet our farm animals
Rally around on our pedal go karts
Explore our woodland
Delve into our sand pits
Play on our outdoor structures
Bounce on our jumping pillow (open when the weather is dry only)
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Booking is essential for all visits – so please click on the “Book Tickets” link to book up for the time you fancy coming.
JANUARY OFFER NEWS FLASH!
All of our sessions in January include unlimited indoor and outdoor play for as long as you like during our opening hours.
Booking is for sure advisable online (then just come along whenever suits (you get the children ready) on your chosen day! We ask that entry is at least 1 hour before our closing time – you’ll see specific times when you pop on and choose the day you fancy coming along.
OPENING TIMES
Tuesday to Sunday (times vary depending on the day so have a nosy when you chose the day you fancy coming along).
To make sure we can welcome you in to enjoy Monty’s it’s a brilliant idea to book online before coming along.
Have a nosy at our book tickets section for full details on days and times of our upcoming sessions.