Liverpool is a leading port of call and homeport for Cruise vessels across the world. Built on a maritime history spanning centuries, Liverpool is regularly highlighted by global travel publications as a must-see visitor destination.
Liverpool Cruise Terminal, operated by the Cruise Liverpool team has welcomed more than 700,000 passengers to the city since opening in 2007. But those ships don’t just turn up out of nowhere. It is down to the hard work and operations of the Cruise Liverpool team.
In this short article we introduce you to the Cruise Liverpool team and share an insight into the work they put in, to ensure that Liverpool is firmly on the cruising map.
What does Cruise Liverpool do?
In an operational sense, the Cruise team manages berthing for visiting ships on Liverpool’s historic waterfront. The team welcomes passengers through the terminal both off visiting ships and onto ships that are starting their journey.
Passengers often book onto local excursions, tours and experiences during their time in the city. The location of the Cruise terminal means that the city centre offer is easily accessible, meaning passengers bring a valuable income stream to the retail and leisure sector.
The location of the Liverpool terminal is unique in the UK. Many other UK terminals are further away from the city centre and hospitality businesses.
By 2023 Cruise Liverpool will have facilitated 500 cruise calls, welcomed 1 million passengers and crew and generated an economic impact of 72M.
But as previously mentioned, this doesn’t just happen on its own.
There is a much larger role within the Cruise Team than day to day operation of the terminal. There are several individuals who are tasked with selling Liverpool to the world of cruising. They do this by attending trade shows such as Seatrade Cruise Global, Seatrade Cruise Med and are an active member of Cruise Britain and Cruise Europe.
Cruise Liverpool Facts and Figures
Liverpool’s marine infrastructure has long been considered amongst the best in Europe and is fully equipped to handle the largest cruise ships in the world.
On the West Coast of the UK, Liverpool is ideally placed in the Irish Sea for Round Britain and Ireland transit calls as well as North European, Norwegian Fjord and Transatlantic itineraries.
In 2015 the Three Queens performed synchronised turns on the River Mersey as part of the Cunard 175 Anniversary
In 2022 Cruise Liverpool will welcome over 100 cruise ships.
The Disney Magic liner first visited Liverpool in 2016 and now continues to visit the city each year.
By 2023, 1 million international passengers and crew will have berthed at Liverpool Cruise Terminal
By 2023 Liverpool Cruise Terminal will have welcomed 500 cruise calls.
The Cruise Liverpool Team
It takes a group of cruising and city experts to ensure smooth sailing of the Cruise Terminal.
Angie Redhead
Head of City Assets
Angie is the strategic lead for Cruise Liverpool, overseeing the successful delivery of the new cruise terminal, whilst ensuring the existing cruise operation exceeds expectations at every touch point.
John Mawer
Head of Cruise Operations
John heads up the strategic delivery of all operations and leads the Cruise Liverpool management team. As well as the day to day running of the port, John leads on relationships, business development, sustainability and new terminal project.
Ian Kay
Marine Operations Manager
Ian provides marine expertise, advice and guidance in relation to mooring, navigational calculations and technical information to all vessels berthing alongside Liverpool Cruise Terminal. He also manages operational quayside considerations whilst vessels are berthed alongside.
Kate Smith
Port Operations Manager
Kate leads the strategic development of our ‘dry side’ operations and visitor economy partnerships whilst managing the Cruise Liverpool brand. As a member of the Cruise Britain steering group, Kate gains insight into the national industry picture for cruise and access to valuable networking and commercial opportunities.
Les Yates
Security and Facilities Manager
Les is Liverpool Cruise Terminal’s designated Port Facility Security Officer leading on all aspects of security. ISPS regulations as well as planned and reactive maintenance.
Anita Williams
Office Manager
Anita leads on all financial and administrative duties ensuring efficient operation of the Cruise Liverpool office.
Mike Langstaff
Port Operations Supervisor
Mike is responsible for identifying new operational efficiencies and has had an active role in the development and mentoring of the sub contracted workforce whilst supporting the marine department in the safe mooring of cruise vessels.
Ashley Stinchcombe
Front of House & Security Co-ordinator
Ashley co-ordinates the day to day duties of Liverpool Cruise Terminal’s Front of House Team focussing on visitor experience and compliance with ISPS Security regulations.
Melissa Carragher
Marine Operations Assistant
Melissa started at Liverpool Cruise Terminal as a stevedore/rope handler in 2021, having had no real maritime experience. The team were delighted to offer her a “Kickstarter” opportunity in 2022 and further to this, to create further resilience for the maritime department, a permanent job at the end of it!
Plans for the Future
A priority for the Cruise Liverpool team is sustainability, innovation and developing their existing infrastructure. This summer, they will welcome an academic from Liverpool John Moores University who will be tasked with researching and writing their dissertation on what Cruise Liverpool can do to improve their sustainability.
This will include looking at alternative energy sources to power liners when berthed. Whether that be tidal, solar or wind.
Cruise Liverpool are also looking ahead to the 15 year anniversary of the terminal and will seek to highlight the career opportunities within the maritime sector. Look out for a new piece on the growth and evolution of the Cruise Liverpool Team in the coming weeks.
In terms of trade shows the team will be heading to SeatradeMED Malaga in September and the Cruise Britain Members Summer meeting in late June, where they’ll sell Liverpool as a destination to potential new cruise line customers.
Find out more about the Cruise Liverpool Team
Recently the team attended Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami, the leading annual B2B event for the global cruise industry, bringing together suppliers and buyers from 140 countries. Here the team sold not only the offer of the Cruise terminal but Liverpool as a destination too. You can read all about it in our next piece published soon.
In the meantime, follow their social media channels
Facebook: Facebook.com/liverpoolcruiseterminal
Twitter: CruiseLpool
Linkedin: Linkedin/company/cruiseliverpool
Instagram: Cruiselpool