Cruise liner wows Cobh

A new luxury cruise liner has managed to berth in Cork, after an earlier attempt to last week had to be aborted due to bad weather.

The MSC Lirica, a luxury cruise ship from MSC Cruises’ fleet, finally made her first visit to Cobh in the Port of Cork on Sunday morning. The 250 metre, €200 million liner was due to make her maiden call to Cobh last Wednesday but had to divert onwards to Amsterdam due to weather conditions.

The ship is carrying nearly 2,000 passengers on an 11 night cruise also taking in Germany, the Netherlands, Scotland and the Orkneys in Northern Scotland. This call marks the growing trend of 'part turnaround' calls in Cork, allowing passengers the opportunity to board the cruise in Cobh.

“It is fantastic to see the MSC Lirica in Cobh today and I’m delighted that the sun has finally come out to show the passengers and crew a proper Cork welcome,” said Captain Michael McCarthy, Commercial Manager of the Port of Cork.

“MSC Lirica is one of 10 maiden calls for the Port of Cork this year and we look forward to her return visit to Cobh on 5 September. In 2013, we will welcome another maiden call from MSC Cruises with the even larger MSC Magnifica due to call in May.”

MSC Lirica holds a cosmopolitan array of dining, entertainment and leisure options, along with four restaurants offering a wide variety of the world’s cuisine. The ship is home to five bars and lounges, including the popular American-style Beverly Hills bar and the English-style Lord Nelson pub. Guests can relax in the ship’s two swimming pools and whirlpool baths, as well as take advantage of the beauty and spa treatments at the MSC Aurea Spa.

The MSc Lirica weighs over 59,000 tonnes and measure 250 metres long and 50 metres high.

In 2012 and 2013, MSC Cruises will call to Cork on five separate occasions, giving international guests the opportunity to discover the Cork region. 2012 has been the busiest cruise season for the Port of Cork so far this year with 60 liners calling to the port, bringing over 100,000 passengers and crew to the region.

The Port of Cork is home to Ireland’s only dedicated cruise berth in Cobh and all liners calling to the port are listed at www.portofcork.ie.