The Port of Aberdeen achieved a new milestone by welcoming the Costa Favolosa, the largest vessel to visit the port in its 888-year history, according to a press release.
The 290-meter ship arrived at South Harbour from Kirkwall on July 26 for a day-long stopover before heading to Edinburgh. The 4,000 guests and crew were greeted with a traditional Scottish welcome from the Robert Gordon College Pipe Band, Alba Bagpipes, and VisitAberdeenshire’s ‘Welcome to Aberdeenshire’ volunteers.
The Costa Favolosa is part of a record-breaking season of 60 cruise calls, an increase of more than 150 percent from 2022. The port’s cruise call bookings extend through 2027, with over 100 calls anticipated, including visits from major industry players such as Fred. Olsen Cruises and Holland America.
Marlene Mitchell, commercial manager, Port of Aberdeen, said: “It is wonderful to welcome the Costa Favolosa to Port of Aberdeen. Her arrival is a testament to the hard work of many – the port team who delivered the transformational South Harbour, which enables us to welcome ships of this stature, our marine and operational teams, and all our CruiseAberdeenshire partners who have been focused on raising the profile of our amazing region and all it has to offer.”
Chris Foy, CEO, VisitAberdeenshire, added: “VisitAberdeenshire is enhancing the visitor welcome offered to passengers through the bolstered volunteer program and continues to develop more opportunities for local suppliers to benefit from cruise calls.”
Ian McQuade, Chair, Cruise Britain said: “It’s thrilling to see Port of Aberdeen welcome Costa Favolosa, the largest cruise ship ever to call. The Port’s development of South Harbour is playing a key role in bringing more ships and more planned tourism benefits to the city and to Aberdeenshire as a whole. A call into Aberdeen is a growing part of the region’s cruise itineraries and Cruise Britain is delighted to support the port.”
Aberdeen also welcomed Ambassador’s Ambience and AIDA Cruises’ AIDAsol on their maiden visits in July.
