Cunard Line will bring luxury vessel Queen Victoria on May 22 followed by Queen Elizabeth on July 23 and Disney Magic will return to the Mersey for her fourth visit in three years. Tony McDonough reports

More than 100,000 passengers and crew will visit Liverpool on 57 cruise ships in 2018 – slightly down on the 63 that came in 2017.

Liverpool Cruise Liner terminal, off Princes Dock, will welcome five inaugural visits to the city from Aida Aura, Berlin, Ocean Dream, Seabourn Ovation and Viking Sun. And Cunard Line will bring luxury vessel Queen Victoria on May 22 followed by Queen Elizabeth on July 23.

Princess Cruises’ flagship Royal Princess ship will grace the River Mersey once more, with an impressive four calls this season. The Royal Princess weighs in at 141,000 GT – the equivalent to 114 Mersey ferries.

Disney Magic returns to the Mersey for her fourth visit in three years. She’ll be setting sail from Liverpool’s world famous waterfront, early evening on Friday, September 7. Plans are underway to stage a special sail away show to mark the occasion.

Night owls are welcome stay up all night as Celebrity Eclipse sails into the city on June 12 and Europa II on September 8 – both will stay on the Mersey overnight for a special sleepover.

Liverpool’s cruise industry is expected to bring in more than £7m to the local economy in 2018. Assistant Mayor and cabinet member for culture, tourism and events. The reason there a slightly few vessels planned for this year is a shift in cruise industry deployment during the winter months with capacity being moved to the Asian market to meet growing demand.

Cllr Wendy Simon, said:  “For more than a decade, Liverpool has been a leading destination within the travel, hospitality and cruise sector.

“We’re thrilled to have so many ships making their inaugural visit to the city and delighted to welcome back old friends. Our cruise offering is exceptional and we look forward to welcoming more than 100, 000 people to experience the city and all it has to offer.”

For more information about the 2018 cruise schedule, visit www.cruise-liverpool.com . The full schedule can be downloaded. Arrival and departure times are published on the Cruise Liverpool Facebook page a few days prior to the cruise ship calling  www.facebook.com/liverpoolcruiseterminal