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Cruise lines which offer cruising vacations around the UK and Ireland are now including a Holyhead cruise as part of their packages. As a major British passenger ferry port on the west coast, Holyhead, Anglesey offers high standard facilities for large cruise liners who aim to provide their passengers with a rich and diverse itinerary.

Holyhead Breakwater is a famous attraction and the longest sea wall in the UK, and cruise liners anchor in a sheltered spot north east of the breakwater and Anglesey Aluminium jetty in the outer harbour. The local boatyard can provide a suitable tug if the cruise ship requires assistance.

With cruise ships over 250 metres in length this sheltered anchorage benefits from the natural protection of the town and coastline which reduce the effect of the prevailing south westerly winds. A facility is available for cruise passengers to land on the east side of the inner harbour near the Fish Dock. From special coaches are on hand to take visitors to the varied island and nearby mainland attractions.

You may have seen some of the breathtaking Cambrian coastal scenery if your cruise ship sailed from Milford Haven or Swansea in South West Wales. And as you approached Anglesey you will have seen the islands sandy beaches sweeping from Llanddwyn in the south, where Demi Moore filmed some Half Light movie shots, to Trearddur Bay in the west. North of here is the iconic South Stack Lighthouse, which you can visit during your stop over at Holyhead.

Holyhead ferries sail to Dun Laoghaire and the Irish capital Dublin. Recently, Holyhead has hosted a growing number of larger cruise ships from Northern European. You can now see cruise lines such as Hapag Lloyd, Oceana Cruises, Noble Caledonia and Holland America making a call at the port, keen to allow their passengers experience the the varied historical and cultural attractions on Anglesey. Indeed, the 48,000 tonne Seven Seas Voyager, carrying 750 passengers, has already visited Holyhead.

Mindful of the growing interest in visiting the island, there are plans to use the Anglesey Aluminium jetty as a new berthing location, making disembarkation easier. This strategic decision will attract larger cruise ships which might otherwise use larger port facilities at Dublin and Liverpool. The aim is to regularly accommodate vessels of around 85,000 tonnes, and estimates are that an investment of about 7 million to port facilities is required, with 0.5 million earmarked for the jetty berthing facility.

With as many as 70 cruise ships operating in Northern European waters, a Holyhead cruise destination will be an attractive option for cruise ship passengers following this extra investment in port infrastructure. The “Celtic Wave” marketing initiative led by Anglesey, joins together the main Irish Sea ports of Holyhead, Dublin, Waterford, Cork and Swansea and Milford Haven. It is underpinned by a 1.2 million investment and its objective is to attract bigger cruise ships and more visitors to these ports.

There are so many attractions rich in history to visit it may be hard to choose. You may want to visit the nearby historic castles of Wales, at Beaumaris on Anglesey and Caernarfon and Conwy on the mainland, all UN World Heritage sites. Or perhaps seeing the last working mill in Wales at Llynnon appeals to you, or appreciating the Rex Whistler canvas at Plas Newydd, near Llanfairpwll. Or you may be keen to stretch your legs on the Anglesey coastal path. These and more will draw more visitors to choose a Holyhead cruise destination in future.

Tags: Cruises

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