Wind gusting to 55mph means first cruise ship cancels visit

The Bahamas-registered ship, which can carry up to 1,400 passengers, sailed from Cobh in the Republic of Ireland to Cherbourg in France yesterday and was due to be anchored off St Peter Port by 7am today, before departing for Le Havre at 7pm.

However, with gusts of up to 55mph predicted, the ship’s master took the decision that tendering services would not be able to bring passengers ashore safely today.

It means the cruise ship season will get off to a slightly later start, with the next vessel – the Hamburg – due to arrive on Saturday, when the wind is expected to be a much gentler force three.

The Hamburg can carry 420 passengers and will arrive from Belle Ile at 1pm. The smaller NG Resolution and L’Austral ships will follow before the scheduled arrival of the first of the really large ships – the 6,334 capacity Virtuosa – on Tuesday 25 April.

Bailiwick of Guernsey Guild of Accredited Guides chairman Eric Grimsley said today’s cancellation was disappointing but not unexpected.

‘We can understand that these things are going to happen,’ he said.

‘It’s to be expected that we’ll lose a few of the scheduled cruise ships during a season but we’re buoyant that they’re still choosing to come here and there are many more arrivals on the list.’

The latest information, published by Guernsey Ports on 17 February, shows 75 other cruise ship visits are scheduled for Guernsey in 2023, with a further 10 for Alderney, five for Sark and four for Herm.

This is fewer visits than last year, but the ships are expected to be more full this year, with Covid-related restrictions on capacity having been lifted.

Despite its cancellation today, the Ambience is still very likely to bring cruise ship passengers to Guernsey in 2023, as she is scheduled to be here four times during the season – on 11 June, 27 July, 24 August and 10 September.