Thanet council says it hopes to be able to accommodate more cruise ships at Ramsgate Port in the future following the berthing of the Silver Cloud vessel yesterday (June 2).
No further arrivals are currently booked but it is hoped the Silver Cloud will highlight the town and amenities.
The Silver Cloud is a small cruise ship operated by Silversea Cruises, a privately owned luxury cruise line. She entered service in 1994 as Silversea’s first ship. Her sister ship is the Silver Wind, launched in 1995.
Th 514ft ship has nine decks and can carry 296 passengers and 222 crew.
She docked at Ramsgate in a scheduled stop with passengers being brought ashore in small crafts.
Once on dry land they were greeted by a Thanet council team and Ramsgate events organiser and historian Ralph Hoult. Buses were available to take the visitors to see local sites of historical interest.
A commemorative plaque exchange also took place.
Thanet council chairman Cllr Jason Savage, who attended the plaque exchange with wife Anne, said: “We were delighted to welcome the Silver Cloud on her inaugural visit to the Port of Ramsgate.
“We exchanged commemorative plaques to mark the occasion. We sincerely hope that this visit is the first of many. Ramsgate is a fantastic town and we were pleased that passengers had the opportunity to explore and delight in its architecture and maritime history.”
The ship departed for Tower Bridge just after 8pm.
