'Exceptionally bad year' for cruise ships in 2024

Last year was an "exceptionally bad year" for visiting cruise ship cancellations, according to Guernsey Ports.

Weather conditions meant 19 ships cancelled their visit to the bailiwick between April and October 2024, equating to about 20% of the schedule.

Operations manager Mark Renouf said the percentage of cancellations was double the number Guernsey Ports had expected.

He added: "It's a fact of cruising, there are ports which will be weather reliant all around the world, we are not unique."

Ten fewer cruise ships are scheduled to arrive in Guernsey this year compared to 2024, with a total of 64 expected.

Mr Renouf said reduced cruise ship numbers were a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"After Covid there was a downturn for us," he said.

"There is a two or three year ship booking process and this is our last year of that downturn.

"Going forward the bookings we have are significantly higher for the coming years."

Mr Renouf said Guernsey Ports understood that cancellations and fewer ships had a "major impact" on the tourist industry.

"The average spend is indicated at £83 per passenger (who comes ashore), so if we look at last year's figures, roughly 37,000 people came in and that equates to £3.1m," he said.

"The future increase in ships and passenger numbers will only increase the income into the island."

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