Sunday, August 4, 2024 Aberdeen Port welcomes Costa Favolosa, its largest ship in 888 years, marking a historic moment with a grand Scottish welcome. Aberdeen’s Port marked a historic moment as it hosted the Costa Favolosa, the grandest ship ever to dock at the port in its 888-year history. On July 26, the 290-meter Costa Favolosa sailed into South Harbour from Kirkwall, pausing for a day before continuing its journey to Edinburgh.
The vessel’s arrival, carrying 4,000 passengers and crew, was celebrated with a distinct Scottish reception featuring performances by the Robert Gordon College Pipe Band and Alba Bagpipes, complemented by the warm hospitality of VisitAberdeenshire’s volunteer group. This visit is part of a standout cruise season for the port, with a 150% increase from the previous year, totaling 60 cruise visits. Looking ahead, the port has secured bookings through 2027, expecting over 100 cruise stops, including notable names like Fred.
Olsen Cruises and Holland America. Marlene Mitchell, the commercial manager at the Port of Aberdeen, expressed her enthusiasm: “It’s a pleasure to see the Costa Favolosa at our port. This event highlights the collective effort and dedication, particularly from our team at South Harbour and our partners at CruiseAberdeenshire, who have worked tirelessly to elevate our region’s appeal and capabilities to host such significant vessels.
” Chris Foy, CEO of VisitAberdeenshire, emphasized the ongoing enhancements to the guest experience, “We’re continually improving the welcoming services for our visitors, expanding the opportunities for local businesses to engage with the cruise market.” Ian McQuade, Chair of Cruise Britain, also commented on the significance of the event, “The arrival of the Costa Favolosa at Aberdeen is monumental. The development of South Harbour has been crucial in accommodating larger ships, which in turn boosts tourism and brings substantial economic benefits to Aberdeen and the broader Aberdeenshire region.
” In addition to the Costa Favolosa, July also saw inaugural visits from Ambassador’s Ambience and AIDA Cruises’ AIDAsol, further establishing Aberdeen as a key destination in cruise itineraries..
