MSC Splendida launches 2016 Dublin cruise season

The spectacular 333m MSC Splendida , the longest ship ever to visit Dublin Port carrying over 4,600 passengers and crew on board reversing past Poolbeg Lighthouse into Dublin bay. MSC Splendida returned to Dublin early this morning offically marking the start of Dublin Port's 2016 cruise season, she is one of 113 cruise calls confirmed for Dublin Port this year a record number of cruise calls in a year for Dublin Port that will bring over 180,000 visitors. Photo: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland.

The spectacular 333m MSC Splendida , the longest ship ever to visit Dublin Port carrying over 4,600 passengers and crew on board reversing past Poolbeg Lighthouse into Dublin bay. MSC Splendida returned to Dublin early yesterday morning offically marking the start of Dublin Port’s 2016 cruise season. She is one of 113 cruise calls confirmed for Dublin Port this year, a record number of cruise calls in a year for Dublin Port, that will bring over 180,000 visitors.

The MSC Splendida sailed into Dublin Port yesterday to mark the beginning of the 2016 cruise season. At 333m, it is the 11th longest ship currently in the world and the longest ever to visit Dublin Port. The vastness of the ship features over a dozen bars and lounges, four swimming pools, squash courts, turkish baths, a spa, a Formula 1 simulator and a 24-hour butler service.

The ship is the first of 133 confirmed cruise calls for Dublin Port this year. This is the largest number of cruise calls in Dublin Port to date, with over 180,000 visitors being brought in on these ships.

NO REPRO FEE 3/5/2016.Drummer Roana McBride with Irish Dancers Niamh McMahon and Sarah Quinn welcome   The spectacular 333m MSC Splendida , the longest ship ever to visit Dublin Port carrying over 4,600 passengers and crew on board into Dublin Port. MSC Splendida returned to Dublin early this morning offically marking the start of Dublin Port's 2016 cruise season, she is one of 113 cruise calls confirmed for Dublin Port this year a record number of cruise calls in a year for Dublin Port that will bring over 180,000 visitors. Photo: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland.

Drummer Roana McBride with Irish Dancers Niamh McMahon and Sarah Quinn welcome the MSC Splendida.

Yesterday’s arrival of the MSC Splendida from Greenrock, Scotland brought 4,600 passengers and crew. It departed Dublin at 7.45pm for Cork.

Due to their immense size, the MSC Splendida and other ships like it cannot turn within Dublin Port and therefore need to travel stern first up the Liffey, which is a very complicated process. However, this complication will become a thing of the past upon completion of the €230 million Alexandra Basin Redevelopment Project, which will expand the capacity of the Port. This will allow very large ships to sail as far upriver as East Link Bridge.

NO REPRO FEE 3/5/2016. Patrick Losty takes a pictures of The spectacular 333m MSC Splendida , the longest ship ever to visit Dublin Port carrying over 4,600 passengers and crew on board reversing into Dublin Port. MSC Splendida returned to Dublin early this morning offically marking the start of Dublin Port's 2016 cruise season, she is one of 113 cruise calls confirmed for Dublin Port this year a record number of cruise calls in a year for Dublin Port that will bring over 180,000 visitors. Photo: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland.

Patrick Losty takes pictures of the MSC Splendida.

The Dublin Port Company’s Head of Corporate Services Pat Ward made the following statement about the launch and continuing events of the 2016 cruise season:

“We are delighted to welcome the MSC Splendida, the longest ship ever to visit Dublin Port, back to the city to mark the start of our 2016 cruise season. We are shaping up for a record year in cruise tourism, with some 113 cruise calls carrying over 180,000 visitors to the city scheduled for 2016. Highlights this season include the arrival of “Disney Magic” on her maiden call to Ireland in May, as Dublin Port becomes the first Irish port to welcome Disney Cruise Line. Dublin Port will also host the Cruise Europe Conference this year, the first time the conference is to be held in Dublin.”

NO REPRO FEE 3/5/2016.The spectacular 333m MSC Splendida , the longest ship ever to visit Dublin Port carrying over 4,600 passengers and crew on board reversing in to Dublin bay. MSC Splendida returned to Dublin early this morning offically marking the start of Dublin Port's 2016 cruise season, she is one of 113 cruise calls confirmed for Dublin Port this year a record number of cruise calls in a year for Dublin Port that will bring over 180,000 visitors. Photo: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland.

The MSC Splendida reversing into Dublin bay.

By Kevin Carney

All photos by Leon Farrell of Photocall Ireland.