A massive cruise ship will return to a north-east port this summer as efforts continue to complete the £50million redevelopment of the port.
The Sea Cloud II docked at Peterhead last year, having previously visited the town a decade ago and has since made regular trips to the Blue Toon.
The impressive ship, which has 23 sails stretching to a combined 32,000sq ft and is the sister to the historic Sea Cloud which served on US armed forces’ operations during World War II, is scheduled to arrive in July.
It is valued at £31million and can carry up to 100 passengers.
It is the only cruiser to have signaled an intention to visit the north-east this summer so far, but Peterhead Harbour has already announced that several five-star boats will be making use of its facilities next year.
John Forman, the port’s harbour master, said six vessels have been booked in at the port.
“We are pleased to confirm that Sea Cloud II will be docking in Peterhead on Wednesday, July 25,” he added.
“It is normally the case that cruise ship bookings are made at least a year in advance, but while berthing itself has not been affected, we did advise ship operators of our ongoing developments at the port.
“It may be we will have further visits this year should ships’ itineraries change.”
Peterhead Harbour is currently in the process of deepening the port to allow for bigger ships to use the facilities of the town, and is constructing a new, larger fish market.
The project, which started last year, is valued at about £50million.
Mr Forman has said work to complete the scheme is progressing on schedule.
He added: “Next year, however, we have six cruise ship visits – four by the Sea Cloud II and one each from the Astoria and the Seaborne Ovation.”
