Stornoway’s cruise season begins with a visit from MV Astoria

The 16,144 ton cruise ship ‘Astoria’ officially began Stornoway’s cruise season when it arrived from Tobermory early this morning with 486 mainly British passengers on board.

To mark the beginning of the 2016 cruise season, Stornoway Port Authority’s Harbour Master Tony Morrison presented Captain Filipe Sousa of the Astoria with a handmade Harris Tweed plaque and a hamper with various local delicacies.

The size of the Astoria determined the use of the Sandwick anchorage and passengers who disembarked by tender then toured the town and island. The vessel will depart Stornoway at 1700 today bound for Kirkwall.

The Astoria, operated by Cruise and Maritime Voyages, is the world’s oldest active ocean going cruise ship, launched on the 9 September 1946 as the ‘Stockholm’. During her seven decades of service she has passed through several owners and sailed under various names. She was previously named ‘Azores’ and began service as the Astoria in March 2016.

Commenting, Chief Executive Alex MacLeod said: “We were delighted to welcome the Astoria as the first visitor of the 2016 cruise season. Having cancelled her 24^th March visit due to the weather, we were a little nervous this week awaiting her arrival.”

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