Liverpool is preparing a welcome fit for a Prince and Princess, as one of the USA’s most popular cruise lines heads to the city on her first ever trip to the British Isles.
(Matt Stroshane, photographer)
Disney Magic is making two visits to Liverpool in the forthcoming weeks. Her inaugural visit on Friday 27 May will see the distinctive vessel sail in to the Liverpool Cruise Terminal in the early hours of the morning (approximately 3am) and will leave at around 6.15pm with the ship blowing her special whistle on departure.
The main celebrations will take place on her second visit to Liverpool on Sunday 12 June when the Pier Head will come alive with music and colour in a free event for all the family.
The ship is set to arrive at 8am, and the event begins at midday and runs to 6pm. There will be an outdoor cinema which throughout the day will show Frozen (sing-a-long), Finding Nemo, Toy Story and Mary Poppins in full.
A bandstand in front of the Cunard Building will play host to live music throughout the day with the Royal Marines Bands playing a Disney medley and there will be performances from opera singer Danielle Thomas and Liverpool’s Ukulele Orchestra. A group of young people will also be battling it out to be named Liverpool’s Young Town Crier.
A Magic Garden will appear on the Pier Head, which will be the perfect space for budding explorers – young and old. Potting sheds, toadstools, giant flowers and fairy houses are just some of the things visitors can expect to discover.
Everyone who comes along to the event is encouraged to embrace fancy dress – age is no barrier. There will be prizes for the best dressed youngsters and families.
Following an afternoon of fun, a fireworks display at around 10.15pm will signal the moment the vessel sails away, happily ever after.
Assistant Mayor and cabinet member for culture, tourism and events, Councillor Wendy Simon, said: “It’s a massive coup to welcome this vessel to the city, particularly as it’s her first trip to the British Isles and Liverpool is just one of two destinations in England she will sail in to.
“We couldn’t let the opportunity pass to mark the occasion in some way, and to have a family friendly event on the Pier Head seems like the perfect thing to do. It also gives us the chance to show the 2,700 passengers just why Liverpool has the reputation for staging fantastic free, outdoor events.
“We look forward to welcoming the passengers and crew of what is to be one of the highlights of the 2016 cruise season.”
Facts about Disney Magic:
- The ship boasts 11 expansive decks
- She is 984 feet in length and 106 feet wide
- She weighs 84,000 gross tonnes
- She can comfortably hold 2,700 passengers and 950 crew members
- She has eight different eating areas/restaurants
- There are four water areas, including the AquaDunk, the exciting drop-out waterslide, board and two nightclubs
The liner will embark on a 12 night cruise from Dover and will sail to Newcastle, Invergordon, Kirkwall and Greenock in Scotland; Newcastle, Liverpool and Dublin. She will also call to Le Havre in France, as well as Guernsey in the Channel Islands.
All of these, except Kirkwall and Dublin, are first-time ports of call for Disney Cruise Line.
