Cruise customers urged to 'stay a while'

CRUISE passengers starting or finishing their voyages at Harwich are being encouraged to “Stay a While” with the publication of a new brochure produced by Haven Cruise, part of the Haven Gateway Partnership.

Harwich International Port is now well established as one the UK's top ports for handling cruise turnrounds, with more than 40calls already confirmed this year, but passengers starting and finishing their cruise at the port may be unaware of the many attractions of the wider Haven Gateway region, including historic towns and country houses, beautiful gardens, stunning scenery and the heritage coast.

“We want to build on the port's success, so that the wider region and economy also benefits from the opportunities of the rapidly expanding cruise sector,” said Rachel Fryer, the Haven Gateway Partnership's cruise coordinator.

“This brochure aims to show cruise passengers the enormous amount that this region has to offer to the visitor.”

The 16-page “Stay a While” brochure, launched at The Pier, Harwich, this week, contains information on a selection of hotels, bed-and-breakfast establishments and key attractions in the region. Each of them is offering something exclusive to cruise passengers, from a complimentary bottle of champagne or afternoon tea to money-off vouchers and other special offers at the visitor attractions.

The brochure gives information on how to get to the Haven Gateway area, with details of the main routes from Stansted Airport, London and the north, as well as how to travel to the area by public transport from Heathrow and Gatwick airports.

“Stay a While” is being distributed by both Voyages of Discovery and Page & Moy to all of their passengers who have booked a cruise. Copies of the brochure will also be on display at the new dedicated tourist information point in Harwich International Port Cruise Terminal.

An electronic version of the brochure will also be available for downloading from the Haven Cruise website - www.havencruise.com .