LIVERPOOL will play host to around 1,300 American visitors when the first transatlantic passenger liner to call at the city for more than 40 years arrives next week.
The MS Rotterdam, carrying 1,300 passengers, will arrive at the Pier Head cruise liner terminal on Tuesday, having sailed from New York and also calling at Belfast.
The 60,000-tonne Rotterdam is the standard bearer of Holland America Line's (HAL) fleet, and it is hoped the inaugural visit will lead to regular calls by transatlantic liners.
She will be the first liner connecting Liverpool with New York since the Sylvania made a crossing from the Mersey, in November, 1967. This was a one-off sailing after Cunard had stopped their regular transatlantic service the year before.
The last North Atlantic passenger voyage was made by the Empress of Canada III from Liverpool, on November 7, 1971.
Cllr Gary Millar, Liverpool’s executive member for enterprise and tourism, said the latest visit was “another significant landmark” for the cruise liner terminal, which first opened in 2007.
