THE liner which launched Liverpool’s new turnaround cruise era this year also closed the season with her final sailing.
In sparkling autumn sunshine, the 800-passenger Ocean Countess cast off from Liverpool cruise terminal for the last time yesterday afternoon.
Representing the council, Cllr Wendy Simon, cabinet member for culture and tourism, waved her off.
There was a 20-minute delay due to various passenger problems.
One man travelling with his family had to return to Langton Dock car park where he had left his passport. Two other passengers disembarked having mislaid their medication.
The liner will not return to Liverpool again because her owners are repositioning the ship in Greece.
Passengers on the 13-night Canary Isles and Madeira cruise will instead disembark in Barcelona and fly back to the UK.
Just over four months earlier, on May 29, amid great civic fanfare, her namesake the Countess of Derby did the honours when the liner made the first deep-sea voyage from the Pier Head since 1972.
