Golden Horizon cruise ship visits Plymouth

28th July 2021

Last week, Plymouth hosted the stunning Golden Horizon cruise ship on its inaugural sailing – and the ship is set to return in just two weeks’ time.

The largest square-rigged sailing cruise ship in the world, Golden Horizon is operated by a new UK-based cruise line 'Tradewind Voyages'.

The ship, which is currently undertaking a series of short cruises from Dover, arrived in Plymouth Sound on Thursday 22 July.

Passengers on board came ashore as part of the shore excursion programme to enjoy an 'Historic' Plymouth' walking tour around the Barbican and Plymouth Hoe, led by Blue Badge Guide Adrian Chapman. They were the first cruise-ship guests to use the new Barbican Landing Stage, refurbished in 2020 by the Cattewater Harbour Commissioners.

To welcome the passengers ashore were Plymouth Cruise Volunteers Douglas, Annemarie and Sandra, the Town Crier John Pitt, Harbour Master Richard Allen and recently appointed Cruise Development Manager for Destination Plymouth, Glen Gardner.

Executive Director of Destination Plymouth, Amanda Lumley, said: "We are delighted to have given a really warm welcome to our first cruise passengers of the year here in Plymouth, Britain’s Ocean City. Everyone really went the extra mile in providing the best experience possible for the passengers and we look forward to welcoming Golden Horizon back again in August. 

“It's been such a long time since we’ve been able to showcase our amazing city to cruise guests, but this is just the beginning of a busy spell for the city and port with ten cruise calls booked over the following few months. 

“We were thrilled to learn that the passengers commented that they were pleasantly surprised with how lovely Plymouth was, with many saying they would make a return visit, and that it was their best port call of the cruise - words reiterated by the Destination Manager on board.

“All of the passengers who came ashore were treated to a gift bag before they returned to the ship as part of our 'Fond Farewell'.  We have to say thank you to local businesses for making this happen including Plymouth Gin, Roly’s Fudge, The Boathouse and the Tourist Information Centre."

Captain Mariusz Szalek was also presented with a gift from Plymouth, as a token to mark the occasion of the ship’s first ever call to the city. Usually presented personally by the Harbour Master or a city official, on this occasion the gift was sent via the ships tender due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Golden Horizon is scheduled to return to Plymouth on Wednesday 11 August 2021.

About Golden Horizon

Golden Horizon boasts five towering masts, was built in Croatia, and weighs in at 8,784 gross tonnes. She was originally named Flying Clipper but was renamed by Tradewind Voyages - the UK firm which is running its cruises.

Built in 2019, the ship is a near replica of the 1913-built ocean vessel, France II, and provides similar elegance, adventure and romance of an historic ship.

The beautiful vessel cost 100 million Euros to construct and has a top speed of 20 knots, a length over all of 162m and a beam of 19m.

With a passenger capacity of between 272 and 330 (in normal times), looked after by a crew of compliment of around 159, passengers have four decks to enjoy and there are 140 cabins. 

It is registered to the port of Split (Croatia), and the hull is strengthened to ice class standards for voyages to the Arctic and Antarctica regions.

About Plymouth Cruise partnership

Plymouth Cruise partnership is led by Destination Plymouth working in partnership with Associated British Ports, Cattewater Harbour Commissioners, Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, Plymouth City Centre Company and Plymouth Cruise Volunteers. Their main objective is to grow cruise sector business to the city for the benefit of the local economy.