cruising is the only way to holiday

Better tell these extra cruise passengers to allow more time for their journeys in to southampton.

Whilst it is nice to see, it is unfortunate that record passenger numbers do not translate necessarily into cost benefits to Southampton. Most travellers simply pass through on their way to their ship, with perhaps a few staying in local (national chain) hotels. In particular the numbers travelling do not translate into jobs, the crews are often substantially foreign, with the British element "shipped in" from around the country. And purchasing by ships again has little (relatively speaking) impact on local suppliers rather than nationally established suppliers.

It is a shame more cannot be done to benefit the local economy more than at present, any suggestions?

sotonian wrote:
cruising is the only way to holiday

Try telling that to those people who's boat sank the other day.

Familyman wrote:
Whilst it is nice to see, it is unfortunate that record passenger numbers do not translate necessarily into cost benefits to Southampton. Most travellers simply pass through on their way to their ship, with perhaps a few staying in local (national chain) hotels. In particular the numbers travelling do not translate into jobs, the crews are often substantially foreign, with the British element "shipped in" from around the country. And purchasing by ships again has little (relatively speaking) impact on local suppliers rather than nationally established suppliers.

It is a shame more cannot be done to benefit the local economy more than at present, any suggestions?

That can be the case for some underdeveloped ports, where the passengers are whisked away. When the port is a bit more modern and safe, passengers will often walk off, do some shopping and have lunch in the port.
In Southampton we get it pretty good, since the vast majority of the supplies are loaded there, and I believe that quite a bit of the fresh stuff is sourced from suppliers based in Southampton.

In terms of jobs, a lot of the British staff come from the South coast region, though obviously senior positions are advertised nationally or internationally. The port also employs a lot of people to service the ships and the cruise terminal, and of course the cruise companies who are actually based in Southampton employ hundreds of people who live in the local area and spend their money here.

So in summary, its not always great for ports which have ships calling in for a few hours, but better that nothing. And Southampton is really benefitting from them being based here.

Hmm I sounded like a PR person then so I should point out that no, I don't work in that industry at all (port, ship, cruise company, travel agents , food/drink suppliers etc ).

Shame they are closing the only shop in the Western Docks as well.

Oh well, forward planning hey????

? wrote:
Better tell these extra cruise passengers to allow more time for their journeys in to southampton.

perhaps the cruise lines /travel agents should offer packages which would include an overnight stay at an hotel, and perhaps a trip to somewhere like Stonehenge .Something that people from up north might be interested in. The ships do tours at each port they visit so why not trips before they leave for their cruise

A canny and alert council would find a means of demonstrating to these people in transit through Southampton that the town itself would be worth getting to know better.

It goes without saying that the limited experience of Southampton that they get should NOT leave them with a bad impression.

(Don't mention the Royal Pier, road congestion etc...)

sotonian wrote:

? wrote: Better tell these extra cruise passengers to allow more time for their journeys in to southampton.

perhaps the cruise lines /travel agents should offer packages which would include an overnight stay at an hotel, and perhaps a trip to somewhere like Stonehenge .Something that people from up north might be interested in. The ships do tours at each port they visit so why not trips before they leave for their cruise

Many ports across the world are dumps and only used as a route to the more exotic places. Passengers are often warned not to risk a night out in the vicinity (bit like Liverpool I guess)


Whilst the idea of promoting a stopover in Soton to enjoy the charms of our city, you will find that cruise companies are mainly focussed on flogging over-priced shore excursions in every port of call.

Savvy cruisers can often team up with fellow passengers and organise cheap independent trips etc.


The cruise companies would hate to see any lost revenue outside of the ship

I think the phrase "pass through" says it all re southampton

now get rid of the awful container port- literally, a waste of space.

'now get rid of the awful container port' what an excellent idea, although unfortunately you may also have to get rid of your new flat screen TV, your new clothes you just bought from the high street oh and that new i-pod you just bought!

Cheerful Charlie wrote:

Familyman wrote: Whilst it is nice to see, it is unfortunate that record passenger numbers do not translate necessarily into cost benefits to Southampton. Most travellers simply pass through on their way to their ship, with perhaps a few staying in local (national chain) hotels. In particular the numbers travelling do not translate into jobs, the crews are often substantially foreign, with the British element \"shipped in\" from around the country. And purchasing by ships again has little (relatively speaking) impact on local suppliers rather than nationally established suppliers. It is a shame more cannot be done to benefit the local economy more than at present, any suggestions?

That can be the case for some underdeveloped ports, where the passengers are whisked away. When the port is a bit more modern and safe, passengers will often walk off, do some shopping and have lunch in the port. In Southampton we get it pretty good, since the vast majority of the supplies are loaded there, and I believe that quite a bit of the fresh stuff is sourced from suppliers based in Southampton. In terms of jobs, a lot of the British staff come from the South coast region, though obviously senior positions are advertised nationally or internationally. The port also employs a lot of people to service the ships and the cruise terminal, and of course the cruise companies who are actually based in Southampton employ hundreds of people who live in the local area and spend their money here. So in summary, its not always great for ports which have ships calling in for a few hours, but better that nothing. And Southampton is really benefitting from them being based here.

What a load of absolute tosh from cheerful charlie.Most cruise ships arrive early in the morning. Waiting to meet them are scores of coaches(mostly from london or lancashire) to whisk the passengers off to all parts of the country or to gatwick/heathrow airport.Add to this all the artic' lorries from Denmark; Germany; Holland or Harding bros(a multi-national co.)waiting to replenish the ships stores with goods from anywhere except Southampton.As for the people 'employed ' by the port: mainly agency workers from eastern europe/asia etc. The same goes for the crew.Then early pm people start arriving at station,straight on free shuttle bus and on to the ship.Hardly any of the ships calling at southampton use it as a 'port of call' as part of its itinery. The vast majority start and finish their cruises here, those that don't will have trips laid on to London/Stonehenge and the like. Again very little benefit to the city itself.And to cap it all, next year the shipping co.'s are offering 'free parking'. So, if you think that the traffic congestion is bad now, just wait until next year: 3 cruise ships;saints at home;IOW ferry disembarking;acciden

t on Mountbatten way and of course, the long awaited Ikea, aswell as thousands of people arriving by car,for the first time, having never had the pleasure of finding their way around Southampton before. Not such a rosy picture as 'cocaine charlie's', but a lot more accurate,I bet.

just a shame it doesnt mean big money for southampton....just loads more coaches in and out of the city....

shame they couldnt link up with soton airport to get the passengers down and into southampton for a few nights b4/after their cruise