Regal Princess makes mark on Cromarty Firth skyline on visit to Invergordon
THE mammoth scale of cruise ships making their way across the Cromarty Firth is revealed in these photographs of a recent visitor.
Invergordon’s packed season began on April 3 with a visit from the German-made AIDAdiva, operated by AIDA Cruises.
The season continues until October 10 when the same company’s AIDAsol is due to come calling.
In total, around 116 ships will have made a visit to Invergordon by the time this season comes to an end next month, with over 225,000 visitors expected to visit from the cruises, credited with injecting tens of millions of pounds into the Highland economy.
Last Friday saw the visit of Princess Cruises’ Regal Princess - a monster of the deep capable of carrying 3800 passengers.
She arrived in the town as part of a 12-day tour that took in the British Isles, Ireland and France.
As is the case with the vast majority of visitors, many disembarking at the Easter Ross deep water port were booked on tours of Highland visitor attractions with an array of buses, taxis and tour operators on standby for whistle-stop trips.
Our photographer was on hand to witness her arrival and his shots show the sheer scale of vessels variously described as “floating hotels” and “splendour of the seas”, depending on point of view.
With a gross tonnage of 141,000 tons, a length of 330 metres and a width of 36 metres, the Regal Princess has space to accommodate 3800 passengers.
Her length would exceed that of the Eiffel Tower (300 metres) laid flat and she is longer than the world-famous QE2 (294 metres). Her 66 metre-height is greater than the Leaning Tower of Pisa (55 metres) - and if she were to sail under San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge there would be just one metre’s clearance.
A grand atrium spans three decks which are connected by glass elevators and two grand marble stairs. At the ceiling, two glass domes spread the light in the form of cascades.
She was built in Italy with an inaugural cruise in 2014 and was then refurbished in 2022. The vessel boasts 1780 cabins.
Due next in Invergordon this week is Regent Cruises’ Seven Seas Splendor on Thursday. She’s a relative minnow by comparison. The 10-decker has space for up to 800 guests with 373 suites and is around 224 metres in length.
