The Port of Tyne has reconfigured part of its International Passenger Terminal in North Shields, near Newcastle upon Tyne, to create a new baggage handling facility for Marella Cruises.
Converting 300m2 of space at the terminal has created extra capacity for 1,000 bags, and an additional 382 parking spaces, alongside a 10m x 30m marquee to provide an undercover baggage handling facility.
Customers will be able to drop-off their bags, which will be swiftly security checked and loaded onto the vessel, before heading straight to a dedicated car park — making the embarking process quicker and even more efficient.
Andy Foster, Commercial Manager, Port Services at Port of Tyne, said:
“The new car park and bag drop area is the beginning of a range of improvements to both passenger and vessel facilities at the Port’s International Passenger Terminal.
“Providing an excellent customer experience is really important to us, and we hope this latest investment will support all cruise Operators and passengers in making cruise check-in more efficient and trouble free.”
Neil Duncan, Head of Trading and Planning at Marella Cruises, said:
“This is great news for Marella customers, as it will ensure a seamless end-to-end Port experience, with much more space to manage our embarkation/debarkation operation.”
The Port of Tyne’s International Passenger Terminal is set to welcome 59 cruise calls in 2019, including 10 turnaround calls from Marella Cruises — where passengers can explore destinations as far-flung as Estonia, the Nordics and Russia.