Cruise Departure Information : Liverpool

The Portof Liverpool is the name for the enclosed 7.5 mile dock system that runs from Brunswick Dock in Liverpool to Seaforth Dock. 

Liverpool’s first dock was the pioneering Old Dock built in 1715.  The old Pool was converted into the enclosed dock   The dock was the world’s first enclosed commercial dock.  Further docks were added and eventually all were interconnected by lock gates, extending 7.5 miles along the Liverpool bank of the River Mersey.  This was the most advanced port system in the world. Parts of the system are now a World Heritage Site.

Most of the smaller docks were closed in 1971 with Brunswick Doc k remaining until closure in 1975.  Many docks have been filled in to create land for buildings at the Pier Head, An Arena at Kings Dock, commercial estates at Toxteth and Harrington Docks and housing at Herculaneum Dock.  Other branch docks have been filled in, in the north end with a sewage processing plant being built at Sandon Dock.

The largest dock on the dock network, Seaforth Dock was opened in 1972 dealing with grain and containers, accommodating the largest container ships of the time.

Both White Star Line and Cunard Line were based at the port.  It was also the homeport of many great ships, including RMS Baltic MV Derbyshire, HMHS Britannic, RMS Lusitania and the RMS Titanic.  In 1972 Canadian Pacific were the last transatlantic line to operate from Liverpool

Cruise Liners have operated from the port with a terminal at Langton Dock and then returned to Liverpool’s Pier Head in 2008, berthing at a newly constructed cruise liner terminal.  In 2011 proposals to use the terminal for the start and end of voyages, rather than as a stop-off point led to a dispute with Southampton due to the large public subsidy provided for the new terminal.

Liverpool is one of the few cities in the world where ocean going liners can berth in the city centre, providing a spectacular addition to the waterfront skyline. This terminal is for cruises visiting the city only.

For cruises embarking and disembarking in Liverpool the Langton Cruise Terminal is used. This is situated in Bootle in the northern dock system.

Fred Olsen Cruise Line offer cruises from Liverpool whilst Cunard, Royal Caribbean  and Crystal Cruises offer itineraries that include Liverpool as a port of call.

The nearest railway station to Langton Cruise Terminal is Liverpool Lime Street which is 4 miles away. Fred Olsen offers a coach transfer from the station to the docks.

National Express operate a coach service from around the UK to Liverpool Coach Station