Cruise Passenger

Meet and Greets

Portsmouth International Port as a major UK port, has experienced remarkable growth in recent years, welcoming a growing influx of cruise passengers to the vibrant city. Shaping Portsmouth’s Cruise Passenger Programme, in collaboration with Portsmouth Ambassadors, has been instrumental by extending a warm welcome to the cruise passengers, ensuring they experience the very best that Portsmouth has to offer. 

In 2023 alone, the port witnessed a surge in cruise traffic, hosting 78 ships, including 43 turnaround calls and 35 transit calls. This surge further cemented Portsmouth’s position as a premier cruise destination, attracting travellers from across the globe.  

The dedicated Meet and Greet ambassadors have been tirelessly engaged throughout the year, welcoming over 26,510 passengers on the 35 transit calls. Our ambassadors not only offer a warm welcome and offer information and assistance to the passengers, aiming to ensure seamless transitions and enriching experiences for them within the city. Of these passengers, were also a percentage of them who opted for pre-booked excursions, further demonstrating the port’s ability to accommodate diverse preferences. 

Amidst these remarkable achievements, Portsmouth International Port emerged as a champion of the cruise industry, securing two coveted accolades at the esteemed Wave Awards, often referred to as the “Oscars” of the cruise industry. The awards were “Best Port” and “Best Environmental Innovation” further solidifying its position as a leading force in the cruise industry.

We currently have a dedicated team of 23 trained and active Portsmouth Ambassador volunteers, actively engaged in hosting passengers and providing support. With an addition of over 10 new volunteers awaiting training.  

Our commitment to providing excellent service to the volunteers extends to understanding the demographic of each ship which helps us better prepare – for instance, when a German ship is expected at the port, German-speaking volunteers are seamlessly integrated into the team.    

We are always keen to welcome new ambassadors, to join our dedicated team of cruise ambassadors. Please contact Marian Glover, our Business and Marketing Coordinator, at marian.glover@shapingportsmouth.co.uk.