The recent visit of the cruise ship Amera to Torbay provided a welcome sight of a major vessel in the Bay and a significant boost to the local economy. The boat, operated by Phoenix Reisen, arrived in Torquay on August 13, bringing with it 563 passengers and 416 crew members.
The Amera, the latest addition to the Phoenix Reisen fleet, was christened on August 16, 2019, in Bremerhaven. Originally built in 1988 as the Royal Viking Sun, the ship has served under various cruise lines, including Holland America Line, where it was known as the Prinsendam.
After extensive renovations and modernization in Hamburg, Germany, in 2019, the Amera now offers the ability to travel to extraordinary ports due to its small size. Notably, this ship has visited the English Riviera before as Prinsendam in 2002, 2009, and 2012.
The 39,000-tonne, nine-decker ship can travel at a speed of 18 knots and can accommodate 835 passengers with a crew of 430.
Phoenix Reisen, founded in 1973, is a renowned German tour operator offering high sea and river cruises, usually on smaller ships.
During its successful port call at the English Riviera, Amera’s passengers were warmly welcomed with the help of a local German speaker arranged by the English Riviera BID Company. This assistance was particularly beneficial as many of the German day visitors did not speak English.
Out of the 563 passengers, 293 participated in organized shore excursions, including a 'Dartmoor Panoramic', 'Buckfast Abbey & Totnes', and 'Highlights of the English Riviera' with stops in Babbacombe and Brixham. In Brixham alone, over 200 German guests enjoyed the harbour area, greeted by a shanty band and local Brixham Cruise Welcome Hosts, including a German speaker.
The Amera's visit significantly boosted the local economy, with passengers spending time and money in various parts of Torbay. The success of this visit highlights the positive impact cruise ships can have on the local community.
The next scheduled cruise ship visit to the English Riviera is the Marina, a sister ship to Vista, which visited in September 2023. Marina is expected to arrive on Monday, September 9.
The Marina, part of Oceania Cruises, is much larger than the Amera. Built in 2011 and recently renovated in 2024, the ship can accommodate up to 1,258 passengers and features six first-class restaurants, numerous lounges, and a spa area.
The Marina is scheduled to arrive in Torbay at 9 AM and depart at 7 PM, offering another opportunity for the local economy to benefit from cruise tourism.
Glen Gardner, Cruise Business Development Adviser for Cruise English Riviera added: "Overall, this was a very successful cruise visit. I will be meeting with the Phoenix Reisen Cruises executive at Seatrade Cruise Trade Show in Malaga next month to discuss future visits."
