Liverpool City Region

[Silvercity]

Until the new units are put into full they do a good job with 40 year old stock.

Merseyrail most punctual' rail network in UK for second year running

• 21 January 2020
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Image copyrightGETTY IMAGESImage captionMerseyrail says it is thrilled with its punctuality figures
Train operator Merseyrail has been confirmed as the UK's most punctual rail service for the second year running.
Merseyside's rail network recorded its best year for punctuality with 96.4% of its trains running on time in 2019.
Operations director Zoe Hands, said she was "thrilled" with the results but also thanked Network Rail "who have been the bedrock of our performance".
Merseyrail carries 110,000 passengers per weekday on more than 600 trains.
Ms Hands said: "These punctuality results cement the fact that Merseyrail is consistently one of the best performing rail operators in the country and I'm so glad we can put our region on the map when it comes to the best train services in Britain."
Councillor Liam Robinson, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Transport Portfolio Holder, said: "At a time when some rail services in other areas of the country and region are so poor, it's great to see that the Merseyrail network is performing well."
'Hard work'
Phil James, Regional Director for Network Rail's North West route, said: "There is a lot of hard work taking place across the North West, with our train and freight operating partners, to identify areas of improvement."
All train operating companies are obliged to publish their Public Performance Measure (PPM) which is the official measure of punctuality.
The PPM considers a train to be on time if it arrives at its destination within five or 10 minutes after schedule, for short and long-distance journeys respectively.
A spokesman for regulator the Office of Road and Rail (ORR) said Merseyrail was "the most punctual service in terms of PPM in Great Britain in 2019."
He added: "It's also true to say it was most punctual on the same basis last year (2018)."

( from BBC )

 

[Silvercity]

New Virgin Cruise Liner arrived in Liverpool yesterday.

Everything you need to know about Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady and Liverpool Cruise Terminal

25/02/2020


Virgin Voyages first boutique cruise ship has arrived in Liverpool – meet Scarlet Lady!
After successful journeys into the rail and airline businesses, it seemed space might be the final frontier for Sir Richard Branson… but that was until he set sail on a mission to conquer the seas too with Virgin Voyages and the Scarlet Lady.
The entrepreneur has launched the first of his Virgin Voyages cruise ships, Scarlet Lady, and Liverpool was treated to an early viewing as she weighed anchor in the city’s cruise terminal today (February 25) on her way to Miami from where her maiden voyage will begin on April 1.
Delivered on Valentine’s Day, February 14, by Fincantieri of Italy, she is Sir Richard’s very own love boat, but we reckon it’s cruise passengers who are going to fall head over heels with the luxurious liner.


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From " The guide Liverpool "





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images Liverpool Echo and virgin.com

 

[Scottie Dog]

Heck it doesn't even, to my eyes, have a attractive bow....

 

[Silvercity]

Another photo on twitter.

View attachment 16141

 

[Silvercity]

According to an article I was reading in a newspaper at the weekend about Virgin Cruises, they are aiming them to travelers who would traditionally never consider taking a cruise.

 

[Silvercity]

Heck it doesn't even, to my eyes, have a attractive bow....

At least they arrived on a day when it wasn't raining !!

 

[TheLocalYokel]

According to an article I was reading in a newspaper at the weekend about Virgin Cruises, they are aiming them to travelers who would traditionally never consider taking a cruise.

That's me then although Mrs Yokel still tries to persuade me to change my mind. Ironically when we've taken what I consider to be a long-enough cruise (Plymouth or Portsmouth to Roscoff or Ouistreham) I seem to be the one not affected by sea sickness. We did Ouistreham-Portsmouth once in a force 8/9 storm and of the four of us I was the only one unaffected. I went into the dining room for something to eat and there was only a handful of people in there. Everyone else on board seemed to be not very well - to put it mildly. When I returned to my companions after my meal they implored me not to speak about food.

I wonder what Virgin does that other cruise companies don't do that they think will attract cruisephobes like me.

 

[Silvercity]

That's me then although Mrs Yokel still tries to persuade me to change my mind. Ironically when we've taken what I consider to be a long-enough cruise (Plymouth or Portsmouth to Roscoff or Ouistreham) I seem to be the one not affected by sea sickness. We did Ouistreham-Portsmouth once in a force 8/9 storm and of the four of us I was the only one unaffected. I went into the dining room for something to eat and there was only a handful of people in there. Everyone else on board seemed to be not very well - to put it mildly. When I returned to my companions after my meal they implored me not to speak about food.

I wonder what Virgin does that other cruise companies don't do that they think will attract cruisephobes like me.

From what I read in the paper it will be more sort of 'trendy / young style...

Ive only been on Hurtigruten along Norwegian coast which i did.enjoy but it was more of a working ship taking cargo on and off. It was still comfortable but not too formal.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

That definitely rules me out and I don't think that even Mrs Yokel would be keen on that. Many thanks.

 

[mullion]

TheLocalYokel I think we agree I really cannot see the slightest thing of interest in a cruise and I think my wife has given up on me going on one, the only way to get me to change is offer a cruise on aircraft carrier.

 

[Coathanger16]

I went on a Royal Caribbean cruise round the Med almost 10 years ago and found it mostly enjoyable. Being an American company there were a lot of American passengers (something my Dad didn't especially enjoy).

If you've not tried one before I would recommend one, it's just a case of finding the right company.

Royal Caribbean: American & Family friendly
Virgin Voyages: Young adults/couples
Cunard: 'Sophisticated' and fine dining

There's also Costa Cruises, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, etc

Think its a case of doing your research and finding one that suits your personality.

 

[Silvercity]

We all like different things for holidays, large ships do not appeal to me, but have friends who love it and regularly travel with Cunard.

Went on board the Victoria with them at Liverpool a few years ago for dinner. Was very well appointed but its a huge ship.

 

[mullion]

No just zero appeal to me, if I go somewhere I want togo when I want and not with 2000 other people to visit all at once and charged silly money for a tour. I`ll stick to my holiday in Cornwall with my wife and dog on a deserted beach

 

[Coathanger16]

No just zero appeal to me, if I go somewhere I want togo when I want and not with 2000 other people to visit all at once and
charged silly money for a tour. I`ll stick to my holiday in Cornwall with my wife and dog on a deserted beach

Each to their own.

When we went, we didn't go on any of the cruise tours (you don't have to), we just went and did our own thing at each stop. Visiting tourist attractions was then no different than if you'd flown there and were on a city break.

 

[mullion]

As you say each to their own but I like to go where cruise liners don`t except to see them depart so I can wave them bye bye and
have the place to my self.

 

[Silvercity]

TheLocalYokel I think we agree I really cannot see the slightest thing of interest in a cruise and I think my wife has given up on me going on one, the only way to get me to change is offer a cruise on aircraft carrier.

HMS Prince of Wales ( 2nd biggest British warship )in the River for a week and you can buy tickets to go on.
They sold out today apparently .
View attachment 16175

 

[Silvercity]

Each to their own.

When we went, we didn't go on any of the cruise tours (you don't have to), we just went and did our own thing at each stop. Visiting tourist attractions was then no different than if you'd flown there and were on a city break.

I haven't been on a cruise beyond the Hurtigrutan trip I mentioned, which I enjoyed very much and would do again. I would look at a cruise holiday in the future however, there is something about travelling by ship, train too. It also good to see that cruising is growing from Liverpool, my mum has travelled on Fred Olsen a few times and enjoyed them, also no long drive to Southampton.

 

[Jerry]

I haven't been on a cruise beyond the Hurtigrutan trip I mentioned, which I enjoyed very much and would do again. I would look at a cruise holiday in the future however, there is something about travelling by ship, train too. It also good to see that cruising is growing from Liverpool, my mum has travelled on Fred Olsen a few times and enjoyed them, also no long drive to Southampton.

One of the best holidays I've ever had was a Western Mediterranean cruise with Royal Caribbean back in 2015! 18 days was quite long but I got to see quite a lot. I'd recommend it to anyone.

 

[Silvercity]

Image Liverpool Echo

You can see this ship moored in Liverpool for then next week.

 

[Silvercity]

Stena have a new larger ferry for the Belfast service.

New Stena ferry on the Mersey in multi-million pound investment
Last updated Mar 6, 2020
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Stena Edda makes its maiden voyage, departing the Twelve Quays terminal in Birkenhead at 9.30pm on Monday, sailing to Belfast. Tony McDonough reports

Stena Edda will operate on the Birkenhead to Belfast route

Ferry operator Stena Line is this week introducing the first of two new fuel-efficient vessels on its Birkenhead to Belfast route in a multi-million pound investment.
Stena Edda makes its maiden voyage, departing the Twelve Quays terminal in Birkenhead at 9.30pm on Monday, sailing to Belfast. It replaces Stena Lagan which, along with sister vessel Stena Mersey, has been operating the route for several years.
Later this year, Stena Embla will join Stena Edda on the popular route to Northern Ireland, which operates twice a day every day except Mondays. Stena Mersey will be removed from the service.
In January Stena Estrid begun operating on the Dublin to Holyhead route. It represents a “nine-figure investment” and a 25-year commitment to the Swedish company’s Irish Sea operations which carry 2.6m passengers and 750,000 freight units every year.
And a joint £17m project between Stena and Peel Ports, the Twelve Quays terminal has been upgraded to accommodate the new roll-on/roll off ferries, a familiar site for people on both sides of the river.
Stena Edda offers 40% more deck capacity, 40% more cabins and 30% more fuel efficient than current vessels on the route. It will accommodate up to 1,000 passengers, 120 cars in its dedicated garage deck and 3,100 lane metres of freight.

Stena Edda replaces Stena Lagan on the Belfast route. Picture by HowardLiverpool

A spokeswoman for Stena told LBN: “Described as ‘ferry travel redefined’, it is more spacious inside than vessels currently on the route with a Sky Bar and Scandinavian design providing new levels of comfort for both freight and travel guests.”
Despite the 215 metres length of the ferry, the new port infrastructure will deliver easier and faster loading and unloading for all passengers, increasing capacity and reducing turnaround times on the route.
Of the investment at Twelve Quays David Huck, managing director – group ports from Peel Ports, said: “The past two years have seen heavy investment in the infrastructure at Twelve Quays to offer enhanced berthing facilities for larger, more modern vessels, helping reduce turnaround times and open up opportunities to grow the region’s import and export offering by expanding capacity by 20%.