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Canal tours cruise to all-time high: 06 October 2009; The Mersey Ferries’ Manchester Ship Canal tours are defying the credit crunch – coasting through the 22,000 barrier for the first time.

Merseytravel, owners and operators of the ferries, has seen demand for the cruises, one of the jewels in the Mersey Ferries crown, up six per cent on last year – Liverpool’s year in the global spotlight as European Capital of Culture.

The figure is more than double the 10,500 passengers being carried in 2004.

Councillor Mark Dowd, Chair of Merseytravel, said: “The fact that these cruises are proving to be more popular, year on year, justifies our decision to continue to invest in the ferries. In just five years we have doubled the number of passengers on these cruises.

“We are delighted that people, locally and from across the world, are continuing to support the ferries like this.”

Neil Scales, Chief Executive and Director General of Merseytravel added: “The ferries business is incredibly important to us and we’re delighted with the success of the cruises.

“We’ve invested more than £60million in the Mersey Ferries business over the last ten years; and made them an intrinsic part of the region’s tourism economy. In that time we have made improvements to all three ferries and terminals, including new and exciting attractions such as the U-Boat Story and Beatles Story expansion.”

Cruises usually depart from Liverpool’s Pier Head on Saturday’s and Salford Quays on Sundays.

The final Ship Canal Cruises of 2009 season will depart on Saturday 17th October (from Liverpool) and Sunday 18th October from Salford Quays.

The cruises take in the spectacular scenery of the Manchester Ship Canal, leaving passengers with a sense of how its construction shaped the region.

The six-hour, 35-mile cruise includes a live commentary giving an insight into the facts, history and dramas of one of Britain’s most important waterways.

Mersey Ferries vessels carry passengers in comfortable modern surroundings following their multi-million pound refits. The Ferries have a bar and food is available to purchase in the lounge areas.

The cruise costs £35 per head (£33 for senior citizens), with a 10% discount for groups of 20 or more, and includes bus transportation to take passengers back to their starting point at the end of the cruise.

Tickets are only available by advance booking.

Contact Mersey Ferries on 0151 330 1444 or book on-line at www.merseyferries.co.uk

Pictured: The Snowdrop on the Manchester Ship Canal; Back to Media Centre