First passengers use Greenock's £19.2m cruise ship centre

Guests who arrived on the massive MSC Virtuosa and Le Champlain on Monday were disembarked through the facility for the first time and got the chance to enjoy the recent warm weather.

Pictures captured by those who were able to access the centre show its expansive courtyard area and balconies overlooking the river, with the colossal MSC Virtousa towering next to the terminal. 

The project, which has been funded by the UK and Scottish Government’s through the Glasgow City Region Deal, is being delivered by Inverclyde Council, with contributions from Peel Ports and the George Wyllie Foundation via the Dunard Trust.

While passengers were allowed into the centre on Monday, the terminal is yet to be officially put into use. 

Jim McSporran, Clydeport director at Peel Ports, hailed the new cruise centre, which he said would add to the existing offerings in the area.

READ MORE: Date set for opening new Scotts restaurant in Greenock 

He added: “We were delighted to welcome passengers to our new terminal building for the first time on Monday as we continue to make final preparations ahead of the opening of our new visitor centre later this year.

“It was really well received by guests arriving on both the MSC Virtuosa and Le Champlain yesterday and marks an important milestone in the project.

“It’s been a great year for the terminal as we experience our busiest ever year for cruises, and we feel the new terminal building will really improve our offerings at the port.”

When completed the new facility will welcome hundreds of thousands of cruise passengers into the area each year and will also include a restaurant and a museum paying tribute to the works of local artist George Wyllie.

The cruise ship centre’s eatery, Scotts Greenock, is being run by award-winning hospitality firm Buzzworks Holdings and is set to open on June 16.

An Inverclyde Council spokesperson said: “With two cruise ships docked yesterday carrying some 4,000-plus passengers and crew, our partners took the opportunity to trial the arrivals and departures hall within the new Greenock Ocean Terminal building.

“The feedback we’ve had from those involved, including the many thousands of visitors, is that it was a great success.

“Following on from the announcement last week that the terminal restaurant will open on 16 June, the welcoming of passengers through the building yesterday is another important milestone in the delivery of the facility as we look forward to the official opening this summer.”