Cruising from Liverpool has become easier and more convenient, with the UK Government’s announcement today of its intention to lift the restrictions that had previously prevented Liverpool’s Pier Head Terminal from being used for turnaround calls – subject to the municipality's repayment of an £8.8 million UK Government grant, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines said in a statement.

Fred. Olsen cruise guests in Liverpool will be welcoming Boudicca back to the city in spring/summer 2013. The cruise line is making a return to this popular departure port with 10 cruises, on a variety of exciting worldwide itineraries, between April and August 2013. Nathan Philpot, Sales and Marketing Director for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: "Having been a supporter of the Merseyside region for a number of years, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines welcomes the decision to grant turnaround status for Pier Head in Liverpool.

Liverpool’s Pier Head, with its three famous buildings – Royal Liver Building, Cunard Building and Mersey Docks & Harbours Building – handled turnaround calls of ocean liners up to the early 1970s. Following the demise of these, the Princes Landing Stage that handled passenger ships was greatly reduced to handle just small local ferries. A new cruise terminal was built a few years ago just downriver of the remaining part of the old landing stage.

“This is a great opportunity for the City of Liverpool to boost its status as a major departure port in the UK. It also benefits Fred. Olsen and other cruise operators, as it will improve the accessibility of the port by eliminating locks and increasing the tidal window available to cruise ships,” Philpot continued.

Boudicca will be offering a wide range of cruise itineraries from Liverpool in 2013, of varying durations – from a 12-night Canary Islands cruise in April 2013 to a four-night mini-cruise in August 2013. Fred. Olsen will also be adding Harwich and Belfast to its list of regional departure ports in 2013. Together with the return to Liverpool in 2013, this means that Fred. Olsen is able to operate a vessel within only a two hours’ drive from 80% of the UK population, further enhancing its reputation as the UK’s local cruise line with a choice of global itineraries.