Cork was geared up this morning to welcome the largest cruise ship to enter Irish waters.
The 91,000-ton Constellation, of Celebrity Cruises, was to visit Ringaskiddy, Co Cork, before going on to Dún Laoghaire tomorrow morning.
Arriving in Cork at 7.30 a.m. today, the vessel is to leave at 5.30 p.m. It will enter the new marina at Dún Laoghaire at 6 a.m. tomorrow, when passengers will disembark to take a day-trip around Dublin. The vessel is to depart at 6 p.m.
The visit is part of a 14-day itinerary taking in Britain, Ireland and the Norwegian fiords. The cheapest fare for this trip is €3,154.
The Constellationwas built at St Nazaire, France, at a cost of $350 million. The 294-metre liner has 11 decks and 975 cabins. It can accommodate up to 2,450 passengers, with a crew of 999.