THE world’s largest privately-owned yacht paid its first-ever visit to the North East yesterday.
The World is the permanent home of 130 families from across the globe, who each own one of 165 bespoke apartments.
Residents stepped off the 196-metre-long vessel onto the Port of Tyne after its arrival at 8am yesterday morning to visit Newcastle, The Angel of the North, Durham Cathedral and other North East attractions.
The ship features restaurants, bars, two swimming pools, a full-sized tennis court, spa and casino. Residents visit the ship’s gourmet deli for their groceries and luxury goods, which are replenished regularly at different ports.
The shop even stocks Newcastle Brown Ale, as an alternative to the 12,000 bottles of vintage champagne on board, which is enjoyed by residents from all over the world.
The back of the ship opens out into to the sea for residents to swim in warm waters – and some even take a dip in the Antarctic ocean.
Cruises and ferry passengers injected an estimated £44m into the North East economy last year and heavy investment amounting to around £100m over the last 10 years means the Port of Tyne can attract high-profile cruises as well as traditional port trade.
And the wealthy residents of The World are expected to make a substantial contribution before they set sail at midnight tonight.
The Port of Tyne is one of only five in the UK with a deep enough dock to allow large ships like The World to anchor.
Chief operating officer at the Port of Tyne, Steve Harrison, said: “We’re one of the world’s foremost deep sea ports.
“The likes of Edinburgh have to have large vessels anchor at sea and then have smaller boats that ferry passengers backwards and forwards, whereas we can welcome them directly onto our dock.
“Here we have a purpose-built berth at Northumbrian Quay, so it is more convenient to passengers – or in this case residents.
“We have 20 cruises booked this year, with 37 planned for 2012, which we are hoping to expand to 40, making it our busiest cruise season ever.”
After a tour of The World, Port of Tyne chief executive Andrew Moffat said: “I’m positive that the residents will have a wonderful experience at Newcastle and the region.
“I know they are keen to experience the heritage and hopefully they’ll come back again.
“The fact that The World is paying a visit to the Port of Tyne is testament to our region’s rich heritage and vibrant city culture.”
On Sunday the region will receive a more traditional cruise in the form of Holland America’s Eurodam.
It will bring more than 2,100 passengers who will again visit iconic attractions right across the North East.
Mr Moffat welcomed The World’s Captain, Dag Saevik, by giving him a glass vase by local artist Jane Charles to recognise the region as the world’s first producer of coloured glass.
He also gave Captain Saevik a limited edition print of ‘Mouth of the Tyne’ by John Wilson Carmichael and received a plaque to signify the ship’s maiden voyage to Tyneside from the captain.
Captain Saevik said: “Coming into the port was beautiful, the weather couldn’t have been better. It was like arriving at a Mediterranean port.
“I heard a lot about Newcastle from studying history at school, we used to have a ferry coming to here from Norway where I am from, but this is my first visit to Newcastle.
“When I get free time ashore I always improvise, so I will be going out and seeing what happens.”
Residents aboard The World are typically in their sixties and decide themselves where the ship will go through meetings and votes. Its 2011 itinerary includes 53 countries and after visiting Edinburgh after Tyneside The World will stop at various ports in Norway.
Tyneside was chosen as part of the itinerary for 2011, with a group very excited to see the paintings by the Ashington Miners after the success of the play by Billy Elliot writer Lee Hall.
A return to the region in 2013 is already being discussed after the residents’ maiden trip.
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