Making the most of Liverpool
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Liverpool's cruise berth officially opened on September 21st 2007. The berth is just a 5-10 minute walk from the World Heritage City center, whilst England's beautiful Northwest region is practically on the door step. A new permanent cruise terminal has been replaced the old facility in 2023. This terminal is only a block or two away from the existing terminal.
The berth is at Princes Dock. A 3 minute walk south to Pier Head, where in summer there is a fair with many rides, a rather lively area. Another 8 minute walk south, you will find the beautiful restored Albert Dock with The Beatles Story Museum and the Mersey side Maritime Museum and many restaurants and cafes in a very pleasant area. Right next to the Albert dock you will find Wheel of Liverpool, a huge ferris wheel with great views.
If the weather is nice, the above area is certainly good for a few hours of fun and relaxation.
Printable map to take along.
Liverpool is not only the birth place of the Beatles but is also a cultural capital, with more national museums, theatres and galleries than any other UK city outside London.
Sport is a passion too with two Premiership soccer clubs and home to the world's most famous steeplechase, The Grand National. The Northwest region is known as England's Golf Coast.
Liverpool has splendid country houses, exciting sporting events and fascinating reminders of the area's maritime heritage, but nearby you'll also find the Roman City of Chester, contemporary Manchester and the stunning landscapes of Lancashire and the Lake District.
Liverpool is an amazing paradox. From museums to music, world class sport to shopping, it is a city bursting with energy, life and passion to be explored and enjoyed.
Getting around
All over the town (on nearly every corner of the downtown area) are big poles with arrows that would point in the direction of where sights are and not only would have the name of the sight, but the distance to that sight and the amount of minutes to walk there.
Buses, including the hop-on-and-off sightseeing services, are a five-minute walk away
Hop-on-and-off bus When a cruise ship is in port the buses leave every 15 minutes. As guides are "real": only English spoken and no earphones.
Nearby places
The beautiful Lake District is nearby.
Food and shopping
For serious shoppers the new Met Quarter and Liverpool 1 boast designer boutiques and over 200 new shops, restaurants and bars.
Money
The currency throughout the UK is the pound (£). You may also hear the slang term quid for pounds. Scottish bank notes are frowned upon in other parts of the UK, so change the notes before leaving Scotland.
Cash machines (ATM) or less formally 'holes in the wall' are very widely available and usually dispense £10 and £20 notes.
Visa, Mastercard and Maestro, are accepted by most shops and restaurants.
Staying connected
English is spoken throughout the country, but sometimes with heavy accents!
Plenty of cafes and fast food outlets offer free WiFi.
The local emergency telephone number is 999, however the EU-wide 112 can also be used.
Opening Hours and
Shopping hours are in general:
Small stores 6 or 7 days a week (10am - 6pm) Larger stores in general stay open til' 9PM Hyper marts often 24/7