£26m Royal Daffodil officially enters service with Mersey Ferries
A new era for one of the Liverpool City Region’s most iconic attractions begins this week as the £26m Royal Daffodil officially enters service.
Following a memorable week of celebrations in September to mark her arrival, the stylish new vessel will start service Tuesday 3 November taking her place in the world-famous Mersey Ferries fleet and carrying forward more than 800 years of history.
Whether commuting, enjoying a day out or exploring the waterfront, the Royal Daffodil offers passengers a modern, accessible and comfortable experience while celebrating the rich maritime heritage of Mersey Ferries.
The investment in Mersey Ferries is part of a wider transformation of the Liverpool City Region’s transport network, which includes hundreds of brand-new buses, a £500m train fleet, new rail stations, contactless ticketing and the launch of the region’s first franchised bus services in St Helens and Wirral.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:
“The Mersey Ferries are part of who we are as a city region. They’ve carried generations of people across the river, welcomed millions of visitors and become one of the most recognisable symbols of our home.
“I’m really proud that the Royal Daffodil is now ready to take her place in that centuries-old story. She’s a fantastic new vessel, built right here on the banks of the Mersey in Birkenhead, bringing our proud shipbuilding heritage together with the modern facilities passengers rightly expect.
“Whether you’re commuting, taking the kids out for the day or simply enjoying our iconic skyline, I hope people will make plenty of new memories on board for years to come.
“We’ve got a responsibility to protect these iconic ferries for future generations, and the Royal Daffodil is the next step in making sure that happens.”
The Royal Daffodil will be running both the morning and evening commuter services, Liverpool Sightseeing Cruise (previously known as the River Explorer Cruise) and evening cruises.
Painted in Mersey Ferries’ iconic red, white and black colours, the vessel features a contemporary lounge, catering facilities, spacious open decks and panoramic windows.
Designed to make travel easier for all passengers, the ferry has an on-board lift, while USB charging points, baby-changing facilities and cycle parking ensure a comfortable and convenient journey for families, day trippers and visitors exploring the wider city region.
The Royal Daffodil was built at the APCL Balaena (formerly known as Cammell Laird) shipyard in Birkenhead, continuing the region’s proud tradition of shipbuilding and ensuring that a significant part of the investment has been kept within the city region.
