Exclusive Discount for LOOP Readers 65 reasons to visit SS Sheildhall Steamship

Maritime

65 reasons to visit the Steamship Shieldhall website!

Steamship Shieldhall marked her 65th including a Titanic based cruise, and music birthday this summer, but was unable to cruises with tribute bands RU40, the celebrate in style as planned with a trip to Soulcatchers and Shieldhall’s house band the the Nab Tower. However, behind-the-scenes Stompers. work on Shieldhall means that Southampton’s Initially, a limited number of tickets will be heritage steamship is in excellent condition, available as Shieldhall introduces COVIDwith volunteers looking forward to a full 2021 compliant measures on board during the sailing programme. Earlier this month Shieldhall autumn and winter. A Government Heritage launched a new website, www.ss-shieldhall. Emergency Grant awarded during the summer co.uk, and has now unveiled her 2021 sailing has assisted Shieldhall’s volunteers in carrying programme. out essential maintenance works on the ship Shieldhall’s 2021 sailing will commence in May and alongside, which continues in earnest. The and carry through to September, with a mixture new website offers passengers the chance to of 2hr, 3 1/2hr, 4hr, 6hr and all day cruises. further support the Shieldhall Charity by Special trips held over from 2020 will be staged, becoming members (and entitled to a 10% including the sailing to the Nab Tower and a saving on all tickets purchased) and to cruise to celebrate the 200th anniversary of purchase Gift Tickets for Christmas, birthdays the first steamship to leave Southampton, the and other special occasions. Steam enthusiasts Prince of Cobourg, in 1820. Also included will should look out for opportunities to purchase be trips to view the Round the Island and single day or two day ‘Steam Experiences’ on Fastnet Races, and the Bournemouth Air board, whilst two Heritage Adventure Training Festival. There will be special themed cruises Days at Sea for youth groups will be staged,

together with two ashes scatterings at sea. A popular outing for groups, Shieldhall has once again teamed up with SeaCity Museum, Solent Sky and the SEE Southampton tour guides to offer full day packages for parties of 10 or more on the themes of the Titanic, the Spitfire and the Mayflower. These will be available when coinciding with 2hr and 3 ½ hour sailings. Lewis Folland of Shieldhall’s marketing team noted: ‘We have published next year’s programme earlier than ever. Many of our guests unable to sail with us this year have offered their support and encouragement by holding tickets over to 2021, and we cannot wait to welcome them and other passengers on board. The distinctive sound of Shieldhall’s siren and whistle may have been missing from Southampton Water and The Solent during 2020, but we look forward to once again becoming a regular site on this most historic stretch of water, keeping Shieldhall ‘Alive and Steaming.’

About Steamship Shieldhall

Steamship Shieldhall’s 2020 sailing programme was due to have commenced in May, but was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. For more information on Shieldhall’s 2021 programme, please visit:

https://bit.ly/32M0O2M

Shieldhall is run entirely by volunteers, and for the past two years has been listed as the ‘Number One Thing to Do in Southampton’ on TripAdvisor.