 What makes a good destination
I think what makes a port city special is what it can offer a tourist
that can't be found anywhere else - something that makes it unique.
Liverpool, of course, is instantly associated with the Fab Four so I'd
definitely play that up. Making the city (or at least the area around
the port) accessible by and appealing to pedestrians is great. Will a
bus transfer be absolutely necessary to get cruisers to the interesting
parts of town? I'm unfamiliar with the layout of the city, but you did
mention your world-famous waterfront? What makes it world-famous?
In St. Georges, Bermuda, I got a hold of a self-guided walking tour
pamphlet which was great. It had directions (turn left, walk two
blocks, etc.) and lots of really interesting facts about the various
buildings, Bermuda architecture, etc. Something like that would be
great. Bermuda also does a really great job of having information
readily available, right as you enter the harbor house. Make street
maps, brochures on city highlights, bus schedules, restaurant guides,
museum guides, shopping guides and stuff like that readily available to
visitors. And, have that information table attended by a welcoming
knowledge-filled Liverpudlian to answer any questions, point the way,
etc.
Have a taxi stand with a good supply of taxis in wait for passengers.
Setting up flat rates to popular destinations, and having those rates
posted for all to see, is really helpful and comforting. They have this
in Cozumel, so there are no surprises when it comes to paying the
cabbie.
Hope Liverpool's new life as a cruise port works for everyone!
Lee
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