HMS Prince of Wales returns to Liverpool 7 - 8 December
HMS Prince of Wales is returning to Liverpool this December and members of the public will once again be able to go on board and view one of the most powerful surface warships ever constructed in the UK. With an expected service life of up to 50 years, the floating cities of the Queen Elizabeth-class are highly versatile and able to meet the widest range of tasks around the world.
The ability to move 500 miles per day - combined with the speed and range of the F35 jets - means these carriers can react at very short notice and make a difference around the globe.
Transforming into a force centred around carrier strike - The Royal Navy supports ships as they conduct carrier strike missions, enforce no-fly zones, deploy Royal Marine Commandos, deliver humanitarian aid, and build international partnerships with allies.
From Saturday 7 until Sunday 8 December, you can step on board and explore the impressive aircraft carrier and take the opportunity to talk with members of the crew.
Tickets are SOLD OUT but you can still see the ship at Princes Parade during her visit from 1 – 9 December.
The visit of HMS Prince of Wales has been organised by the Royal Navy in partnership with Liverpool City Council.
Got a question? Check out our FAQ's
Where can I buy a ticket?
All tickets for HMS Prince of Wales can be purchased here.
What time will HMS Prince of Wales be open?
HMS Prince of Wales will be open from 10:30-16:30 on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 December.
Accessible viewing and special group bookings will be available between 09:30-10:30 on both days.
What time does HMS Prince of Wales close?
HMS Prince of Wales will be open from 10:30-16:30 on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 December.
Accessible viewing and special group bookings will be available between 09:30-10:30 on both days.
Why is the Prince of Wales aircraft carrier visiting Liverpool?
Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales will visit Liverpool in December in a demonstration of the Naval Service’s close ties with the city.
The second of the Royal Navy’s giant new aircraft carriers will arrive in the city for a week-long visit packed with celebrations and engagement with the local community.
When will it be here and how long for?
Monday 2 December until Monday 9 December 2024.
The public can only go on board if they have a ticket on the weekend of Saturday 7 December and Sunday 8 December 2024.
Will it be open to the public? How do we get on board?
Yes - the ship will be open to the public for a limited amount of time.
To access the vessel attendees will need to have tickets.
Tickets are available to buy from cultureliverpool.co.uk which are redeemed by Ticket Quarter. You can also find a link to buy tickets here.
If you do not have a ticket to enter the vessel you will NOT be permitted entry.
Entry may be refused (terms and conditions will apply). Terms and conditions are publicly available on the culture Liverpool website: https://www.cultureliverpool.co.uk/hms-prince-of-wales-ts-cs/.
Anyone wishing to board the vessel will need to enter via Liverpool Cruise Port.
Random bag searches will be in operation.
NO BAGS LARGER THAN A4 WILL BE PERMITTED.
Anyone intending to go on board is strongly advised to read the terms & conditions of entry given the number of restrictions that the public need to be aware of.
I would like to go on board - are there any restrictions when I go on board?
Visitors to the ship must be able to navigate through narrow corridors and steep staircases as well as being able to climb up vertical ladders. There will also be stairs to climb to gain access onto the ship.
Due to the nature of the design, the only access onto the ship is via steps. Accessible tickets (if obtained) enable people to get an up-close view of the Carrier without boarding.
You are only allowed to bring one small bag on board (equivalent of A4 size or smaller).
Photography and filming is allowed on board.
Small umbrellas will be allowed.
No food can be taken or consumed on board.
Sealed bottles of water under 500ml in size are allowed. No other drinks are permitted.
No prams or pushchairs are allowed on board. There will be a ‘buggy park’ in operation, but please note children must be carried or able to walk.
Other prohibited items include glass bottles and anything that can be considered dangerous or a weapon.
Full, random searches will be in operation.
Please be advised that the weather is unpredictable at this time of year - all visitors and attendees to the event are advised to wear appropriate clothing and footwear to the event.
I have a spare ticket - what shall I do with it?
If you have a spare ticket and want to return it - please pass it to a member of the ticketing team on the ground near to Liverpool Cruise Port. If you are unsure where they are, please speak to a member of staff who will be able to direct you.
I have a ticket - are there any terms and conditions I need to be aware of? What happens if the ship has to leave?
Due to the nature of the ship, please note the times of arrival may change. We will endeavour to keep members of the public informed should this happen.
If the event needs to be cancelled, ticket holders will be informed no later than 24 hours prior to the event date.
When you order your ticket you are doing so in accordance with the Terms and Conditions on the Ticket Quarter website. These are also stated on the Culture Liverpool website also for your reference: https://www.cultureliverpool.co.uk/hms-prince-of-wales-ts-cs/.
I don’t have a ticket - is there a waiting list?
We anticipate high demand for tickets on board the HMS Prince of Wales and suggest you purchase yours as soon as possible.
There is NO waiting list.
HMS Prince of Wales will arrive in the city on Monday 2 December and will remain in Liverpool for seven days. Although you will not be able to gain access, you will be able to still see the ship from the quayside.
I have a problem with my ticket - what do I do?
All tickets are issued through Ticket Quarter - you can contact their customer service department on 0344 8000 410 or customerservice@ticketquarter.co.uk.
If you are currently queuing to gain entry to the vessel - please alert a member of the ticketing team as early as possible.
I am going on board the vessel - does it move? Will I get motion sickness?
This is a working vessel and the weather is unpredictable. While we do not forecast a large amount of movement on the ship itself as with all maritime vessels, it can cause disorientation. We strongly advise that you take care when embarking and disembarking the vessel.
I would like to view from the quayside - are there any restrictions I need to be aware of?
Pedestrians can view the ship from Princes Parade.
Please note there will be localised road closures in place for the duration of the visit - Full details of road closures are also detailed here:
Princes Parade
Princes Parade will be closed between the entrance to the Liverpool Cruise Port Car Park to the junction with William Jessop Way, which includes the ‘Elbow Road’, from between 1900 - 2000 hrs on Monday 2 December until after the ship has sailed on Monday 9 December 2024.
Access will be maintained for residents and businesses via William Jessop Way / Princes Parade Junction. However, there will be a further ‘hard closure’ on Princes Parade in front of No. 12 Princes Parade.
The car parks for the premises at No. 8 and 10 Princes Parade will also be closed during this period. Alternative parking arrangements for vehicles that normally use these car parks will be made on the land at ‘Plot 11’ on Princes Parade. Access to this car park is for authorised vehicles only and passes can be obtained from Peel Building Management Offices.
Bath Street
During key times when the ship is arriving / departing and during the Saturday and Sunday it will be necessary to close Bath Street. There will be a diversion in place for vehicles.
All closures will be signed and staffed. They will remain in force for the duration stipulated in the Special Event Temporary Traffic Regulation Order or such lesser time as indicated by the completion of the event.
William Jessop Way
This road will remain open during the event. Access to the multi-storey car park will always be maintained. In the event it becomes full, signs will be placed to notify the public. A one-way system will be in operation, the entrance via Bath Street roundabout and exit via the new road onto Bath Street going Northbound.
I’d like to view from the Wirral - where is the best place for me to go?
Viewing from the Wirral waterfront offers a fantastic view across the Mersey with Liverpool’s iconic Three Graces in the background.
Wirral promenade from New Brighton’s Fort Perch Rock, along to the Woodside Ferry Terminal is a prime spot for viewing.
Members of the events team will be on hand to provide advice and information to the public at Floral Pavilion, Vale Park Café, Wallasey Town Hall, Seacombe Ferry Terminal and Woodside Ferry Village. They will be available on the day that the ship is due in (2 December) and the day it departs (9 December).
Attendees are requested to be mindful of residents and businesses along the waterfront and to respect other people’s property and access routes.
Due to parking restrictions, visitors are strongly encouraged to get there by train. New Brighton station is a 10 minute walk from the Floral Pavilion whilst Hamilton Square is a 5 minute walk from Woodside Ferry Terminal.
I would like to view from the quayside - are there any restrictions I need to be aware of?
Pedestrians can view the ship from Princes Parade.
Please note there will be localised road closures in place for the duration of the visit – Full details of road closures are also detailed here:
Princes Parade
Princes Parade will be closed between the entrance to the Liverpool Cruise Port Car Park to the junction with William Jessop Way, which includes the ‘Elbow Road’, from between 1900 - 2000 hrs on Monday 2 December until after the ship has sailed on Monday 9 December 2024.
Access will be maintained for residents and businesses via William Jessop Way / Princes Parade Junction. However, there will be a further ‘hard closure’ on Princes Parade in front of No. 12 Princes Parade.
The car parks for the premises at No. 8 and 10 Princes Parade will also be closed during this period. Alternative parking arrangements for vehicles that normally use these car parks will be made on the land at ‘Plot 11’ on Princes Parade. Access to this car park is for authorised vehicles only and passes can be obtained from Peel Building Management Offices.
Bath Street
During key times when the ship is arriving / departing and during the Saturday and Sunday it will be necessary to close Bath Street. There will be a diversion in place for vehicles.
All closures will be signed and staffed. They will remain in force for the duration stipulated in the Special Event Temporary Traffic Regulation Order or such lesser time as indicated by the completion of the event.
William Jessop Way
This road will remain open during the event. Access to the multi-storey car park will always be maintained. In the event it becomes full, signs will be placed to notify the public. A one-way system will be in operation, the entrance via Bath Street roundabout and exit via the new road onto Bath Street going Northbound.
Is this event free of charge? Is there a charge to go on board / do any activities?
There is a small admin fee for tickets to get on board the ship and is limited to 6 tickets per transaction.
Please arrive within your allotted time slot and expect airport style security checks. Arrival after your allotted time will result in you being unable to board the ship.
You are only allowed to bring one small bag on board (equivalent of A4 size or smaller).
The Ship can be viewed from Princes Parade at any point during her time berthed at Liverpool Cruise Port.
I am a disabled user / have additional needs / requirements. Are there any special requirements / visiting times / areas I can view from?
As this is a working ship, there are restrictions which limit the accessibility of the vessel due to limited space on board.
There will be allocated times for visitors with additional needs, who will be able to view the vessel from the quayside. However, the vessel is not suitable for those with restricted mobility due to the number of steps to gain access to and from the ship.
We strongly advise that anyone who wishes to access the ship is physically fit and is able to manoeuvre around small enclosed spaces and non-adjustable vertical ladders.
Will there be any accessible viewing areas?
Viewing is available the length of Princes Parade and during the with accessible viewing ticket time slots.
Am I allowed to bring my dog / cat / assistance animal?
Pets are not permitted access to the quayside area.
Assistance animals are allowed quayside (if patrons have tickets, however they will not be permitted on board the vessel).
Can children attend the event? Is there an age limitation on attending?
Children and adults are all able to attend the event - both quayside and onboard (providing they have a ticket to gain entry on board). Please note children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Please be aware, if you are planning to visit the vessel, prams are not permitted on board and will have to be left within the ‘buggy park’ provided. Please ensure personal belongings on the pram are kept to a minimum. Prams are left at the risk of the owners.
Only bags smaller than A4 size will be allowed through the security checks to access the Ship. Please note there is no baggage facility to leave bags.
Diaper bags, baby formula and sealed water bottles will be allowed on board.
Where is the best place to see the ship?
Will there be any road closures / parking restrictions / access limitations I need to be aware of?
Yes, there will be localised road closures during the time the ship is berthed alongside Liverpool Cruise Port.
Full details of road closures are also detailed here:
Princes Parade
Princes Parade will be closed between the entrance to the Liverpool Cruise Port Car Park to the junction with William Jessop Way, which includes the ‘Elbow Road’, from between 1900 - 2000 hrs on Monday 2 December until after the ship has sailed on Monday 9 December 2024.
Access will be maintained for residents and businesses via William Jessop Way / Princes Parade Junction. However, there will be a further ‘hard closure’ on Princes Parade in front of No. 12 Princes Parade.
The car parks for the premises at No. 8 and 10 Princes Parade will also be closed during this period. Alternative parking arrangements for vehicles that normally use these car parks will be made on the land at ‘Plot 11’ on Princes Parade. Access to this car park is for authorised vehicles only and passes can be obtained from Peel Building Management Offices.
Bath Street
During key times when the ship is arriving / departing and during the Saturday and Sunday it will be necessary to close Bath Street. There will be a diversion in place for vehicles.
All closures will be signed and staffed. They will remain in force for the duration stipulated in the Special Event Temporary Traffic Regulation Order or such lesser time as indicated by the completion of the event.
William Jessop Way
This road will remain open during the event. Access to the multi-storey car park will always be maintained. In the event it becomes full, signs will be placed to notify the public. A one-way system will be in operation, the entrance via Bath Street roundabout and exit via the new road onto Bath Street going Northbound.
Will there be parking? Where can I park with a blue badge?
Limited blue badge parking will be available at St Nicholas place, plus over the weekend there will be limited blue badge parking in Water Street and Brunswick Street. Spaces will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
Additional parking is available within city centre car parks.
As this is a working ship - what will happen if it needs to leave suddenly before / during the event?
Any changes to the timetable will be communicated to all ticket holders and through official social media channels.
Is there anything else happening in the city at the time?
There will be a whole host of activities that you can engage in. Please contact the Tourist Information Office located in Liverpool ONE to find out more.
Will there be welfare facilities at the event?
Public toilets will be available for those with tickets who are visiting on board.
There are plenty of food and drink establishments across the Waterfront and in the City Centre.
The weather looks wet and cold at the weekend - what are you doing to accommodate this?
The British weather in December is unpredictable. We strongly advise you to check the weather and wear appropriate shoes and clothing for your visit.
If you are boarding the vessel, we advise you to wear clothing that you are able to move around and climb in, along with sensible footwear.
There is nowhere to leave any baggage, additional clothing items or large umbrellas - these are your responsibility. No items of baggage larger than an A4 piece of paper will be permitted entry and you will be refused access to board.
