Guernsey Post’s philatelic bureau announces the release of its latest Post & Go stamps, which depict some of the cruise liners that sail into Guernsey every year (issue date: 15 February 2023).

The stamps: –

GY Letter – On its North Europe cruise route, the Celebrity Silhouette, part of Celebrity Cruises’ fleet, visits Iceland, Ireland, the Scottish Isle, the UK, and Guernsey. It features real grass on the lawn on the upper deck and has been designed with the feel of a country club.

GY Large Letter – The MSC Virtuosa carries up to 6,334 passengers from the British Isles to Scandinavia, via the Baltic States. It is one of the two largest in MSC Cruises’ fleet and is one of the most environmentally-sound ships at sea.  Fitted with advanced technologies, a wide-range of energy-saving equipment and an advanced wastewater treatment system help to protect marine life.

UK Letter – Part of P&O Cruises’ fleet, the Ventura carries up to 3,192 passengers. Its Western Europe cruise sets off from Southampton and travels down to Lisbon in Portugal with a last stop off in Guernsey. Ventura’s godmother is actress Dame Helen Mirren who named the ship when it entered service in April 2008.

UK Large Letter – Saga’s boutique cruise ship, the Spirit of Adventure, carries up to 987 passengers. It was built in 2020 and sets sail from Dover, stopping off first in Guernsey before heading onto Spain and Portugal.

EURO Letter – Cunard’s Queen Victoria, was named after the former Queen and was officially named by Camilla, Queen Consort, in 2007, when she was the Duchess of Cornwall. The ship carries up to 2,081 passengers and houses a ballroom and the only theatre at sea with private balcony boxes. As well as longer cruises, Queen Victoria offers short four-day cruises with a stop off in Guernsey and Bruges.

ROW Letter – Carrying up to 3,360 passengers, the Princess British Isles cruises usually begin with a stop in Guernsey before heading to Ireland and then onto Scotland.  The upper deck of the ship is home to a 300 square foot, 69,000-watt poolside movie theatre – a feature unique to Princess Cruises.

Bridget Yabsley, head of philatelic at Guernsey Post said: – “Our Post and Go stamps have become a popular fixture as part of our philatelic programme. Guernsey hosts over 100,000 passengers from cruise ships every year and we have chosen to feature six of the many cruise liners, which sail into the island during the summer season – an impressive sight when they are moored outside St Peter Port Harbour.

“These stamps are available to purchase at self-service kiosks which are located are Guernsey’s main Post Office and Guernsey’s Tourist Information Centre. The labels are a popular choice for collectors looking to add something different to their collection and also provide a swift retail option for customers.”

The stamps and related products are also available to pre-order from 1 February 2023 by visiting www.guernseystamps.com or contacting Guernsey’s philatelic bureau on +44 (0) 1481 716486.