New Royal Daffodil Sets Sail on Maiden Mersey Voyage, Liverpool 2026

Key Points

• The £26 million Royal Daffodil, which is the first ever new Mersey Ferry to be built since 1966, had its launch on 22 September 2026 from the Gerry Marsden Ferry Terminal in Liverpool.
• Made by Cammell Laird of Birkenhead, now known as Balaena Birkenhead, and funded by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, the 50-metre long ferry has modern facilities such as panoramic windows, USB charging facilities, lift, bicycle racks, and changing rooms for babies.
• The ferry will be used for transporting passengers from September 2026 after its final preparations. The first public trip of the ferry will take place on 26 September 2026 for passengers who have been chosen through a free ballot draw.
• Among those present at the launch event were Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram, Maritime Minister Keir Mather, broadcaster Claire Sweeney, and Wirral Mayor Councillor Mary Jordan.
• The replacement of the defunct Royal Iris, the ferry has been designed to serve the needs of both commuters and tourists.

Liverpool (Liverpool standard) September 22, 2026 – The first new Mersey Ferry in six decades officially entered service as the £26 million Royal Daffodil completed its maiden voyage across the River Mersey following a ceremonial launch at the Gerry Marsden Ferry Terminal.

What happened during the Royal Daffodil naming ceremony?

The naming ceremony on Tuesday, 22 September 2026 marked a historic milestone in the 800-year history of Mersey Ferries, with traditional maritime rituals including a vessel blessing, the breaking of a bottle against the hull, daffodil-coloured flares, confetti and a tugboat marine salute. As reported by Marc Gaier of BBC News, Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram described the ferry as “the last piece in the jigsaw” in the city region’s public transport overhaul, which has included investment in new trains and buses.

Broadcaster and actress Claire Sweeney, who hosted the ceremony, told BBC Breakfast it was “one of the greatest honours of my career” to be involved with the launch, adding she had happy memories of going on the ferries over the years, including discos on the Royal Iris as a child. The ceremony featured musical performances from the Pleasant Street Primary School Choir and Liverpool Show Choir, with the Sea Cadet Corps welcoming guests to the ferry terminal.

Maritime Minister Keir Mather said:

“Gerry and the Pacemakers made the Mersey Ferry famous around the world, generations of dockyard workers made it part of Liverpool’s story, and today the Liverpool City Region is writing the next chapter.”

He described the £26 million investment as delivering “better accessibility, modern facilities and some of the best views on the water” and representing “a new era for one of Britain’s most iconic services”.

What facilities does the new Royal Daffodil ferry include?

The Royal Daffodil, measuring 50 metres in length and displacing 750 tonnes, was constructed at Cammell Laird in Birkenhead (now operating as Balaena Birkenhead) and features extensive modern passenger amenities. According to reporting by Craig Manning of the Wirral Globe, the vessel includes panoramic windows, USB charging points, cycle parking, an accessible lift, and baby-changing facilities.

The ferry’s interior comprises a contemporary main-deck lounge, open-plan decks, and an upper viewing area with traditional timber seating for open-air sightseeing. As reported by The Independent, passengers can move between decks using two staircases and a lift, with storytelling boards providing historical context about the Mersey Ferries. The vessel also features modern bars and an onboard cafe, with catering to be provided by Crosby Fresh, the operator of the Discovery Café at Seacombe Ferry Terminal.

The exterior paintwork is finished in Mersey Ferries’ historic red, white and black colours, maintaining the visual identity associated with the service. During sea trials, the ferry achieved a speed of 12 knots, according to Baird Maritime.

Who attended the Royal Daffodil maiden voyage?

The launch ceremony attracted prominent figures from politics, entertainment and local culture. Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram was joined by Maritime Minister Keir Mather MP, Wirral Mayor Councillor Mary Jordan, and broadcaster Claire Sweeney. As reported by the Wirral Globe, Mr Rotheram said: “Anyone from this part of the world understands the significance Mersey Ferries conjure in the minds of people – they are part of the very fabric of our skyline, our history and our identity.”

Mike McCartney, brother of Sir Paul McCartney and a Wirral-based photographer, attended the event and said several of his photographs of The Beatles aboard the Royal Iris would be displayed on the new vessel. He told the BBC:

“As children, if you’re a Liverpudlian the ferry across the Mersey is part of your life.”

Wirral-based radio presenter Pete Price was also among the invited guests, describing the ferry as “beautiful” and saying he was “flabbergasted to be on the inaugural sailing”.

Liverpool City Council leader Liam Robinson said the Royal Daffodil was “a fantastic addition to one of our region’s most iconic attractions and a symbol of our continued ambition to invest in Liverpool’s waterfront and visitor economy”. Wirral Council leader Paula Basnett added:

“Built here in Birkenhead, the new vessel is a showcase for Wirral’s long-standing maritime and shipbuilding traditions and represents the best of our past and our future.”

When will Royal Daffodil begin carrying passengers?

Following the naming ceremony and maiden voyage, the Royal Daffodil will complete final preparations before entering full passenger service in early autumn 2026. The first public cruise is scheduled for Saturday, 26 September 2026, carrying passengers selected through a free ballot, according to Mersey Ferries and multiple news outlets.

The new vessel is to enter full service through a phased and controlled process, with safety, crew competence, reliability and customer experience serving as key readiness tests, as reported by the Liverpool Echo. Gary Evans, from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, told BBC Breakfast that the region receives 61 million visitors annually and this is “the first Mersey ferry that we have ever designed with the leisure market in mind”.

The Royal Daffodil replaces the Royal Iris, which was decommissioned earlier in 2026 after 66 years of service and featured in the 1965 film Ferry Cross the Mersey. Mersey Ferries employees Leah Rogers and Ellie Vondy, who attended the launch, said their first memory of the ferries was going on a trip while they were at nursery.

Background: How did the Royal Daffodil project develop?

The Royal Daffodil project began almost two years before its maiden voyage, with construction getting underway at Cammell Laird in Birkenhead in late 2024. The vessel was floated on the River Mersey for the first time on 6 November 2025, according to Mersey Ferries. The ferry underwent sea trials from spring 2026, with crew training and testing conducted on the river ahead of its planned introduction into passenger service.

The £26 million investment was made by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, with the vessel built by skilled workers and apprentices at the Birkenhead shipyard. The project was positioned as part of a wider transformation of the Liverpool City Region’s transport network, complementing investments in new trains and buses. The naming of the vessel carries forward one of the most iconic names in Mersey Ferries history, with previous Royal Daffodil ferries having served the river for generations.

Prediction: How will Royal Daffodil affect Mersey commuters and tourists?

The introduction of the Royal Daffodil is expected to enhance the experience for both daily commuters and the 61 million annual visitors to the Liverpool City Region, according to officials. The vessel’s design with the leisure market in mind, including event and conference spaces, positions Mersey Ferries to capitalise on the region’s tourism industry while maintaining its role in the transport network.

For commuters, the modern facilities including USB charging points, improved accessibility via the lift, and enhanced seating arrangements should improve the daily crossing experience. For tourists, the panoramic windows, storytelling boards, and upper viewing area with traditional timber seating offer improved sightseeing opportunities across the Liverpool waterfront.

Local business leaders suggest the vessel will support the visitor economy and strengthen connections between Liverpool and Wirral communities. Councillor Paula Basnett noted it would “support local businesses and strengthen our visitor economy, ensuring Mersey Ferries remain a valued part of our communities for generations to come”. The phased entry into service allows operators to ensure reliability and customer experience standards are met before full operational deployment.