Routes & Operators
Royal Daffodil starts Mersey Ferries passenger service
Merseytravel said on 2 November 2026 that the £26m Royal Daffodil officially enters service, starting on Tuesday 3 November. The ferry will run morning and evening commuter services, the Liverpool Sightseeing Cruise and evening cruises. It was built at the APCL Balaena shipyard in Birkenhead.
Source: Merseytravel (opens in a new tab)
Merseytravel said the £26m Royal Daffodil officially enters service and will start services on Tuesday 3 November. The ferry will run both the morning and evening commuter services, the Liverpool Sightseeing Cruise, previously known as the River Explorer Cruise, and evening cruises.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: "She's a fantastic new vessel, built right here on the banks of the Mersey in Birkenhead, bringing our proud shipbuilding heritage together with the modern facilities passengers rightly expect."
The Royal Daffodil was built at the APCL Balaena (formerly known as Cammell Laird) shipyard in Birkenhead.