Royal Daffodil: Mersey Ferries' first new boat in six decades hits the water

Liverpool's famous ferry crossing just got its first new vessel in over 60 years. On 22 September 2026, Mersey Ferries officially inaugurated the Royal Daffodil, a £26 million ship built by Cammell Laird in Birkenhead for the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. Passengers should be able to ride her from early autumn 2026, once final preparations wrap up.

The Mersey crossing between Seacombe and Liverpool is one of the oldest ferry routes around — boats have been shuttling between the two banks for some 800 years, and the ferries are as much a part of the city's skyline as its docks. Mayor Steve Rotheram framed the new build as more than transport, pointing out that the vessel was constructed locally on the banks of the Mersey, reviving the region's shipbuilding pedigree.

Visually, the Royal Daffodil keeps things traditional on the outside, painted in Mersey Ferries' classic red, white and black. Step inside and it's a different story: a contemporary lounge, bars, open-plan decks with adjustable panoramic windows, USB charging points, storytelling boards, baby-changing facilities and dedicated cycle parking on the main deck. Two staircases plus an on-board lift make moving between decks straightforward, and the upper open viewing deck — with traditional timber bench seating — is the spot for taking in the UNESCO-listed waterfront.

The vessel will do double duty: carrying daily commuters between Seacombe and Liverpool, and running sightseeing cruises along the River Mersey for visitors. Local businesses on both sides of the water stand to benefit from smoother movement between the two cities.

For travellers, this is a genuinely good reason to add a half-day on the Mersey to any Liverpool trip. The ferry cruise is a classic — you get close-up views of the Three Graces (the Royal Liver Building, Cunard Building and Port of Liverpool Building), plus the Wirral shoreline, from a brand-new ship with proper viewing space. Pair it with a wander around the Albert Dock and the Beatles Story, and you've got a solid city-break day.