A public competition has opened offering people the chance to be among the first passengers to sail aboard the new £26m Royal Daffodil Mersey Ferry.

The special celebration cruise will take place on Saturday 26 September, with 68 winners each receiving four free places aboard the first new Mersey Ferry to be commissioned in more than 60 years.

The Royal Daffodil is due to enter passenger service in October and is currently undergoing testing and crew training on the River Mersey ahead of its official introduction.

Built on the banks of the Mersey at the APCL Balaena shipyard in Birkenhead, formerly known as Cammell Laird, the publicly owned vessel represents a major investment in the future of one of the Liverpool City Region’s most recognisable icons.

Competition winners will be among the first passengers to step aboard and experience the ferry’s new interiors and facilities, with musical entertainment and commemorative gifts also planned as part of the special sailing.

The Royal Daffodil has been designed to secure the future of Mersey Ferries for generations to come, while offering passengers an enhanced experience across its regular services and special events.

Alongside operating on the world-famous River Explorer Cruise and commuter services, the vessel has been designed to host a range of functions and celebrations.

Its arrival marks the latest chapter in more than 800 years of Mersey Ferries history, with the service becoming an enduring symbol of Liverpool and the wider city region.

Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said the new ferry represented an investment not only in public transport but in the future of the region, adding that it was fitting for local people to be among the first to travel aboard the publicly owned vessel.

He said the Royal Daffodil would continue a tradition that has seen generations of local families use the ferries for days out, commuting and journeys across the Mersey.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: 

“As a kid in the summer holidays, I’d often get the bus into town with my brothers, hop on the ferry and head over the water to places like New Brighton which, to this day, is still my favourite spot in our region.

“I know I’m far from alone in having that connection. For generations of families, the Ferry Cross the Mersey has been part of growing up here – whether it was a day out, the daily commute or simply seeing those famous boats making their way across the river.

“Those ferries have served our region brilliantly for decades. With the Royal Daffodil, we’re investing £26m to make sure that proud tradition continues for generations to come – with a brand-new ferry built right here on the banks of the Mersey.

“The new ferry is a £26 million investment, not just in public transport, but in the future of our region – and it’s owned by the 1.6 million people who call it home. So, it’s only right that local people should be among the very first passengers to travel aboard and be part of a small piece of history.

“This is a rare opportunity to be a part one of the first sailings of the new Royal Daffodil and I can promise passengers that they that they will be wowed from the moment they step aboard. I hope, years from now, they’ll look back on the memories of that journey with the same pride and affection that I have for mine.”

The new ferry has been built locally in Birkenhead, continuing the region’s shipbuilding heritage and ensuring a significant proportion of the £26m investment has remained within the Liverpool City Region.

Liverpool City Council leader Cllr Liam Robinson described Mersey Ferries as a vital part of the region’s transport network as well as a gateway to Liverpool’s waterfront for visitors.

He said the arrival of the Royal Daffodil represented an exciting new chapter for the service and offered members of the public a rare opportunity to experience a vessel which will serve residents and visitors for decades.

Cllr Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council, said: 

“The Mersey Ferries are a vital part of our transport network for commuters, a gateway to our world-famous waterfront for visitors, and one of the most recognisable symbols of our city region.

“The Royal Daffodil represents an exciting new chapter for this iconic service and, because it belongs to the people of the Liverpool City Region, it’s only right that members of the public should be among the first to experience it.

“This is a special opportunity to be part of a once-in-a-generation moment and to step aboard a vessel that will serve residents and visitors for decades to come.”

The wider programme of events surrounding the ferry’s entry into service will bring together city region leaders, partners, stakeholders and Mersey Ferries supporters.

The celebrations will highlight the ferry’s role in connecting visitors with the Liverpool City Region’s waterfront and attractions, as well as its importance to tourism and the area’s maritime heritage.

Wirral Council leader Cllr Paula Basnett said the Royal Daffodil’s arrival was a proud moment for Wirral and for the workforce involved in building the vessel at the Birkenhead shipyard.

She said the special launch cruise would give people the opportunity to experience the next chapter in the history of Mersey Ferries before the Royal Daffodil fully enters passenger service.

Cllr Paula Basnett, Leader of Wirral Council, said: 

“The arrival of the Royal Daffodil is a proud moment for Wirral and for everyone who has played a part in bringing this fantastic vessel to life, including the skilled workforce at Cammell Laird’s APCL Balaena shipyard here in Birkenhead.

“For centuries, the Mersey Ferries have been woven into the fabric of life on both sides of the river, connecting generations of communities and creating cherished memories for residents and visitors alike.

“This special launch cruise offers people a unique chance to be part of this history and to experience the next chapter of the ferries’ story before the Royal Daffodil fully enters service. 

“The new Royal Daffodil honours our maritime heritage while looking firmly to the future, and I know people across Wirral will share in the excitement of welcoming her to the Mersey.”

Painted in Mersey Ferries’ historic red, white and black colours, the new vessel features a contemporary main-deck lounge, modern bars and spacious open-plan decks offering views across the River Mersey.

Dedicated event spaces have also been incorporated into the design, allowing the Royal Daffodil to be used as a venue for conferences, corporate functions and private celebrations.

Accessibility has been made a priority, with a fully accessible interior and a dedicated lift providing access to the upper deck.

The Royal Daffodil is scheduled to begin passenger services in October, with the September celebration cruise forming part of a wider programme of launch activities.

The free ballot opened on Wednesday 12 August and will remain open until Tuesday 1 September.

For more information and to enter the competition, visit the official Mersey Ferries website.

READ MORE: Mersey Ferries crews prepare to welcome passengers aboard new Royal Daffodil