<p>Liverpool's new $38 million cruise terminal, which opened in September 2007, is expected to receive some 18,300 cruise passengers in 2008 and Liverpool's tourism office has secured 14 cruise ships that will visit in 2009, bringing in around 23,500 passengers and one million new gross tonnage to the river. &quot;Liverpool has really made its mark as a world-class cruise port incredibly quickly,&quot; said Carl Walsh, VisitBritain's director of travel trade and business tourism. &quot;And it's no wonder, as it offers unsurpassed visitor attractions combining the legacy of the Beatles and centuries of history and architecture alongside modern shopping, museums, bars and restaurants. Liverpool's appeal to Americans is a no brainer; the addition of the cruise terminal now makes the city equally accessible by cruise ship, airplane, train and road.&quot;</p><p>There are 11 American cruises visiting Liverpool this year, the largest ship being Princess Cruises' Grand Princess at 951 feet long carrying 2,600 passengers. Cunard's QEII will dock in October with 1,700 passengers. In addition, Holland America's Orinsendam and Maasdam are making stops. The features top class visitor facilities, and the city itself is a &quot;must-see&quot; for international visitors. The Beatles Story museum has doubled in size with new exhibitions. The world's first Beatles-themed boutique hotel -- Hard Days Night Hotel -- has opened. Liverpool Cathedral, the world's largest Anglican Cathedral, has completed a $6 million restoration. One of Europe's finest civic buildings -- St. George's Hall -- has re-opened following a $46 million restoration with a new Heritage Centre and public tours. A new exhibition at Merseyside Maritime Museum from July 28, 2008 through Sept. 27, 2009, &quot;Magical History Tour&quot;, charts Liverpool's 800-year history from fishing village to Second City of the British Empire and into the modern era. A new exhibition at The World Museum from July 12, 2008 through Nov. 1 2009, &quot;The Beat Goes On&quot; celebrates Liverpool's contribution to popular music.</p><p>Liverpool One opens at the end of May, and is set to be one of the largest downtown shopping malls in Europe. The main walkway through Liverpool One, Paradise Street, boasts a new cinema as well as cafes, bars and restaurants including Raymond Blanc's Brasserie Blanc. A landscaped urban green space, Chavasse Park, provides views of the city and waterfront. Visit www.liverpool08.com. </p>