Wednesday, October 11, 2023 - 13:24 by londonderry
The Norwegian Star elegantly sailed into Lough Foyle this morning at 7am and anchored just off Greencastle. At 91,740 gross tonnage and 296m she is the biggest ever ship to anchor in the Lough. The arrival of the impressive ship marks the last of the 2023 cruise season for Foyle Port.
Her 3,200 guests and crew are on a 10-day voyage around Ireland from Southampton calling at Glengarriff, Cork, Waterford, Dún Laoghaire, Belfast, Killybegs and Greencastle.
The Port provides a starting point for exploring some of Ireland’s and Northern Ireland’s most magnificent areas of outstanding natural beauty and access to the historic city of Derry-Londonderry. Following a short tender ride to shore, guests enjoyed excursions to the Ulster American Folk Park, Giant’s Causeway & Dunluce Castle, Inishowen Peninsula & Doagh Famine Village, Glenveagh National Park and tours of Derry. Independent guests enjoyed exploring the local area of Greencastle.
To mark the ship’s debut call a traditional plaque exchange took place onboard between the ship’s Staff Captain Divorce Pulitika and General Manager Tony Winkler and representatives from Foyle Port, Fáilte Ireland and the Mayor’s Office.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Cllr Patricia Logue said she was delighted to welcome passengers from the Norwegian Star to the North West region. She added, “I hope the visit is a unique and enjoyable experience for the passengers and crew, many of whom will be visiting for the first time. It’s a great opportunity for us to showcase the entire region’s natural unspoiled beauty and hope that the passengers will return home with fond memories of their visit with the hopes of returning again. “
The arrival of Norwegian Star marks the end of a record 2023 cruise season for Foyle Port as it welcomed 18 ships and over 16,000 passengers and crew.
