Isle of Man

2026 cruise season due to start as Isle of Man builds on record-breaking year

April 16, 2026 13:26

Visit Isle of Man is preparing for the start of the 2026 cruise season, building on the momentum of a record-breaking year for cruise tourism in 2025 and continued growth in the Island’s cruise sector. The Isle of Man welcomed 26,357 cruise passengers in 2025, the highest number on record, generating an estimated £2.3 million in visitor spend and reinforcing the Island’s growing appeal as a valued cruise destination within the British Isles. Looking ahead, 45 cruise calls are currently scheduled for the 2026 season, including seven maiden visits. The upcoming season will also see the arrival of the Island’s 500th cruise ship, marking a major milestone in the development of the Isle of Man’s cruise industry and underlining the Island’s long-term ambition to continue strengthening its cruise offer and global profile. Cruise tourism plays an increasingly important role in supporting the Isle of Man’s visitor economy, delivering valuable visitor spend for local businesses and providing a platform to showcase the Island’s rich heritage, natural landscapes and quality shore experiences. The continued development of the sector aligns with Visit Isle of Man’s ten-year visitor economy strategy, ‘Our Island, Our Future’, which prioritises sustainable growth, diversification of markets and long-term economic value. Deborah Heather, CEO of Visit Isle of Man, commented: ‘Following a record-breaking year for cruise tourism in 2025, it’s encouraging to see continued confidence from cruise operators as we prepare for the 2026 season. A strong programme of calls and several maiden visits reflect the Isle of Man’s growing reputation as a desirable and rewarding destination. ‘What truly sets the Island apart is the quality of the experience we’re able to offer cruise visitors, from the welcome passengers receive on arrival to the depth and authenticity of the experience available ashore. Delivering that consistently relies on close collaboration between local businesses, attractions, guides and volunteers, whose collective efforts ensure every visit runs smoothly and leaves a lasting impression.’ Sarah Maltby MHK, Political Member with responsibility for Tourism, Motorsport and Heritage, added: ‘Cruise tourism continues to play an important role in the Isle of Man’s visitor economy and the results seen in 2025 give us a strong platform to build on for the future. Our focus is on taking a long-term, strategic approach that supports sustainable growth and delivers real benefits for the Island. ‘Strong relationships are key in the cruise industry. By continuing to build trust, visibility and strong partnerships with cruise operators and industry partners, the Isle of Man is strengthening its reputation as a destination that cruise lines want to work with, both now and in the seasons ahead.’ Visit Isle of Man remains committed to working in partnership with the cruise industry, on‑Island businesses and volunteers to enhance the Island’s cruise offering and further strengthen its position as a must‑visit destination in the years ahead.

Isle of Man welcomes over 26,000 cruise passengers in record-breaking 2025 season

October 2, 2025 15:14

This year has marked a record-breaking year for the number of cruise passengers visiting the shores of the Isle of Man. Visit Isle of Man is celebrating an extraordinary cruise season, delivering increased visitor numbers and economic impact. The season welcomed 47 cruise ship calls, including nine maiden voyages, bringing 26,357 passengers to the Island, an increase of 21% on last year’s cruise passenger numbers, with 43 cruise ships welcomed to the Isle of Man in 2024. The record-breaking season generated an estimated £2.3m in economic contributions, through port and passenger spend across the Island's tourism, hospitality and retail sectors. Passengers embraced the full breadth of the Island's offering, from heritage sites, guided walking and golfing tours, travelling on the Manx Electric and Steam Railways to newly opened attractions such as Ballacosnahan Farm providing unique farm experiences. The authentic Manx experience extended to onboard dining, with local business Robinsons supplying Compagnie du Ponant's Le Bellot with lobster sustainably caught by local fishermen for passengers to enjoy during their voyage. Deborah Heather, CEO of Visit Isle of Man, commented: ‘We are delighted with this record-breaking season, which demonstrates the growing international recognition of the Isle of Man as a cruise destination. This success reflects the exceptional collaboration between government departments, contractors, volunteers, and local stakeholders and has generated significant benefits across the Island.’ Sarah Maltby MHK, Political Member with responsibility for Tourism, Motorsport and Heritage, added: ‘We’re delighted with this exceptional season. Cruise visits not only deliver valuable economic benefits for local businesses but also provides a platform to showcase the Isle of Man’s unique offering to a global audience. Cruise visitors become ambassadors for our Island, sharing their experiences and encouraging future visits. This strong growth in cruise tourism reinforces our position as an essential destination within cruise itineraries across the British Isles.’ This impressive growth coincides with the British Isles cruise region receiving international acclaim, as Cruise Britain and Cruise Ireland were jointly named Destination of the Year at the esteemed 2025 Seatrade Cruise Awards. This award highlights the outstanding cruise experiences offered throughout the British Isles. This year, the Visit Isle of Man team personally welcomed every maiden voyage to the Island, greeting captains and crews, exchanging plaques, and extending a warm welcome to passengers with the support of our dedicated grounds team and cruise volunteers. These figures do not include crew members, many of whom also disembark and contribute to the local economy through their onshore spending. Visit Isle of Man remains committed to working alongside cruise industry partners to build upon this record-breaking success, securing the Isle of Man's position as a must-visit destination for future seasons. They are also seeking cruise volunteers for the 2026 season, to help provide a warm Manx welcome to arriving cruise passengers. For anyone interested in becoming a cruise volunteer, please email cruise@gov.im for further information.