CE holds its first port exchange & educational programme in Belfast

15/01/2026

Princess Cruises expands Northern Europe portfolio for 2027

Princess Cruises is launching an extended Northern Europe programme for 2027, offering 48 voyages to 54 destinations across 18 countries. With Regal Princess joining Majestic, Sky and Caribbean Princess, the brand’s Europe 2027 programme now exceeds 250 voyages to more than 115 destinations across Northern Europe and the Mediterranean. "Princess is sailing Northern Europe like never before, presenting our most comprehensive programme yet," says Jim Berra, Princess Cruises’ chief commercial officer. "With enriched itineraries, broader destination choices, and more opportunities for guests to personalise their ideal 2027 summer getaway, this Northern Europe programme is more varied, more flexible, and more inspiring than ever.” Highlights include combinable routes from Southampton and Copenhagen, plus overnights in Stockholm and Cobh. New for Princess are turnarounds in Reykjavik and Helsinki, which is also introducing the 64‑day ‘Ultimate European Journey’ - its most immersive European voyage to date - and a 49‑day ‘Northern Europe Explorer’. In a statement the brand states that the scale, the overnights, and the flexibility to create multi‑segment ‘coolcation’ adventures truly set this programme apart. Debbie Holbrook, director - deployment & itinerary planning, Princess Cruises, comments on what drives these programmes: “Industry collaboration matters. Conferences such as the Cruise Europe Conference advance destination planning and sustainability, directly supporting our deployment strategy. Engaging with partners gives us insight into new infrastructure and shoreside experiences that guests will soon enjoy.   “Industry FAM trips have been invaluable: they put us on the ground with local stakeholders and sharpen our understanding of what our guests value at each port. That firsthand learning is reflected in the port‑intensive itineraries we’re bringing to Northern Europe.”   Gisli Johann Hallsson, harbour master Faxafloahafnir, says: “This is an important development for both Reykjavík and Iceland and is fully aligned with our long-term strategy. Welcoming another Princess ship turning in Reykjavik is a strong endorsement of the port, the destination, and the services we provide. As part of our continued efforts to support turnaround operations and improve the experience for both passengers and cruiselines, we are currently building a new, purpose-built cruise terminal in Reykjavik.” This is just one more step in the port’s aim to increase the percentage of turnaround calls to 70 percent of the total by 2030. Niamh McCarthy, managing director, Excursions Ireland: “It is truly exciting to see Princess’ continued commitment through the expansion and increase in port calls planned from 2027, with even greater growth anticipated in 2028. This expansion is a clear testament to strong demand, as well as to the high level of service and exceptional guest experience delivered throughout the British Isles.” As Princess’ shorex handler across the Republic and Northern Ireland, EI is actively creating and designing new tours with increased capacity while broadening its overall range of offerings. “The inclusion of overnight calls in 2027 means we can generate additional revenue through some excellent night time exclusive experiences,” adds McCarthy.   Gary Hall, commercial executive, Belfast Harbour, adds: “The announcement underlines the strength and longevity of the relationship between Princess Cruises and Belfast Harbour and reaffirms Belfast’s place within Princess Cruises’ Northern Europe deployment. Princess has been calling at Belfast since 2001… and has played an important role in the development of Belfast as a cruise destination. “Around one in three cruise passengers who have ever visited Belfast have arrived on a Princess vessel, highlighting the scale of their contribution. Cruise tourism now delivers close to £25 million (€28.9 million) annually to the Northern Ireland economy. Continued commitment from global cruise brands such as Princess Cruises ensures these benefits are sustained and that Belfast remains firmly positioned as a key port of call in Northern Europe.” When it comes to the Baltic, Sirle Arro, head of marketing & communication at the Port of Tallinn speaks for the region when she says: “Princess Cruises’ decision to deploy additional capacity and introduce the larger Regal Princess to the Baltic Sea region in 2027 clearly demonstrates that our region is once again emerging as one of the most attractive cruise destinations in the world. Already in 2025, we saw a strong rebound in demand, with the number of cruise passengers from the United States doubling year-on-year. This growth has not gone unnoticed, and leading American cruiselines are keen to be part of a region with such strong long-term potential.” Holbrook concludes: “We’re expanding because interest for Northern Europe travel continues to grow, and ports are investing in the future. Our guests love Northern Europe and our 2027 programme delivers it.”

15/01/2026

Portsmouth delivers Sea Change and sustainability

After signing the Portsmouth Green Partnership Charter in November 2022, delivering the Sea Change project reaffirms the port’s commitment to play its part in a sustainable future for the city and to reduce its impact on the local community. This project will design, build and operate a shore power system across the three busiest berths at Portsmouth International Port. “Sea Change has the potential to revolutionise the UK’s maritime sector, and further establish Portsmouth International Port’s [PIP]reputation as a living laboratory of green technology with industry-leading sustainability credentials,” explains Andrew Williamson, head of cruise & ferry, PIP. Brittany Ferries is already running two new LNG-electric hybrid ships, shore power-ready ships to and from the port. With shore power available at the port, they will be able to charge their batteries and run on battery power when manoeuvring through Portsmouth harbour, improving air quality and supporting the industry-wide shift to zero-emission shipping. Providing shore power will reduce harmful emissions and improve air quality around the port. PIP estimates that the system will avoid up to 20,000 tonnes of CO2e per annum from 2027, the equivalent to the annual carbon footprint of around 2,500 UK households or making 11,111 round trips by plane from London to New York.  When it comes to cruiseships, onshore power supply will be available at berth 2, with a mobile cable management system enabling connections for all shapes and sizes. A consortium of academics, marine specialists and some of the UK’s most exciting technology SMEs have been brought together alongside Portsmouth International Port and Brittany Ferries to deliver the project. Sea Change has great potential, and project partners plan to share learnings and collaborate with ferry ports across the UK to encourage further emissions reduction. This will help the industry reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by or around 2050, a target declared by the International Maritime Organisation. Alongside this, the project will help develop the necessary skills for green shipping and infrastructure, design, manufacturing and maintenance capability. Working alongside the Solent’s industry clusters, it will support education initiatives and help grow skills across the Solent, safeguard existing jobs through upskilling and create new high-skill opportunities, driving growth and investment across the region. Sea Change is part of the Zero Emissions Vessels and Infrastructure competition (ZEVI), which was announced in February 2023, funded by UK Government and delivered in partnership with Innovate UK. This year marks 50 years since Portsmouth City Council created the international port in 1976. Celebrations will begin with a launch event in Westminster presenting the latest economic impact report. On Saturday 13 June the port will host an open day so residents can see behind the scenes and find more out about all the activities at their port. Councillor Steve Pitt, leader of Portsmouth City Council, said: “The port is widely regarded as the UK’s most successful local authority owned port, the anniversary offers the opportunity to celebrate the progress and the important role it plays as a city-owned port on a local, national and international level. “The 50th anniversary year is a chance to put the spotlight and showcase roles at the port, highlighting the range of varied and interesting positions in the maritime industry as a future career for young people. Increasing local knowledge of what happens at the port, and an understanding of how it contributes to the city, is extremely valuable to the port to maintain our licence to operate from our most important stakeholders, our community.” 2026 also marks Portsmouth’s centenary, with many events and celebratory moments taking place to mark 100 years of city status. The port will be featuring in the city’s Wild Art Trail, which involves specially-commissioned sculptured lions positioned across the city, one of which is in the terminal building.

15/01/2026

Skjolden: growth but not without planning

Skjolden has gone from 22 calls in 2024 to 44 this year with bookings through into 2032. This year call numbers remain the same, but passenger numbers will be up by 7,000 due to the size of the ships. Understanding the pitfalls of growing too fast, privately-owned Skjolden Port is putting in place all that it needs to make sure it can deliver on its promises. This includes investment in port facilities, transport, guides and shore excursions. Christian Hellumsand was taken on as head of shore excursions & logistics at the port in April 2025. His role and passion is to ensure that cruise in this western Norwegian port is delivered well for both the cruiselines and the community. He says: “It is very nice to see this growing interest in Skjolden. We want to grow but we want to grow healthily. When we get trust from our clients, we want to deliver the product and the service.” To this end local entrepreneur, Oddvar Roysi, is not only investing in the port facilities and nearby restaurant and service station but is also actively involved in the building and delivery thereof. A 900m walk will bring passengers to the new restaurant and bar, The Wharf House, in one of the oldest buildings in the town, which is next door to a new service station being fitted with 16 toilets, a large souvenir store and outdoor serving area. Although the 127.5m pier (with no limitations to ship size) remains the same length, it has been widened to provide improved logistics for the passengers. In addition a part of the pier in front of the terminal will be filled in to provide space for a new market place that passengers can access as they enter/exit the terminal. At the northern end of the pier, extra parking will be available for buses to take passengers directly on to shore excursions. In addition, a sheltered area will be built early this year to protect passengers who may be waiting in poor weather. These will be within the port perimeter and directly connected to tours bought on board, but co coordinated with Skjolden Explore. This local guide company, delivering shorex for all tour operators, goes into operation for the first time this year. Local dispatch manager, Christian Hellumsand, will not only coordinate guides but timed meeting points and turn-times to ensure calls run smoothly. The idea is to have one command chain from ‘pier to peaks’, whilst preserving a strict local-vendor policy. To address the number of guides available to cater to the increase in passengers, Hellumsand says there has been a big push to recruit more with 30 lined up to join this year. These are made up from a combination of locals and those studying at the nearby mountaineering school. Supplying buses has also been a problem in the past, with some being sourced in southern Norway which is up to nine hours’ drive away. This is all set to change as Hellumsand explains: “Together with our investor we have decided to make our own bus company. We have bought 10 buses for about 45 passengers each, but also three smaller buses to allow us to create new tours.” The latter are small enough to legally access the Tindevegen Mountain Road and hence go over the mountains to neighbouring Ardal, providing a unique chance to see the mountains by road one way and the fjords by catamaran on the other. These buses will also be able to take passengers to the Unesco World Heritage Urnes Stave Church. When it comes to shorex a new and rebranded manual has been been put together by the locals and, new for this year, passengers will be able to meet ‘The last Viking’, death-diving icon, Ken Stornes. He is moving to Skjolden with his ship, Maria Suden, and sidekick, David R Berg/‘Swamp man’, to become a symbol of Skjolden, meeting and greeting, helping tie the bowlines in full Viking regalia and also hosting a family-friendly Viking training and saga experience. Skjolden is setting itself up to be a force on the cruise map, understanding that this comes not with numbers but service and product delivery.