Foyle Port Set for a Record-Breaking Cruise Season

30/03/2026

Foyle Port Set for a Record-Breaking Cruise Season

Foyle Port is preparing to welcome its largest ever cruise programme with 22 calls from 15 cruise lines scheduled to visit Ireland’s North West in 2026. The record season is expected to bring an estimated 15,800 international visitors to the region, delivering significant economic benefits to local visitor attractions, hospitality providers, retail and transport companies. This year’s scheduled calls are expected to run from April until September, more than a month longer than the 2025 cruise season. Among the visiting vessels will be first-time visits from Ponant and Nicko Cruises, alongside several returning cruise partners who continue to include Foyle Port in their itineraries. One of the highlights of the season will be the scheduled arrival of Nieuw Statendam, operated by Holland America Line. She will be the largest ship to ever visit Lough Foyle and will bring the highest volume of passengers and crew the port has welcomed in a single day. On 28 August, the port will also host a double ship day, with frequent caller Hebridean Sky joined by a return visit from Seven Seas Voyager. The majority of the liners will anchor at the tender port of Greencastle, with some smaller vessels scheduled for berthing alongside at Lisahally and Fort George in the city centre. Captain Bill McCann, Harbour Master & Operations Director, Foyle Port said, “We are very much looking forward to welcoming both new and returning cruise lines this year in what is set to be our busiest season to date. We expect eight first-time calls, including the brand-new luxury ship from Explora Journeys, Explora III, which is scheduled to make its debut visit to the island of Ireland here in the North West on 6th June. The increase in cruise calls reinforces the region’s growing appeal among itinerary planners, which we have been actively promoting over the years. The destination makes for a key stop among itineraries particularly around Ireland, Britain and Scandinavia.” Louise Denvir, Cruise Marketing Executive, Foyle Port added, “We have been working closely with strategic partners, including local tourism organisations, shore excursion companies and councils across both jurisdictions to ensure visitors experience the very best of the region. Cruise visitors have a unique opportunity to discover the blend of historic city culture in Derry-Londonderry, alongside the chance to explore the stunning rural highlights in counties Donegal, Antrim and Tyrone, creating a well-rounded and memorable experience for international visitors. Our hope is that cruise guests leave with a real taste of the region and are inspired to return in the future for longer, overnight stays.” The first cruise ship, Le Lapérouse, is scheduled to anchor in Greencastle on 16th April. To view the full cruise schedule, visit www.foyleport.com/cruise-and-leisure

20/10/2025

Strong 2025 Cruise Season Highlights Foyle Port’s Rising International Profile

Foyle Port has wrapped up a highly successful 2025 cruise season, welcoming 19 cruise ship calls – a 46% increase on the previous year, and attracting a diverse range of international visitors to the North West region. This year’s cruise calendar featured ships from 11 different cruise lines, including world-leading luxury operators Regent Seven Seas, Azamara, Silversea, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, and Phoenix Reisen, alongside renowned expedition lines such as Mystic Cruises, AE Expeditions, Exploris Expeditions and Noble Caledonia. The season included five inaugural calls and a first-ever visit from luxury line Windstar Cruises, whose ship Star Legend made its debut at the port. In total, the 2025 season brought 6,930 passengers and crew to the region. Of the 3,940 passengers, nearly half were from the United States (48%), followed by Germany (20%), the United Kingdom (13%), France (5%) and Canada (4%). Depending on ship size and tidal conditions, vessels were welcomed either at the tender port in Greencastle or the commercial port at Lisahally. Bill McCann, Harbour Master and Operations Director at Foyle Port commented, “We are delighted with how the season has gone this year. The increase in calls and the range of visitors highlight Foyle Port’s growing reputation as a key gateway for cruise tourism in the North West. We look forward to building on this success and continuing to showcase our region’s unique location as the gateway to the historic city of Derry-Londonderry and two of the world’s most iconic coastal routes, the Wild Atlantic Way and the Causeway Coast.” The success of the 2025 season underscores Foyle Port’s commitment to strengthening the region’s tourism profile and supporting local economic growth through the cruise industry. As part of its long-term strategy to grow this sector, Foyle Port actively engages with the global cruise market, attending major trade shows in Miami and Hamburg to meet with both existing and prospective cruise clients. The Port is also an active member of Cruise Ireland, a marketing organisation dedicated to promoting the island on a global scale. In September, Cruise Ireland and Cruise Britain jointly won “Destination of the Year” at the prestigious Seatrade Cruise Awards. Further cementing its reputation, the Port hosted a high-profile familiarisation trip in September for 12 cruise line representatives from the US and Europe. The visit included tours of the commercial port at Lisahally and the tender port at Greencastle, along with a tailored itinerary designed to showcase the destination and the range of tourism products available to visiting cruise guests. The trip formed part of a wider tour of Ireland hosted by Cruise Ireland in partnership with Excursions Ireland. Niamh McCarthy, Managing Director of Excursions Ireland said, “Working with Foyle Port and the wider North West region has been an absolute pleasure and this past season was no different. This progressive, forward-thinking port is not only strategically located on the stunning North West coast, but also acts as a gateway to a region steeped in incredible history, culture, and natural beauty.” She added, “The recent showcase proved to be a tremendous success. Visiting cruise line executives were thoroughly impressed with Derry and the surrounding areas — so much so that several have already committed to increasing cruise calls to the region in upcoming seasons. It was especially rewarding for our valued clients to explore this area in depth, as it’s not always first to paper when planning itineraries. That perception is changing. This region deserves more footfall, and it's clear they are both eager and ready to welcome more visitors.”

12/05/2025

Adventure Sets Sail at Foyle Port as the 2025 Cruise Season Begins

Foyle Port welcomed its first cruise ship of the 2025 season yesterday, Sunday 11th May, as the state-of-the-art expedition vessel World Explorer arrived at Lisahally. Her visit marks the start of what is set to be a positive and exciting cruise season for the region. Visiting as part of a 10-day “All Ireland Cruise” itinerary, World Explorer is circumnavigating the island, having departed from Nantes, France and concluding her journey in Zeebrugge, Belgium. Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) reports that expedition and exploration are the fastest-growing sectors of cruise tourism, a trend that is clearly reflected in the calls to Foyle Port with 65% of visiting cruise ships classed as luxury expedition vessels. “These expedition calls are a strong endorsement of the unique experiences our region provides,” said Captain Bill McCann, Harbour Master & Operations Director at Foyle Port. “We are seeing growing interest from luxury operators who are seeking authentic, immersive experiences for their guests — something our destination delivers in abundance. From breathtaking coastal scenery to UNESCO world heritage sites, we are proud to be a gateway to some of the most iconic places to visit on the island of Ireland.” Expedition ships are typically smaller, more agile vessels designed to access remote locations. They offer adventure-rich itineraries, educational programming with regional experts, and often carry Zodiac landing craft for off-ship exploration. They combine luxury and learning, with an increasing focus on sustainability. World Explorer, chartered from Mystic Cruises by Belgium-based tour operators Rivages du Monde, is a leading example — powered by two cutting-edge Rolls Royce hybrid-electric engines that significantly reduce emissions and environmental impact. The five-star vessel docked at Lisahally while her 111 guests maximised their time in the destination by exploring Counties Derry-Londonderry, Antrim and Donegal. Excursions included visits to the oldest distillery in the world, Old Bushmills Distillery, a guided walk of Derry’s famous City Walls, and journeyed to the ancient stone fort, Grianán of Aileach in Donegal. Nick Robshaw, Director of Shore Excursions at European Cruise Services, said “It’s such a delight to be working with World Explorer and Foyle Port once again in 2025. The fact that the ship returns every year just shows the warmth of the welcome and quality of passenger experiences on offer. Our local suppliers have made every effort to ensure that the passengers have had a great time on their excursions to Derry City Centre and Walls, Grianán of Aileach as well as the Causeway Coast and Bushmills Distillery.” Following World Explorer’s call, Foyle Port will welcome two additional luxury expedition ships making their inaugural visits to the region this month. On 19th May, Silversea Cruise’s Silver Endeavour will dock at Lisahally and deploy Zodiacs to transfer guests directly to the city centre via the river — a unique and immersive arrival experience. Then, on 24th May, Exploris One from the French operator, Exploris Expeditions will tender guests ashore at Magilligan Point, offering another distinctive entry point to the region.