Belfast welcomes 2 millionth cruise visitor to NI
Last updated 9th May 2023
Belfast has welcomed its two millionth cruise ship visitor today, Lea Goodsell, who arrived this afternoon on board the Norwegian Dawn.
Belfast has seen a total of 1,161 cruise ship calls by vessels from 75 different cruise lines to date, representing a significant contribution to the growing tourism economy in Northern Ireland.
Between March and October this year, 61 different vessels will dock at the port. The 165 calls expected this season represents a 15% increase on the previous record set in 2019.
There will also be 15 ships calling to Belfast for the first time in 2023, including Disney Dream, Norwegian Prima and MSC Preziosa.
Michael Robinson, Port Director of Belfast Harbour, said Belfast is now well and truly on the radar for international cruise operators when setting their schedules.
“The arrival of the two millionth cruise visitor to Belfast Harbour is a significant milestone for the cruise industry in Northern Ireland. This year is expected to be a record year for the Port with 165 calls from 34 different cruise lines, carrying more than a quarter of a million passengers.
“Cruise visitors make an important contribution to the tourism industry in Northern Ireland bringing tourists from across the world for day trips to attractions across the region.”
Mary Jo McCanny, Director of Visitor Servicing at Visit Belfast, said: “The Visitor Servicing teams work tirelessly to provide a first-class reception for every visitor who arrives into Belfast, showcasing the very best of the city and the wide range of quality tourist experiences on offer.
“Belfast has built a strong reputation as a welcoming and exciting cruise destination and that is something we hope to continue for years to come.”
Naomi Waite, Tourism NI’s Director of Marketing added: “The millions of pounds of investment in our tourism infrastructure and visitor experiences in recent years has ensured Belfast and Northern Ireland are at the forefront of the cruise offering. With new attractions such as the re-imagined Titanic Belfast, Titanic Distillers and the Game of Thrones Studio Tour, we can offer new and exciting itineraries to compete within a highly competitive marketplace, which is crucial to continue to attract strong visitor numbers.
“With an expected record year for the 2023 cruise season, the boost in cruise ship visitors is sure to make for a fantastic year for the Northern Ireland tourism industry.”
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