Record-Breaking
2026 Foyle Cruise Season
16.09.26
FOYLE Port is set to
conclude its most successful cruise season to date, with
a record number of scheduled cruise calls and passenger
volumes in 2026. With ships arriving from across Europe
and North America and the season extended by more than a
month compared to 2025, the results reflect sustained
growth in demand for Ireland’s North West.
In total, the 2026 season is to bring close to 19,000
passengers and crew to the region, generating an
economic impact of over £1.1 million. Foyle Port has
also reported a 32% increase in passenger numbers
against a previous high in 2023, with passengers
visiting the region spanning across Europe, North
America and Asia.
There was a record 22 cruise ship calls across 15
different cruise lines, including six first-time visits,
among them Ponant, Windstar and Oceania Cruises. |
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Nieuw Statendam anchored
off Greencastle on 6th June 2026 |
A key highlight of the
season was the arrival of Nieuw Statendam, operated by
Holland America Line, which became the largest ship ever
to visit Lough Foyle and brought the highest volume of
passengers and crew welcomed by the port in a single
day. The season also saw a double ship day on 28 August,
with Hebridean Sky docking in Fort Goerge joined by a
return visit from Seven Seas Voyager at Greencastle
harbour.
Depending on ship size and tidal conditions, vessels
were welcomed either at the tender port in Greencastle,
the commercial port at Lisahally, or berthing alongside
at Fort George in the city centre of Derry. |
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Seven Seas Voyager
anchored off Greencastle on 28th August 2026 |
The 2027 Cruise Season is
set to to build on this year’s success and will bring 36
ships to the Foyle with over 25,000 passengers.
Captain Bill McCann, Harbour Master and Operations
Director at Foyle Port, said: “The 2026 cruise season
has been the most successful in Foyle Port's history,
both in terms of the number of calls scheduled and the
calibre of cruise lines choosing to include the North
West in their itineraries." |
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