Belfast Harbor Celebrates 1,500th Cruise Ship Visit

Belfast Harbor reached an important milestone this week as it welcomed its 1,500th cruise ship, the Regal Princess, into port. The event was marked by a vibrant celebration aboard the vessel, featuring traditional Irish music, dancing, and a ceremonial cake-cutting to commemorate the occasion.

During the festivities, Belfast Harbor officials exchanged gifts with Captain Aldo Traverso and his crew. The Regal Princess has become a familiar presence in Belfast, having now made 32 visits since 2015, including five already this year. Princess Cruises, which operates the ship, is a major contributor to Northern Ireland’s cruise tourism, bringing in nearly one-third of all cruise passengers arriving by sea.

Captain Traverso reflected on the achievement, saying: “It’s an honour for Regal Princess to be a part of this significant milestone at Belfast Harbour. Visiting this vibrant city has always been met with warmth and hospitality, making it a favourite stop for our guests on their British Isles voyage.”

Since hosting its first cruise ship in 1996, Belfast’s cruise industry has grown considerably, now generating an estimated £25 million annually for the local economy. Almost 2.5 million cruise passengers have passed through Belfast Harbor to date. Looking ahead, the 2025 season is set to be a record-breaker, with 148 cruise calls planned from 58 ships representing 31 different cruise lines — including 10 vessels making their debut.

Michael Robinson, Port Director at Belfast Harbor, credited the achievement to long-term planning and collaboration. “Reaching this milestone is a fantastic achievement,” he said. “The cruise sector brings significant numbers of people to the city, directly supporting local tourism businesses and boosting the international profile of Northern Ireland. We’re committed to our largest-ever port investment to facilitate even more growth.”

Mary Jo McCanny, Director of Visitor Experience at Visit Belfast, shared the excitement: “This is a major milestone that reflects just how far the city has come as a cruise destination. Cruise Belfast has helped establish Belfast as a welcoming and high-quality port of call, with strong partnerships and exceptional visitor experiences.”

Belfast Harbor also took to social media to mark the occasion, thanking partners and cruise operators while sharing photos from the day. A post from the port read: “We had a great time meeting today’s passengers and thanking them for making Belfast part of their journey. We can’t wait to see what the rest of the 2025 season brings.”