Belfast Harbour marked a major milestone this week with the 1,500th cruise call, marked by the arrival of the Regal Princess. The occasion was celebrated with a festive onboard ceremony, complete with traditional Irish music, dancing, and a cake-cutting event to honor the milestone.
Representatives from Belfast Harbour exchanged gifts with Captain Aldo Traverso and the crew of the Regal Princess that has become a familiar sight in Belfast. This visit marked the ship’s 32nd call to the port since 2015, and its fifth visit in 2025 alone. In fact, Princess Cruises accounts for nearly one-third of all cruise passengers who have visited Northern Ireland by sea.
Captain Traverso expressed his pride in being part of the historic moment, stating: “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 call in 1996, Belfast’s cruise sector has expanded dramatically, now contributing approximately £25 million annually to the local economy. To date, nearly 2.5 million cruise passengers have visited Northern Ireland via Belfast Harbour, and the future looks even brighter: in 2025, the port is set to welcome 148 cruise calls by 58 ships representing 31 different lines, including 10 first-time visitors.
Michael Robinson, Port Director at Belfast Harbour, said the moment reflects both strategic planning and collaboration. “Reaching this milestone is a fantastic achievement,” he noted. “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, echoed the enthusiasm: “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 Harbour also shared the celebration with followers on social media, highlighting the success of the day and extending thanks to its partners and cruise lines. “We had a great time meeting today’s passengers and thanking them for making Belfast part of their journey,” the post read. “We can’t wait to see what the rest of the 2025 season brings.”
