Belfast Harbour has quietly achieved a noteworthy milestone, welcoming its 1,500th cruise ship arrival this week as the Regal Princess glided into port. Aboard the vessel, dignitaries observed a modest ceremony steeped in maritime tradition: Irish melodies filled the air, dancers performed, and a commemorative cake was cut to mark the auspicious occasion.
Harbour officials presented tokens of appreciation to Captain Aldo Traverso and his crew. The Regal Princess, now a well-known visitor, marked its 32nd call since 2015 and its 5th visit of 2025. Princess Cruises alone has carried nearly a third of all cruise-going passengers to Northern Ireland. Captain Traverso conveyed his pride that his ship had played its part in the milestone, noting that their guests have consistently received a warm welcome in Belfast, making the city a favored stop on British Isles itineraries.
Cruising into Belfast Harbour began in 1996, and over the years the industry has flourished. Today, the cruise sector brings in roughly GBP 25 million annually to the local economy, and some 2.5 million passengers have entered Northern Ireland via the port. The year 2025 holds particular promise: plans include 148 scheduled cruise calls by 58 vessels from 31 lines, among them ten maiden visits.
Northern Ireland’s port leadership views this achievement as the fruit of deliberate strategy and cooperative effort. The Port Director described the landmark as a testament to substantial planning and expressed a steadfast commitment to further investment—now the most ambitious in the port’s history—to foster continued maritime growth. Likewise, the director of Belfast’s visitor experience praised the city’s evolution into a renowned cruise destination, citing strong partnerships and an increasing number of enriching visitor offerings.
Belfast Harbour later shared highlights of the celebration on social media, extending gratitude to passengers, partners, and cruise lines. In its message, the port expressed enthusiasm for the season ahead, affirming its anticipation for the remainder of 2025’s cruise calendar.