Cruise Europe
Cruise Europe
09/15/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/15/2026 04:47
Foyle Port Set to Conclude Record-Breaking 2026 Cruise Season
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.
Foyle Port had scheduled a record 22 cruise ship calls across 15 different cruise lines, including six first-time visits, among them Ponant, Windstar and Oceania Cruises.
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 Foyle Port's tender port in Greencastle, the commercial port at Lisahally, or berthing alongside at Fort George in the city centre of Derry-Londonderry.
Foyle Port is on course to build on this year's successful cruise season, with 2027 set to bring 36 ships to the Port with 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.
"Welcoming close to 19,000 international visitors and generating over £1.1m in economic impact is a clear indication of the growing confidence the cruise industry has in this destination and in the port's capacity to accommodate vessels of increasing scale.
"We look forward to building on the momentum of this year's success, with the 2027 cruise season set to bring 36 ships to Foyle Port with 25,000 passengers."
John G. McLaughlin, Chief Executive of Donegal County Council, commented:
"This latest cruise season at Foyle Port has delivered significant benefits for the North West, bringing thousands of international visitors directly into our hospitality, retail and tourism sectors and generating over a million euros in economic impact.
"This sustained growth in cruise tourism has a real, measurable impact on the local economy, and it is a testament to the work being done to position the North West as a destination of choice."
Foyle Port remains committed to growing the North West's reputation as a leading cruise destination, working closely with industry partners, tourism bodies and the wider business community to ensure the region continues to benefit from this growing sector.
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.
Foyle Port had scheduled a record 22 cruise ship calls across 15 different cruise lines, including six first-time visits, among them Ponant, Windstar and Oceania Cruises.
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 Foyle Port's tender port in Greencastle, the commercial port at Lisahally, or berthing alongside at Fort George in the city centre of Derry-Londonderry.
Foyle Port is on course to build on this year's successful cruise season, with 2027 set to bring 36 ships to the Port with 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.
"Welcoming close to 19,000 international visitors and generating over £1.1m in economic impact is a clear indication of the growing confidence the cruise industry has in this destination and in the port's capacity to accommodate vessels of increasing scale.
"We look forward to building on the momentum of this year's success, with the 2027 cruise season set to bring 36 ships to Foyle Port with 25,000 passengers."
John G. McLaughlin, Chief Executive of Donegal County Council, commented:
"This latest cruise season at Foyle Port has delivered significant benefits for the North West, bringing thousands of international visitors directly into our hospitality, retail and tourism sectors and generating over a million euros in economic impact.
"This sustained growth in cruise tourism has a real, measurable impact on the local economy, and it is a testament to the work being done to position the North West as a destination of choice."
Foyle Port remains committed to growing the North West's reputation as a leading cruise destination, working closely with industry partners, tourism bodies and the wider business community to ensure the region continues to benefit from this growing sector.
Cruise Europe published this content on September 15, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on September 15, 2026 at 10:47 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]