Published on October 22, 2025
Foyle Port has wrapped up a highly successful 2025 cruise season, bringing caller momentum to tourism successful Derry-Londonderry and nan stunning Lough Foyle region. This year, a singular 46% summation successful cruise vessel visits has helped raise nan floor plan of these historical locations arsenic cardinal tourer destinations.
A full of 19 cruise ships docked astatine Greencastle and Lisahally, bringing a assortment of vessels to nan region. These ships were from 11 different cruise lines, including renowned luxury operators for illustration Regent Seven Seas, Azamara, Silversea, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, and Phoenix Reisen. Expedition lines specified arsenic Mystic Cruises, AE Expeditions, Exploris Expeditions, and Noble Caledonia besides made notable contributions to nan surge successful tourism.
Rising Numbers of Passengers
The 2025 play attracted astir 7,000 passengers and crew. Of these, 48% came from nan United States, contributing importantly to nan maturation successful section tourism. Other salient nationalities included Germany (20%), nan United Kingdom (13%), France (5%), and Canada (4%). The influx of world visitors has sparked excitement successful nan section tourism industry, particularly arsenic 5 inaugural vessel calls were made during nan season. Among nan caller arrivals was Windstar Cruises’ Star Legend, making its first-ever sojourn to nan region.
Derry-Londonderry and Lough Foyle’s Growing Reputation
Bill McCann, Foyle Port’s Harbour Master, expressed awesome restitution pinch nan 2025 cruise season’s results. He highlighted nan port’s rising position arsenic an basal gateway for cruise tourism successful nan North-West. According to McCann, nan area’s unsocial location makes it an perfect motorboat constituent for exploring nan historical metropolis of Derry-Londonderry and nan breathtaking coastlines that situation Lough Foyle.
Foyle Port has seen a dependable summation successful cruise traffic, and this year’s results further cement nan region’s position arsenic a must-visit destination. The area’s rich | history, mixed pinch its earthy beauty, draws visitors from astir nan globe. As much cruise lines admit nan imaginable of this region, it is expected that early seasons will proceed to spot maturation successful some cruise postulation and wide tourism numbers.
A Bright Future for Cruise Tourism
This surge successful cruise vessel visits brings much than conscionable numbers; it signifies a displacement toward greater tourism development. With expanding world attention, some Greencastle and Lisahally are now well-positioned to use from nan ongoing maturation successful cruise tourism. The important emergence successful visitors offers promising prospects for section businesses, including hospitality, retail, and guided tours, arsenic good arsenic further finance successful nan region’s tourism infrastructure.
Moreover, nan affirmative outcomes of nan 2025 play align pinch wider efforts to grow tourism successful Northern Ireland. The region’s strategical location, surrounded by breathtaking coastlines and rich | humanities landmarks, is expected to proceed attracting a divers scope of travelers. Local tourism authorities are moving difficult to beforehand Derry-Londonderry and Lough Foyle arsenic cardinal destinations, pinch nan cruise assemblage serving arsenic a superior driver of this growth.
The Power of Cruise Tourism successful Northern Ireland
Foyle Port’s record-breaking 2025 cruise play is much than conscionable a communicative of success; it represents a turning constituent for nan early of tourism successful Derry-Londonderry and nan surrounding areas. The influx of world cruise passengers has opened caller doors for section businesses and tourism operators, creating caller opportunities for economical growth.
This 46% surge successful cruise vessel visits signals nan opening of a caller section successful nan region’s tourism development. With continued support and investment, Foyle Port is group to play a cardinal domiciled successful drafting world travelers to this beautiful portion of Northern Ireland.