The first cruise ship to arrive in Belfast this year has marked the start of a busy year for the industry and the return of a key tourism revenue stream for the city.
The Viking Venus was due to draw alongside the cruise terminal today (Friday) carrying some 900 passengers and the first of 130 ships scheduled to call this year. Built only last year, the ship is travelling from London to Bergen, Norway, stopping off at a number of English, Irish and Scottish ports on the way.
Although slightly down on the 146 ships which visited Belfast in 2019, the more healthy schedule is a welcome return for a sector which was hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic. During 2020, lockdown restrictions brought the sector to a halt while in 2021 a total of 72 ships visited the city.
The lineup is made up of 50 different vessels from 33 cruise lines bringing some 340,000 visitors to Northern Ireland.
Of note, 18 of the vessels will be calling in Belfast for the first time including ‘Ambassador Ambience,’ from new British cruise line, Ambassador, and Princess Cruises calling with its ships Enchanted Princess & Island Princess.
“Following two challenging years for tourism, the team at Belfast Harbour is thrilled to have 130 cruise vessels booked for arrival at our Port in 2022,” Michael Robinson, Belfast Harbour’s Port Director, said. “This busy cruise schedule signals an increase in customer confidence in travel and will be a welcome economic boost to the local tourism industry.
“The team is also looking forward to welcoming 18 ships for their inaugural call to these shores, which will further enhance Belfast’s and the wider region’s reputation as a must-visit cruise destination.”
Mary Jo McCanny, Director of Visitor Servicing at Visit Belfast, said the city was well placed to resume the growth of the sector as Covid-19 restrictions ease around the world.
“The partnership between Belfast Harbour and Visit Belfast and on-going support from Tourism NI enables us to provide both shore-side and on-board visitor information services, ensuring a first-class welcome is available to passengers as soon as they arrive in Belfast,” she said. “The Visitor Services team is looking forward to a busy cruise season welcoming visitors from around the world and we will continue to work with our tourism partners and cruise ground handlers in driving much needed business to visitor attractions and experience providers right across Northern Ireland and support the rebuilding of our tourism economy.”
