Foyle Port reports record 2026 cruise season
The trust-owned harbour estimates that nearly 19,000 passengers and crew generated more than £1.1 million in economic impact.
Foyle Port said 22 cruise ships called during its 2026 season, including six first-time visits involving brands such as Ponant, Windstar and Oceania Cruises. The initial schedule covered 22 calls across 15 cruise lines, while the port’s final account described the visiting ships as coming from five cruise lines.
Close to 19,000 passengers and crew visited during the year, according to the port. That total was 32% above the previous record set in 2023. The cruise season also ran for more than a month longer than in 2025, with vessels arriving from Europe and North America.
Nieuw Statendam, operated by Holland America Line, became the largest vessel to visit Lough Foyle. Its call also produced the highest single-day number of passengers and crew handled by the port.
The season included a two-ship day on Aug. 28, when Hebridean Sky docked at Fort Goerge and Seven Seas Voyager returned to Greencastle harbour.
Foyle Port expects further growth in 2027, when it says 36 ships carrying a projected 25,000 passengers are set to visit.