Foyle Port
celebrates successful cruise season
02.10.24
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THE 2024 cruise season
wrapped up on Sunday 15th September, marking the end of
a successful period in Foyle Port's 170th year of
operations. The last ship to depart was Hebridean
Princess, concluding a season that saw over 10,000
passengers and crew visit the region, bringing
significant financial benefits to the local community. |
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The Saga Spirit of
Adventure anchored off Greencastle on 16th May 2024. |
Over half of the cruise
guests arriving were from the United States with the
remainder including visitors from the United Kingdom
(22%), Germany (8%), Canada (6%) and Australia (5%),
highlighting the destination’s international appeal.
Running from May to September, the season saw cruise
ships divided between the berth at Lisahally and the
tender port of Greencastle, where larger vessels anchor.
The largest ship of the season was the 294-meter-long
Norwegian Dawn, with a gross tonnage of 92,250. This
vessel, along with the Norwegian Star, now holds the
record for the largest ships to enter Lough Foyle. |
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The Norwegian Dawn
anchored off Greencastle on 19th August 2024. |
The Port experienced a
surge in maiden calls this year, welcoming six ships for
their first visits, including ships from Saga, Phoenix
Reisen, Silversea, Norwegian Cruise Line and two ships
from Azamara.
Captain Bill McCann, Harbour Master & Operations
Director at Foyle Port, expressed his satisfaction with
the success of the cruise season, noting the Port’s
commitment to fostering growth. He said, “Cruise is one
of the fastest growing sectors of tourism and we are
committed to being part of that expansion. Cruises to
the British Isles are increasing in demand and we are
projecting a 50% rise in cruise calls in 2025 from
pre-pandemic levels.” |
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Plaque Exchange onboard
Silversea Silver Spirit inaugural call on 20th July
2024. Captain Ivo Botica, Master
Silversea Cruises; John G McLaughlin, Chief Executive,
Donegal County Council; Rebecca McLaughlin, Marketing Go
Visit Inishowen; Monica Roddy, Visitor Experience Go
Visit Inishowen; Cathaoirleach Cllr Niamh Kennedy,
Donegal County Council; Luis de Sousa Marques Hotel
Director Silversea Cruises; Louise Denvir, Cruise
Marketing Executive Foyle Port; Matthew Doherty,
Business Development Officer Visit Derry. |
John G. McLaughlin, Chief
Executive of Donegal County Council added, “I am
delighted to congratulate Foyle Port on their success in
attracting cruise tourism to the North West region in
2024. The cruise industry is continuing to generate
significant income and create a range of job
opportunities with the benefits of these cruise visits
extending beyond the immediate tourism sector.
We were delighted to personally welcome a number of
these ships on their inaugural visits, giving us an
opportunity to showcase Donegal and the North West
region’s outstanding natural, unspoilt beauty and look
forward to many of the visitors returning to our region
in the future. With such a successful 2024 cruise season
for Foyle Port, I have no doubt they will continue to
build on their success for the years ahead.” |
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