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04/12/2019
Belfast Harbour Named Best Cruise Port
Following a record year for cruise tourism to Northern Ireland, Belfast Harbour has been named the best port of call in the UK and Ireland for cruise ships.
The accolade was awarded by a global panel of cruise experts as part of the 2019 Cruise Critic Editors' Pick Awards.
It follows a record-breaking 2019 cruise season for the city with 146 cruise calls and 280,000 visitors. This year's season also saw the first dedicated cruise terminal open on the island following a £500,000 investment by Belfast Harbour and Tourism NI.
The welcome facility, which now includes a Visitor Information Centre managed by Visit Belfast also boasts new facilities for coaches and taxis, and an easily accessible deep water berth to accommodate larger cruise ships. The judges were impressed by the terminal, and praised its location for providing "easy access to the city's world-class attractions, such as Titanic Belfast in the city's famous Titanic Quarter".
Joe O'Neill, CEO of Belfast Harbour, welcomed the accolade. He said: "Considering the quality of other destinations in the UK and Ireland, we're delighted to win the award.
"Cruise tourism fits with Belfast Harbour's wider commitment to support the city's development through the creation of an iconic waterfront for Belfast. A successful cruise tourism sector will encourage new tourist and leisure projects, and further enhance Belfast's reputation as a leading destination including within the cruise market."
Gerry Lennon, Chief Executive of Visit Belfast added: "In the 20 years since Visit Belfast was established, we have worked with Belfast Harbour to attract cruise visitors to the city and region, and the result has been an enormous increase in the number of visitors and ships coming to the city. In total, Cruise Belfast has brought 784 ships to the city since 1999, and in the last five years alone, cruise visitor numbers have increased by 135%.
"Cruise is now a key contributor to Belfast's tourism economy, and that is down to investment in infrastructure, and the commitment of our tourism industry partners to providing more and better products for visitors to enjoy while they are here."
The awards are based on Cruise Critic editors' impartial cruise expertise which draws upon first-hand experiences and industry knowledge.
Adam Coulter, UK Managing Editor of Cruise Critic said Northern Ireland has capitalised on the growing desire for experiential holidays, especially amongst younger travellers.
"There is more choice than ever before in ocean, river and expedition cruises as a result of an array of exciting new ships launched this year and next. Whether you are cruising as a multi-generational family, a couple or solo, there really is a cruise for everyone," Mr Coulter said.
In addition to its record-breaking cruise season, Belfast Harbour also welcomed a number of firsts during 2019. These included the visits of 'Disney Magic' and SAGA's first ever new build vessel, the 'Spirit of Discovery'. The port also welcomed 6,500 visitors and crew onboard the 'MSC Meraviglia', the largest ship by passenger capacity to ever visit Belfast.
Belfast Harbour has also invested in new facilities to market Belfast as a cruise embarkation port. Cruise & Maritime has already scheduled a number of departures from Belfast for next summer including Norwegian Fjord and British Isles itineraries.
The accolade was awarded by a global panel of cruise experts as part of the 2019 Cruise Critic Editors' Pick Awards.
It follows a record-breaking 2019 cruise season for the city with 146 cruise calls and 280,000 visitors. This year's season also saw the first dedicated cruise terminal open on the island following a £500,000 investment by Belfast Harbour and Tourism NI.
The welcome facility, which now includes a Visitor Information Centre managed by Visit Belfast also boasts new facilities for coaches and taxis, and an easily accessible deep water berth to accommodate larger cruise ships. The judges were impressed by the terminal, and praised its location for providing "easy access to the city's world-class attractions, such as Titanic Belfast in the city's famous Titanic Quarter".
Joe O'Neill, CEO of Belfast Harbour, welcomed the accolade. He said: "Considering the quality of other destinations in the UK and Ireland, we're delighted to win the award.
"Cruise tourism fits with Belfast Harbour's wider commitment to support the city's development through the creation of an iconic waterfront for Belfast. A successful cruise tourism sector will encourage new tourist and leisure projects, and further enhance Belfast's reputation as a leading destination including within the cruise market."
Gerry Lennon, Chief Executive of Visit Belfast added: "In the 20 years since Visit Belfast was established, we have worked with Belfast Harbour to attract cruise visitors to the city and region, and the result has been an enormous increase in the number of visitors and ships coming to the city. In total, Cruise Belfast has brought 784 ships to the city since 1999, and in the last five years alone, cruise visitor numbers have increased by 135%.
"Cruise is now a key contributor to Belfast's tourism economy, and that is down to investment in infrastructure, and the commitment of our tourism industry partners to providing more and better products for visitors to enjoy while they are here."
The awards are based on Cruise Critic editors' impartial cruise expertise which draws upon first-hand experiences and industry knowledge.
Adam Coulter, UK Managing Editor of Cruise Critic said Northern Ireland has capitalised on the growing desire for experiential holidays, especially amongst younger travellers.
"There is more choice than ever before in ocean, river and expedition cruises as a result of an array of exciting new ships launched this year and next. Whether you are cruising as a multi-generational family, a couple or solo, there really is a cruise for everyone," Mr Coulter said.
In addition to its record-breaking cruise season, Belfast Harbour also welcomed a number of firsts during 2019. These included the visits of 'Disney Magic' and SAGA's first ever new build vessel, the 'Spirit of Discovery'. The port also welcomed 6,500 visitors and crew onboard the 'MSC Meraviglia', the largest ship by passenger capacity to ever visit Belfast.
Belfast Harbour has also invested in new facilities to market Belfast as a cruise embarkation port. Cruise & Maritime has already scheduled a number of departures from Belfast for next summer including Norwegian Fjord and British Isles itineraries.
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New Cruise Terminal Opens In Belfast
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New Cruise Terminal Opens In Belfast
Cruise ship visitors to Northern Ireland will now be greeted by the first dedicated cruise terminal on the island of Ireland as they step off their ship in Belfast. A partnership between Visit Belfast and Belfast Harbour, the new facility includes a Visitor Information Centre and the latest technology to showcase local attractions.
07 December 2023
Belfast Harbour Named Best In The UK
Belfast Harbour has been recognised as the Best UK & British Isles Port of Call at this year's Cruise Critic UK Editors' Picks Awards.
Belfast Harbour Named Best In The UK
Belfast Harbour has been recognised as the Best UK & British Isles Port of Call at this year's Cruise Critic UK Editors' Picks Awards.
20 October 2023
Record Number Of Cruise Ships Land In Belfast In 2023 Season
Cruise Belfast has welcomed a record number of cruise ships to the city in the 2023 season, with a total of 158 calls made. Cruise Belfast is a partnership between Belfast Harbour and Visit Belfast, which markets the city as a leading cruise tourism destination.
Record Number Of Cruise Ships Land In Belfast In 2023 Season
Cruise Belfast has welcomed a record number of cruise ships to the city in the 2023 season, with a total of 158 calls made. Cruise Belfast is a partnership between Belfast Harbour and Visit Belfast, which markets the city as a leading cruise tourism destination.
01 April 2022
130 Cruise Ships Expected To Dock In Belfast This Year
Some 130 cruise ships are expected to dock in Belfast Harbour during the 2022 season, including 18 first time visitors.
130 Cruise Ships Expected To Dock In Belfast This Year
Some 130 cruise ships are expected to dock in Belfast Harbour during the 2022 season, including 18 first time visitors.
27 February 2023
Record Number Of Cruise Ships To Dock In Belfast In 2023
A record 170 cruise ships are due to dock in Belfast in 2023, the partnership between Belfast Harbour and Visit Belfast, Cruise Belfast has announced. As the cruise industry in Northern Ireland continues to provide a welcome boost to the economy, the number of ships expected this season represents a 20% increase on the previous record set in 2019.
Record Number Of Cruise Ships To Dock In Belfast In 2023
A record 170 cruise ships are due to dock in Belfast in 2023, the partnership between Belfast Harbour and Visit Belfast, Cruise Belfast has announced. As the cruise industry in Northern Ireland continues to provide a welcome boost to the economy, the number of ships expected this season represents a 20% increase on the previous record set in 2019.
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