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07/12/2023
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.
Cruise Critic®, a subsidiary of TripAdvisor, is the world's leading cruise reviews site and online cruise community and each year it names the winners of its Editors' Picks Awards, chosen by the site's international team of cruise experts.
Guided by the Cruise Critic editorial team's impartial cruise expertise – based on first-hand experiences and industry knowledge – the awards name the best-in-industry while also helping travellers select the best cruise for their specific interests and needs.
At the 15th annual awards Belfast took home the prize for Best Port Call in a year when the city enjoyed a record cruise season, with 159 cruise calls from 57 ships from 32 different cruise lines in 2023. That was an 8% increase on the pre-pandemic record set in 2019.
Michael Robinson, Port Director of Belfast Harbour said: "This award is recognition of the fantastic job that everyone connected with the cruise industry has done to create a product that gives visitors to Northern Ireland a brilliant experience. Significant investment has gone into the cruise facilities in Belfast and we continue to receive positive feedback from passengers, crew and cruise line management on both the high levels of service provided and the quality of NI's tourism offering.
"A lot of work has been done through Cruise Belfast, our partnership with Visit Belfast, to promote the region and bring visitors here. But, crucially, working collaboratively with tourist attractions, the hospitality sector and industry bodies, we have helped create a compelling offer that gives the cruise lines the confidence to come back to the region and expand the number of calls they make every year."
Gerry Lennon, Chief Executive of Visit Belfast, said: "Belfast is a compelling, unique destination steeped in history, culture, heritage and intrigue that boasts great hospitality, a big retail offer and a wealth of world class attractions and I'm delighted that its success is officially recognised this year by Cruise Critic as the Best UK and British Isles Port of Call.
"Welcoming record numbers every year, we're really grateful for the support of our award-winning team, Belfast Harbour, and many other important stakeholders across the city, who work hard to deliver an exemplary experience for our cruise visitors and to Cruise Critic for shining the spotlight on this increasingly popular and exciting cruise destination."
Cruise Critic is the world's largest cruise reviews and information site, offering a comprehensive resource for cruise travelers, featuring more than 50 million opinions, reviews & photos and hosts the world's largest online cruise community.
"This was a phenomenal year for the cruise industry", said Adam Coulter, Executive Editor of Cruise Critic UK & AU. "Between record-breaking sales and capacity numbers exceeding 100 percent, we saw travellers flock to the seas for high-value holidays. And for UK-based travellers, the introduction of ground-breaking new ships helped to drive interest in cruising even more."
Cruise Critic®, a subsidiary of TripAdvisor, is the world's leading cruise reviews site and online cruise community and each year it names the winners of its Editors' Picks Awards, chosen by the site's international team of cruise experts.
Guided by the Cruise Critic editorial team's impartial cruise expertise – based on first-hand experiences and industry knowledge – the awards name the best-in-industry while also helping travellers select the best cruise for their specific interests and needs.
At the 15th annual awards Belfast took home the prize for Best Port Call in a year when the city enjoyed a record cruise season, with 159 cruise calls from 57 ships from 32 different cruise lines in 2023. That was an 8% increase on the pre-pandemic record set in 2019.
Michael Robinson, Port Director of Belfast Harbour said: "This award is recognition of the fantastic job that everyone connected with the cruise industry has done to create a product that gives visitors to Northern Ireland a brilliant experience. Significant investment has gone into the cruise facilities in Belfast and we continue to receive positive feedback from passengers, crew and cruise line management on both the high levels of service provided and the quality of NI's tourism offering.
"A lot of work has been done through Cruise Belfast, our partnership with Visit Belfast, to promote the region and bring visitors here. But, crucially, working collaboratively with tourist attractions, the hospitality sector and industry bodies, we have helped create a compelling offer that gives the cruise lines the confidence to come back to the region and expand the number of calls they make every year."
Gerry Lennon, Chief Executive of Visit Belfast, said: "Belfast is a compelling, unique destination steeped in history, culture, heritage and intrigue that boasts great hospitality, a big retail offer and a wealth of world class attractions and I'm delighted that its success is officially recognised this year by Cruise Critic as the Best UK and British Isles Port of Call.
"Welcoming record numbers every year, we're really grateful for the support of our award-winning team, Belfast Harbour, and many other important stakeholders across the city, who work hard to deliver an exemplary experience for our cruise visitors and to Cruise Critic for shining the spotlight on this increasingly popular and exciting cruise destination."
Cruise Critic is the world's largest cruise reviews and information site, offering a comprehensive resource for cruise travelers, featuring more than 50 million opinions, reviews & photos and hosts the world's largest online cruise community.
"This was a phenomenal year for the cruise industry", said Adam Coulter, Executive Editor of Cruise Critic UK & AU. "Between record-breaking sales and capacity numbers exceeding 100 percent, we saw travellers flock to the seas for high-value holidays. And for UK-based travellers, the introduction of ground-breaking new ships helped to drive interest in cruising even more."
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04 December 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.
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.
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.
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.
29 July 2019
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.
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.
30 July 2001
Tourism lift as cruise liner docks in Belfast
Economy Minister Sir Reg Empey has welcomed the news that Northern Ireland is proving to be a popular pit stop for cruise liners, following the arrival of the eighth cruise liner to dock in Belfast this year.
Tourism lift as cruise liner docks in Belfast
Economy Minister Sir Reg Empey has welcomed the news that Northern Ireland is proving to be a popular pit stop for cruise liners, following the arrival of the eighth cruise liner to dock in Belfast this year.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
