Featured photo: The Europa Valetta cruise ship passes Moville in 2022. Pic: Enda Craig.
Five cruise ships will be visiting Greencastle this summer, bringing thousands of passengers to explore the north west.
The Foyle Port cruise season officially began yesterday as the state-of-the-art expedition vessel World Explorer arrived at Lisahally with 111 guests.
From July-September, five cruises will be anchored in Greencastle, with MS Europa, Island Sky, Seven Seas Grandeur and Crystal Serenity tendering into Greencastle Village, and Exploris One tendering into Magilligan Point.
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) reports that expedition and exploration are the fastest-growing sectors of cruise tourism, a trend that is clearly reflected in the calls to Foyle Port with 65% of visiting cruise ships classed as luxury expedition vessels. Expedition ships, such as the Exploris One and Island Sky, are typically smaller, more agile vessels designed to access remote locations. They offer adventure-rich itineraries, educational programming with regional experts.
“These expedition calls are a strong endorsement of the unique experiences our region provides,” said Captain Bill McCann, Harbour Master & Operations Director at Foyle Port. “We are seeing growing interest from luxury operators who are seeking authentic, immersive experiences for their guests — something our destination delivers in abundance. From breathtaking coastal scenery to UNESCO world heritage sites, we are proud to be a gateway to some of the most iconic places to visit on the island of Ireland.”
The visitors on this week’s World Explorer maximised their time in the destination by exploring Counties Derry-Londonderry, Antrim and Donegal. Excursions included visits to the oldest distillery in the world, Old Bushmills Distillery, a guided walk of Derry’s famous City Walls, and a journey to the ancient stone fort, Grianán of Aileach in Donegal.
To find out more about the 2025 cruise season, visit www.foyleport.com/cruise-and-
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