Belfast Harbour Kicks Off Record 2026 Cruise Season with Majestic Princess Maiden Call
Belfast Harbour has welcomed the Majestic Princess on its maiden call to the city, kicking off a record 2026 cruise season that will see 141 cruise calls from 34 different cruise lines, including 10 first-time visitors. The season is projected to bring approximately 300,000 visitors to Belfast and generate an estimated £26 million for the local economy — a significant uplift on previous years and a powerful vote of confidence in the city's growing status as a premier cruise destination.
Background
Belfast has emerged as one of the UK's most dynamic cruise destinations over the past decade, driven by sustained investment in port infrastructure, a compelling tourism offer centred on the Titanic Quarter, and the marketing efforts of Cruise Belfast — a partnership between Belfast Harbour and Visit Belfast. The city is now the second busiest cruise port in the UK and the busiest on the island of Ireland, a remarkable achievement for a port that was largely absent from major cruise itineraries a generation ago.
The 2026 season builds on that momentum with a record number of calls and a projected economic impact of £26 million — up from approximately £20 million in 2023. The season also features 13 cruise turnarounds, where passengers begin or end their journeys in Belfast, and seven overnight stays, both of which generate significantly higher per-visitor spending than standard day calls. The turnaround business in particular is a mark of Belfast's growing confidence as a cruise hub, as it requires passengers to fly into the city and spend time in local hotels, restaurants, and attractions before or after their voyage.
Looking further ahead, Belfast Harbour is investing £90 million in a new deepwater cruise quay, expected to be operational in 2028, which will allow the port to accommodate some of the world's largest cruise vessels and further cement its position in the global cruise market.
Key Developments
The Majestic Princess, a Royal-class vessel measuring 330 metres and weighing 143,700 tonnes, made its inaugural call to Belfast on 21 April 2026, bringing nearly 5,000 passengers and crew to the city as part of an itinerary encompassing the UK, Ireland, and France. The 19-deck ship is one of the largest vessels to have called at Belfast Harbour and its arrival signals the growing confidence of major cruise lines in the city's capacity to handle large-scale operations.
The Majestic Princess is one of ten ships making their first-ever call to Belfast in 2026, a figure that reflects the city's rising profile in cruise line itinerary planning. First-time callers are particularly significant for the tourism sector, as they introduce Belfast to new passenger demographics and create opportunities for repeat visits. The 141 total cruise calls represent a new record for the harbour, surpassing previous seasons and demonstrating the sustained growth trajectory of Belfast's cruise tourism sector.
The economic benefits of the season extend well beyond the harbour itself. Cruise passengers spending a day in Belfast typically visit the Titanic Belfast museum, the Cathedral Quarter, and the city's growing food and drink scene, generating income for a wide range of businesses across the hospitality and retail sectors.
Why It Matters
The record 2026 cruise season is significant not just as a tourism milestone but as an indicator of Belfast's broader economic trajectory. Cruise tourism is one of the fastest-growing segments of the global travel industry, and Belfast's ability to attract a record number of calls — including first-time visitors from major international cruise lines — reflects the city's successful repositioning as a world-class destination. The £26 million projected economic impact represents real income for Belfast businesses, many of which are still navigating the challenges of post-pandemic recovery and the ongoing uncertainties of the post-Brexit trading environment. The investment in the new deepwater quay signals that Belfast Harbour is planning for continued growth, with the ambition to compete for the very largest vessels in the global cruise fleet.
Local Impact
For Belfast's hospitality and tourism sectors, the 2026 cruise season is a significant source of revenue and employment. Hotels, restaurants, tour operators, taxi firms, and retail businesses all benefit from the influx of cruise visitors, and the 13 turnaround calls in particular generate substantial overnight spending. The season also has positive implications for Belfast International Airport and George Best Belfast City Airport, as turnaround passengers typically fly in and out of the city. For the wider Northern Ireland economy, the growth of cruise tourism is a welcome diversification of the visitor economy, reducing dependence on any single source market and building the city's international profile as a destination worth travelling to in its own right.
What's Next
The 2026 season will run through the autumn, with the busiest period expected in the summer months when longer daylight hours and favourable weather make Belfast an attractive port of call. Belfast Harbour and Visit Belfast will be working to convert first-time cruise visitors into repeat tourists, encouraging passengers to return for longer stays. The progress of the new deepwater cruise quay will also be closely watched, as its completion in 2028 is expected to open up Belfast to a new tier of ultra-large cruise vessels that are currently unable to dock at the existing facilities.
Sources: Belfast Harbour; NI Chamber of Commerce
