Another successful cruise season for Lough Foyle region, with 46% increase in ships

Foyle Port has wrapped up a highly successful cruise season, welcoming a total of 19 cruise ships to Greencastle and Lisahally in 2025, a 46 per cent increase on last year.

This year’s cruise calendar featured ships from 11 different cruise lines, including world-leading luxury operators Regent Seven Seas, Azamara, Silversea, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, and Phoenix Reisen, alongside renowned expedition lines such as Mystic Cruises, AE Expeditions, Exploris Expeditions and Noble Caledonia.

The season included five inaugural calls and a first-ever visit from luxury line Windstar Cruises, whose ship Star Legend made its debut at the port.

In total, the 2025 season brought 6,930 passengers and crew to the Lough Foyle region. Of the 3,940 passengers, nearly half were from the United States (48 per cent), followed by Germany (20pc), the United Kingdom (13pc), France (5pc) and Canada (4pc).

Depending on ship size and tidal conditions, vessels were welcomed either at the tender port in Greencastle or the commercial port at Lisahally.

Foyle Port Harbour Master and Greencastle native Bill McCann said he is “delighted with how the season has gone” this year.

“The increase in calls and the range of visitors highlight Foyle Port’s growing reputation as a key gateway for cruise tourism in the North-West.”

“We look forward to building on this success and continuing to showcase our region’s unique location as the gateway to the historic city of Derry-Londonderry and two of the world’s most iconic coastal routes, the Wild Atlantic Way and the Causeway Coast,” Mr McCann added.

Meanwhile, the success of the 2025 season underscores Foyle Port’s commitment to strengthening the region’s tourism profile and supporting local economic growth through the cruise industry.

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As part of its long-term strategy to grow this sector, Foyle Port actively engages with the global cruise market, attending major trade shows in Miami and Hamburg to meet with both existing and prospective cruise clients.

The Port is also an active member of Cruise Ireland, a marketing organisation dedicated to promoting the island on a global scale.

Further cementing its reputation, Foyle Port hosted a high-profile familiarisation trip in September for 12 cruise line representatives from the US and Europe. The visit included tours of the commercial port at Lisahally and the tender port at Greencastle, along with a tailored itinerary designed to showcase the destination and the range of tourism products available to visiting cruise guests.

The trip formed part of a wider tour of Ireland hosted by Cruise Ireland in partnership with Excursions Ireland.

Niamh McCarthy, Managing Director of Excursions Ireland, said: “Working with Foyle Port and the wider North-West region has been an absolute pleasure and this past season was no different. This progressive, forward-thinking port is not only strategically located on the stunning North-West coast, but also acts as a gateway to a region steeped in incredible history, culture, and natural beauty.”