Foyle Port in Northern Ireland just had its best cruise season ever, and it expects a much bigger one next year. The port plans 36 cruise ship calls in 2027, up from a record 22 in 2026. That is a jump of about 64%, the Derry Journal reported on Oct. 26.
The port expects about 25,000 passengers and crew in 2027. That compares with close to 19,000 in 2026.
A record 2026 season
Foyle Port serves Derry-Londonderry and Lough Foyle, on the border of Northern Ireland and County Donegal. In a statement, the port said the 2026 season brought:
- A record 22 scheduled cruise calls
- Ships from 15 different cruise lines
- Six first-time visits, including Ponant, Windstar and Oceania Cruises
- Close to 19,000 passengers and crew
- An economic impact of more than £1.1 million (about $1.5 million)
- Passenger numbers 32% higher than the previous high, set in 2023
The season also ran more than a month longer than in 2025, the port said.
The biggest ship yet
Holland America Line's Nieuw Statendam was the high point of the year. It became the largest ship ever to visit Lough Foyle. It also brought the most passengers and crew the port has ever welcomed in a single day.
The port also had a double ship day on Aug. 28. Hebridean Sky docked at Fort George in the city while Regent Seven Seas Cruises' Seven Seas Voyager returned to Greencastle harbor. Explora Journeys also made its first call on the island of Ireland when Explora III visited this season, the port said.
Three places to come ashore
Where your ship docks depends on its size and the tides. Foyle Port uses three spots:
- Fort George, a berth right in the center of Derry-Londonderry
- Lisahally, the port's commercial docks
- Greencastle, a tender port in County Donegal, where guests ride small boats ashore
If you sail to Foyle, check which one your ship uses. A Fort George call puts you within walking distance of the historic city walls. A Greencastle call means a tender ride and a drive to the city or the Donegal coast.
What port leaders said
Captain Bill McCann, the port's harbor master and operations director, called 2026 "the most successful in Foyle Port's history." He said that was true both for the number of calls and for the quality of the cruise lines that chose to add the North West to their trips.
He added that the numbers show "the growing confidence the cruise industry has in this destination." He pointed to the port's ability to handle "vessels of increasing scale."
John G. McLaughlin, chief executive of Donegal County Council, said the season brought "thousands of international visitors directly into our hospitality, retail and tourism sectors."
Why it matters for cruisers
Ireland's North West is still a lesser-known stop on British Isles cruises. More calls at Foyle mean more chances to see Derry's old walls, the Inishowen Peninsula and the wild Donegal coast.
The port has not yet named which lines will make the 36 calls in 2027. The six new lines this year, and the large Holland America visit, suggest that both small luxury ships and big ships will keep coming.