The Norwegian Star, the largest-ever cruise ship to drop anchor in Lough Foyle, arrived spectacularly at 7am, marking the end of the 2023 cruise season for Foyle Port.
The ship has a gross tonnage of 91,740 and a length of 296m, with 3,200 guests and crew aboard. The ship is on a 10-day voyage around Ireland, starting from Southampton and taking in some of the Emerald Isle's most breathtaking sights, including Glengarriff, Cork, Waterford, Dún Laoghaire, Belfast, Killybegs, and Greencastle.
Eagle-eyed Afloat readers would also have seen Norwegian Star when she berthed in Dublin Bay on October 5th.
Foyle Port provides easy access to the historic city of Derry-Londonderry and some of Ireland and Northern Ireland's most beautiful natural areas. Passengers enjoyed excursions to the Ulster American Folk Park, Giant's Causeway & Dunluce Castle, Inishowen Peninsula & Doagh Famine Village, Glenveagh National Park, and tours of Derry.
Independent guests were able to explore the local area of Greencastle.
To celebrate the ship's debut call, a traditional plaque exchange took place between the Norwegian Star's staff, Captain Divorce Pulitika, and General Manager Tony Winkler, and representatives from Foyle Port, Fáilte Ireland, and the Mayor's Office. Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Cllr Patricia Logue expressed her delight at welcoming the passengers from the Norwegian Star to the North West region
A Record Year for Foyle Port
Foyle Port in Derry-Londonderry has announced a record-breaking year for its cruise operations, with 18 ships and over 16,000 passengers and crew having visited.
Over half of the visitors were from the US, with the UK, France, Canada and Germany following closely behind. Bill McCann, Harbour Master and Operations Director of Foyle Port, welcomed visitors from some of the world's most prestigious cruise lines, including Azamara Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Silversea Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line.
The port also received maiden calls from eight ships, including Explora I from MSC Group’s luxury cruise brand, Explora Journeys, and the newly refurbished Renaissance from French cruise line, Compagnie Française de Croisières. Foyle Port offers a unique opportunity for visitors to experience both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland in one visit, making it a popular destination for tourists. With its stunning coastlines, beautiful countryside, sandy beaches, museums, and vibrant culture, the region has a lot to offer.
The Harbour Master is optimistic about the future of Foyle Port’s cruise operations, stating that the region’s rise in demand is a positive sign for the upcoming 2024 cruise season.
