Belfast Harbour has signalled the start of its 2026 cruise season with the first major arrival of the year as Princess Cruises' 330-metre Majestic Princess made its maiden call to the city.

Across the season, Belfast is set to host 141 cruise calls, including 10 ships visiting for the first time. Cruise tourism is expected to inject an estimated £26m into the Northern Ireland economy this year.

The Majestic Princess, a 143,700 tonne, 19-deck Royal-class vessel, is bringing almost 5,000 passengers and crew for a full-day call. The voyage also features stops in Le Havre, France, alongside a range of ports around the UK and Ireland.

This year marks three decades since cruise ships first called at Belfast in 1996. In that time, the city has evolved into a leading international cruise destination, now regarded as the second busiest cruise port in the UK after Southampton and the busiest on the island of Ireland.

Cruise Belfast — the partnership between Belfast Harbour and Visit Belfast that promotes the city to cruise lines — expects 13 turnaround operations this year, with guests embarking and disembarking in Belfast, driving more overnight stays and local spend.

Seven cruise ships are also scheduled to remain alongside overnight during the season, giving visitors additional time to explore the city and the wider region. Michael Robinson, port director at Belfast Harbour, said: "We're delighted to welcome the Majestic Princess to Belfast for the first time today and excited that our longstanding partners, Princess Cruises, continue to view Belfast as a must see destination by putting us on the itineraries of a beautiful ship like the Majestic.

"This year we are celebrating 30 years of cruise tourism to Belfast, something that couldn't have been anticipated when the first two cruise ships visited the city in 1996. Cruise is now a thriving industry that supports jobs and contributes to the region's tourism offering. Our ongoing investment in port facilities confirms Belfast Harbour's commitment to ensuring Belfast remains a top-tier destination for cruise tourism for the next 25 years and beyond."

Gerry Lennon, CEO of Visit Belfast, remarked: "The arrival of the Majestic Princess to Belfast is an impressive way to kick off what promises to be another strong cruise season for our city. As we celebrate 30 years of cruise tourism, this milestone underscores the incredible experiences Belfast has to offer."

He added: "Cruise tourism is vital to our local economy, supporting thousands of jobs and enabling growth across a range of sectors. We remain committed to providing the warmest of welcomes and showcasing our unique hospitality and attractions. With each ship that arrives, we embrace the opportunity to create lasting memories for our visitors and strengthen our community's connections with the world."

Over the past 30 years, cruise ships have brought millions of international visitors to Northern Ireland, highlighting local hospitality and distinct attractions.

Construction is currently under way on Belfast Harbour's £90m deepwater cruise quay at the mouth of the port. Due to open in 2028, the new quay and terminal will be capable of accommodating some of the world's largest cruise vessels, supporting further sector growth and enhancing the guest experience.