A new cruise ship terminal officially opened in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is the first dedicated facility of the kind on the island.
Belfast Harbour invested more than GBP 500,000 on upgrading the quayside facility, that now features a visitor information centre.
According to Joe O’Neill, Belfast Harbour’s CEO, cruise calls to Belfast were up to 148 in 2019, an increase of 31% on 2018 and the investment in a terminal facility would enable them to offer the anticipated 285,000 cruise passengers a positive welcome.
The new cruise terminal is staffed by travel advisers by Visit Belfast and uses the latest audio-visual and digital technology to showcase Northern Ireland’s visitor attractions. It includes space for shuttle buses, taxis, coaches, and a berth that has been dredged to accommodate larger and newer cruise ships.
The port is the 3rd most popular destination in the UK and Ireland for 1-day / mini-cruise calls - after Dublin and Orkney Island.