First cruise ship of summer season sails into Lough Foyle
Maiden visit marks start of 'positive and exciting cruise season for the region' - Foyle Port says
In a sign that summer has officially arrived, Foyle Port has welcomed its first cruise ship of the 2025 season.
The state-of-the-art expedition vessel ‘World Explorer’ sailed up Lough Foyle on Sunday, May 11, docking at Lisahally.
The ship’s visit marks the start of what is set to be a “positive and exciting cruise season for the region”, Foyle Port said.
Visiting as part of a 10-day All Ireland cruise itinerary, World Explorer is circumnavigating Ireland, having departed from Nantes, France and she's concluding her journey in Zeebrugge, Belgium.
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) reports that expedition and exploration are the fastest-growing sectors of cruise tourism, a trend that is clearly reflected in the calls to Foyle Port, with 65 per cent of visiting cruise ships classed as luxury expedition vessels.
“These expedition calls are a strong endorsement of the unique experiences our region provides,” says Foyle Port Harbourmaster Captain Bill McCann, from Greencastle.
“We are seeing growing interest from luxury operators who are seeking authentic, immersive experiences for their guests – something our destination delivers in abundance. From breathtaking coastal scenery to UNESCO world heritage sites, we are proud to be a gateway to some of the most iconic places to visit on the island of Ireland,” Capt McCann added.
Expedition ships are typically smaller, more agile vessels designed to access remote locations. They offer adventure-rich itineraries, educational programming with regional experts, and often carry Zodiac landing craft for off-ship exploration.
World Explorer, chartered from Mystic Cruises by Belgium-based tour operators Rivages du Monde, is a leading example – powered by two cutting-edge Rolls Royce hybrid-electric engines that significantly reduce emissions and environmental impact.
The five-star vessel docked at Lisahally, while her 111 guests maximised their time in the destination by exploring Counties Donegal, Derry and Donegal. Excursions across the region included visits to the historic stone fort at Grianán of Aileach in Burt.