CRUISE 46 | CRUISE NEWS
Belfast Harbour and Port of Cork Establish Strategic Partnership To Boost Cruise Tourism
BELFAST Harbour Commissioners and the Port of Cork Company have announced the signing of an historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which establishes a strategic partnership designed to accelerate the delivery of offshore wind energy and to boost cruise tourism across the island. The 10-year agreement creates a
formal framework for the two largest cruise ports on the island of Ireland to collaborate on large-scale infrastructure projects, green innovation, and digital transformation. By leveraging their collective expertise, the
Scenic Group Announce Plans For Three New River Ships
SCENIC Group has announced it will launch three new luxury river ships in 2027 and early 2028. One Emerald Star-Ship will join the Emerald Cruises & Tours fleet in
2027, while Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours will welcome two ultra-luxury Scenic Space-Ships in 2028. This means by early 2028, Scenic will have a river cruise fleet of 15 ships, while Emerald will have 11. The new vessels will operate across Europe and Asia. Emerald Nova – launching June 2027 on the Douro River – The 112 guest Emerald Nova will be purpose-built for the Douro and
join Emerald Radiance in Portugal. Nova will offer two itineraries: the 11- day ‘Douro Highlights: Porto, Salamanca & the Wine Valley’ and 8-day ‘Secrets of the Douro’, from March to November. The ship will call at des- tinations including Porto, Salamanca and offer active excursion options such as guided hikes and kayaking. Scenic Aria – launching September 2027 on the Douro River – The 96-guest Scenic Aria will join Scenic Azure in Portugal, operating
an 11-day ‘Unforgettable Douro’ and eight-day ‘Delightful Douro’ from March to November. The ship will call at destinations such as Regua and Pinhao and offer excursion options including tile painting and olive tast- ing at a Quinta.
Scenic Spirit II – launching early 2028 on the Mekong River – The 68-guest Scenic Spirit II will cruise the Mekong River across Viet-
nam and Cambodia. The ship will call at the likes of Phnom Penh, Ankor Ban and Ho Chi Minh City, with excursion options including the infa- mous Killing Fields and a visit to a wet market. Glen Moroney, Chairman & Founder, Scenic Group, said “Our com-
mitment to introducing three new river ships for the Scenic and Em- erald Cruises brands reflects our confidence in the strong demand for our unique approach to luxury cruising. With Scenic Ikon in build for delivery in 2028 and five Emerald Cruises yachts and river ships already confirmed, this announcement marks the next phase of our strategic fleet growth. Moroney continued, “By bringing the design and construction of
these new river ships under the expertise of our team at MKM Yachts, we can apply the same exact standards, innovation and design principles that have underpinned Scenic Group’s success for the past 40 years.”
ports aim to strengthen their roles as key enablers of the regional economy, North and South. The partnership focuses on four core objectives: Offshore Wind Energy: The ports will work in partnership to serve the evolving needs of the offshore wind sector supply chain, developing port infrastructure and positioning both Belfast and Cork as critical hubs for wind farm projects in the Irish Sea. Cruise Tourism Expansion: The ports will collaborate
on jointly marketing and improving cruise facilities to enhance the passenger experience and drive regional tourism spend, building on the success of their current collaboration through Cruise Ireland. Innovation & Resilience: The ports will collaborate
to identify and secure joint funding for catalytic capital projects, including clean shore power solutions and digital hub developments to enhance port competitiveness.
Royal Caribbean Reveals Island Debut with 2027/28 Australia Sailings
www.nitravelnews.com
April/May 2026
Community & Skills: The ports will align
existing initiatives focused on supporting employment and training for younger adults in lesser-served areas, ensuring the maritime economy delivers broad social value. The partnership has been welcomed by
the Ministers responsible for ports in both jurisdictions. Liz Kimmins MLA, Infrastructure
Minister, said, “This partnership between Belfast and Cork is a significant step forward in our efforts to build a more resilient and sustainable economy. By working together, our ports can better navigate global challenges and seize the immense opportunities presented by the green energy transition. Kimmins continued, “I’m pleased that
this collaboration will not only drive trade but will deliver positive impact for our people and wider society across the island by providing a vital boost to local communities through skills development and job creation.” Darragh O’Brien TD, Ireland’s Minister for Transport, said, “International connectivity is the lifeblood of our island economy.
This MoU aligns perfectly with our national goal of achieving net-zero through the rapid deployment of
offshore wind. “By pooling resources and expertise, the Port of Cork and Belfast Harbour are ensuring that we remain competitive on the world
stage while delivering meaningful environmental and economic benefits for citizens North and South.” Dr. Theresa Donaldson, Chair of Belfast Harbour
Commissioners, said: “Belfast Harbour has long been a catalyst for regional prosperity. This agreement with the Port of Cork allows us to scale our ambitions, particularly in the cruise and offshore wind sectors. Donaldson continued, “We are committed to using our collective expertise to ensure our ports are world- leading, innovative and sustainable hubs that serve as an economic foundation for future generations.” The Memorandum of Understanding was signed
by representatives from both Belfast Harbour Commissioners and the Port of Cork Company and comes into effect immediately.
AE Expeditions To Embark on Largest European Small- Ship Season
AE Expeditions’ largest European small-ship cruising season gets underway,
with 19 voyages
exploring more than 120 ports across the Mediterranean, Adriatic, Northern Europe and the UK & Ireland. Operating from April to October 2026, the voyages will take place primarily aboard AE’s newest purpose-built ship, Douglas Mawson, bringing the company’s concept small-ship travel to destinations ranging from the Canary Islands and Portugal to the Greek Islands and Adriatic coast. “We’re seeing growing interest in smaller ships and more immersive styles of travel,
particularly in
destinations where travellers are looking for deeper context and a stronger connection with the places they visit,” said Justin Ewin, Global Head of Product, AE Expeditions.
ROYAL Caribbean is welcoming the debut of Royal Beach Club Lelepa, Royal Caribbean’s first exclusive destination in the Southern Hemisphere. From October 2027 to April 2028, travellers will be able to enjoy more short getaways, weekend outings, and ways to enjoy island time on Anthem of the Seas from Sydney and Voyager of the Seas from Brisbane, offering two- to 12-night vacations across Australia and New Zealand. “As Australia’s most trusted vacation brand, Royal Caribbean continues to raise the bar for the best family vacations with Royal Beach Club Lelepa, a unique destination in the Southern Hemisphere, inspired by the natural beauty and spirit of the South Pacific region,” said Gavin Smith, vice president and general manager, Australia and New Zealand. Royal Caribbean. “We know that Australian families love to spend their holidays in the South Pacific, and Lelepa takes this to another level with an experience they won’t find anywhere else in the world. With an expanded range of weekend cruises, short breaks and longer routes to enjoy the holidays, we are giving travellers even more reason to explore favourite destinations in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.” Royal Beach Club Lelepa, is a one-of-a-kind destination located in the southern hemisphere island nation of Vanuatu, included in all South Pacific getaways from Sydney and Brisbane starting in October 2027. Travellers can enjoy two beaches, including an adults-only retreat and an activity-filled family beach.
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