22 | CRUISE NEWS
www.nitravelnews.com CRUISE
Holland America Cruise Line Makes Landmark Visit to Foyle Port
HOLLAND America Line’s Nieuw Statendam
became the largest cruise ship in history to visit Lough Foyle. The ship, weighing just under 100,000 gross tonnes and 300 metres in length, brought the largest ever single day number of crew and passengers to the region. The visit was part of Holland America Line’s 28 day
“Arctic Circle & British Isles Collectors’ Voyage.” This latest call marks Holland America
Line’s first return to Lough Foyle since the Prinsendam visited in 2018, and the operator has already confirmed scheduled return visits in 2027, 2028 and 2029. To commemorate the
inaugural call, a traditional plaque exchange was held on board between the ship’s Captain and local representatives from Foyle Port. Foyle Port’s Harbour Master and Operations Director, Captain Bill McCann said: “Welcoming the Nieuw Statendam — the
largest cruise ship ever to call to Lough Foyle — is a landmark moment for Foyle Port and for the wider North West region, and a reflection of the significant work that has gone into developing this destination for major international operators.
“Bringing close to 3,700 passengers and crew to the
region in a single visit is a record for us, and the fact that Holland America Line has already committed to returning for the next three years tells its own story about the confidence that leading cruise lines now have in our Port facilities and local tourism offering. “The North West has a great deal to showcase, and we look forward to welcoming many more vessels of this calibre in the years ahead.” Karen Farndell, associate vice president for sales and
marketing for Holland America Line, Operator of Nieuw Statendam, said: “Calling at Foyle Port offers a wonderful opportunity for our guests to experience the history, culture, and landscapes that make Northern Ireland so special. “We are committed to connecting guests more deeply with the destinations we visit, while caring for the local communities and natural environments that make these journeys so meaningful”.
Driving the demand for visitors to the region is also its leading tourism offering, with passengers
from
Nieuw Statendam able to access to a range of shore excursions across the North West, taking in the region’s Areas of Outstanding Natural
Beauty, museums, and more. New to this season’s offering is Celtic Grá, a live production
of Celtic music and dance which has been performed to audiences worldwide on land and at sea.
Niamh McCarthy, Managing Director, Excursions
Ireland, said: “The Foyle region is a shining example of what can be achieved when a remarkable destination is supported by a truly progressive Port. Rich in history, surrounded by stunning scenery, and packed with diverse experiences, it continues to grow as a must-visit cruise destination. “Working alongside Foyle Port is always a pleasure
for us in Excursions Ireland – their proactive, innovative approach and commitment to partnership make them a driving force for the region’s success. 2026 is a busy season in Foyle Port and we look forward to being a part of the impressive growth this region is seeing.”
ROYAL Caribbean has officially welcomed its third Icon Class ship, Legend of the Seas to its fleet. Following the ships two year construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland, the third Icon Class ship is now ready to make its July 2026 European debut. Over 1,200 crew members and partners came together for a ceremony held by Royal Caribbean Group Chairman and CEO Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean President and CEO Michael Bayley, and Meyer Turku CEO Casimir Lindholm.
During the ceremony, the team recognised the hard work of thousands of engineers, designers, architects and crew members who brought Legend to life and marked the transfer
of ownership between Royal Caribbean and Meyer Turku. Jason Liberty, chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group, said: “Today’s delivery of Legend of the Seas marks another important milestone in our ambition to continuously redefine the vacation experience.” “This new ship reflects the strength of the vacation ecosystem we are building – combining industry-leading ships, innovative technology, and exceptional experiences for our guests. It is an achievement only possible through the extraordinary partnership and expertise of Meyer Turku and the thousands of talented people whose creativity and commitment continue to help us design the future of vacations.”
July/August 2026
Explora Journeys Unveils Destination Experiences for Summer 2027 Alaska Season
EXPLORA Journeys has unveiled its destination experiences for their highly anticipated debut season in Alaska. Explora III will set sail from May to September 2027 and will offer guests the opportunity
to experience Themes include, meaningful
destination immersion. The destination experiences will fall into
four themes that encaptures Alaska’s marine landscapes.
Where Ice
Becomes Emotion, Wildlife as Nature Intended, Blue Wrapped in Green, Connections to Stories of Land & Sea.
Viking Takes Delivery of Newest River Ships
VIKING has announced it has taken delivery of its newest river ships, the Viking Annar and the Viking Fjolvar. Both vessels were built at Meyer’s Neptun Werft shipyard in Rostock- Warnemünde, Germany. The Viking Annar will sail Viking’s itineraries on the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers, while the Viking Fjolvar will sail itineraries on the
Seine River. “We are proud to welcome the Viking Annar and the Viking Fjolvar to our growing fleet of award-winning river ships,” said Leah Talactac, President and CEO of Viking. “Exploring by river offers an unmatched way to discover a destination’s history, culture and local life, and these new vessels allow even more curious travellers to experience Europe in Viking comfort.”
Royal Caribbean Officially Welcomes Third Icon Class Ship to its Fleet
NEWS
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