Portland Port In Dorset Gears Up for Anticipated Record-Breaking 2025 Cruise Season

Portland Port in Dorset, England, has achieved remarkable success in its cruise operations during 2024, paving the way for an anticipated record-breaking season in 2025. The port welcomed over 117,000 passengers across 52 cruise ship calls, marking one of the most prosperous years in its 28-year history.

In 2024, cruise ships visited Portland during ten months of the year, with representation from 18 different cruise lines. Among the notable events was the handling of a record nine unscheduled visits, including the Cunard liner RMS Queen Mary 2 on June 1. These unscheduled calls demonstrated Portland’s growing reputation as a reliable port, particularly in cases of weather disruptions affecting other destinations.

An exciting highlight was the inaugural arrival of Princess Cruises’ Sun Princess, a 345-meter-long vessel with a capacity of 4,300 passengers, marking a new chapter for the port. The GBP 26 million deepwater berth facilitated easy passenger disembarkation for shore excursions or shuttle services to Weymouth. The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) reported that cruise operations in 2024 generated approximately GBP 10 million for the local economy through passenger and crew spending.

Looking ahead, the 2025 cruise season is poised to break previous records, with 60 cruise ship calls and over 100,000 passengers expected. The schedule includes five turnaround calls for the luxury vessel Hebridean Princess, which carries just 50 guests. Additionally, first-time visits from Silversea Cruises and Albatros Expeditions highlight Portland’s growing appeal to luxury and expedition cruise lines.

The first cruise of 2025 was a short notice call from Spirit of Discovery on January 7, bringing around 1,000 passengers due to adverse weather conditions elsewhere. This diversion provided a boost to the local economy as passengers enjoyed complimentary transportation to Portland and Weymouth.

This upcoming season marks the fourth consecutive year where Portland expects over 50 calls and 100,000 guests, solidifying its reputation as an emerging hub for cruise tourism along the Dorset coastline.

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