Portland Port Prepares for a Record-Breaking Cruise Season in 2025

Portland Port in Dorset, England, is gearing up for a record-breaking cruise season in 2025, following a highly successful 2024. The port saw over 117,000 passengers from 52 cruise ship visits, making it one of the best years in its 28-year history. Throughout the year, Portland served as a destination for various international travelers, with cruise ships docking 10 months out of 12, excluding January and March.

Noteworthy achievements included the port handling 9 unscheduled visits, such as the one made by Cunard’s RMS Queen Mary 2 on June 1, 2024. These unscheduled calls were largely due to adverse weather and operational issues at other ports, emphasizing Portland’s emerging status as a reliable cruise destination.

A significant highlight was the inaugural visit of Princess Cruises’ Sun Princess, a large vessel capable of carrying 4,300 passengers, which also benefitted from the port’s new deepwater berth. The 2024 cruise activities generated approximately £10 million for the local economy through spending by passengers and crew.

Looking ahead, the 2025 season is projected to bring more than 100,000 passengers across 60 cruise ship visits, including five turnaround calls for the luxury Hebridean Princess, which accommodates just 50 passengers. Additionally, Portland will welcome its first cruises from Silversea Cruises and Albatros Expeditions, signaling its growing allure for both luxury and expedition cruise lines.

The inaugural call of 2025 was a timely visit from Spirit of Discovery on January 7, a diversion due to bad weather elsewhere, providing an off-season economic boost as passengers explored Portland and Weymouth.

This will mark the fourth consecutive year with over 50 cruise ship calls and 100,000 visitors, reinforcing Portland Port’s reputation as a key player in cruise tourism along the Dorset coastline.

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