The arrival of Cunard’s ship MS Queen Elizabeth in Belfast on Thursday morning marked an important milestone for the port and the city, welcoming the 1,000th cruise ship call. Belfast resumed cruise tourism in June this year, with UK-only itineraries and, to date, the arrival of the luxury ocean liner Queen Elizabeth is the 66th cruise call to the port of Belfast in 2021. 

“Celebrating the arrival of our 1000th cruise call to Belfast Harbour is a milestone event, not least for all of the partners who work in closely together to sustain and grow local cruise tourism.  As hospitality and tourism rebuild after an exceptionally challenging period, I have no doubt that those cruise visitors arriving on today’s 1000th vessel will have received Belfast’s customary warm welcome,” said the Port Director of Belfast Harbour, Michael Robinson.

Belfast developed together with the wider region as a cruise destination and that is a great success for tourism in Northern Ireland. People are happy to welcome cruise ships back to the city after the pandemic and witness the recovery of its economy. Before the coronavirus pandemic, 2019 was a record year for cruise calls at the port of Belfast, with 146 ships bringing 285,000 tourists to Northern Ireland.

The Queen Elizabeth first appeared in October 2010 when she was named in a ceremony by the Queen herself. It can take 2,300 passengers and has 1,043 cabins — including 127 suites, 611 balcony, 146 ocean view, and 162 inside.