The Southeast of Ireland is set to benefit from the arrival of 21 cruise vessels to the Port of Waterford this season.

The cruise tourism season, which operates from April to October, will, says the Port of Waterford, offer the regional economy a boost to the tune of €2,550,000 over the course of welcoming 21 cruise visits with a total of 25,755 visitors on board and some 12,049 crew.

The cruise calls will be welcomed at both the Port of Waterford at Belview and the picturesque Dunmore East harbour, operated by the Department of Agriculture and the Marine.

Visitors from each of the vessels will alight at Belview and enjoy travel to the top attractions across the Southeast and at Dunmore East, they will travel ashore via tender boats, where they will then continue to enjoy 1,000 years of history in 1,000 paces at the Waterford Treasures Museum collection in the city’s Viking Triangle, marvel at the making of Waterford Crystal, enjoy the UNESCO World Heritage site at the Copper Coast, explore ancient Abbeys such as Rock of Cashel, and see which lords lived in the likes of Kilkenny Castle and discover the story of Ireland’s Great Famine learning how our emigrated from Ireland aboard the Dunbrody Famine ship at New Ross.

Harbour Master Capt. Darren Doyle says, “We are delighted to welcome visitors from all over the world to the Southeast region during our cruise business season. At the Port of Waterford we look forward to facilitating this vital tourism revenue stream for the entire Southeast region and continue working with all of the key stakeholders to promote the wonderful visitor destination that is this corner of Ireland’s Ancient East.”

The first vessel is set to arrive on the 28th of April, and it is ‘The Maud’, which will carry some 528 passengers and 300 crew who will enjoy discovering the gems of the Southeast region. The season will also see the gigantic ‘Celebrity Apex’ visit twice during the summer carrying some 3,405 passengers and 1,320 crew members.

The Norwegian expedition cruise liner, Maud, arrived in Waterford Port this morning, the first cruise vessel in over two years, due to Covid pandemic disruption.

It is the maiden voyage of the vessel, from the Norwegian cruise line company Hurtigruten. She arrived from the Isle of Man with over 500 passengers on board and 300 crew members. The vessel is named after one of the most famous Polar vessels -Roald Amundsen's 'Maud' - from 1917.

Waterford Harbour Master Capt. Darren Doyle said 27 cruise vessels will call to Waterford by the end of September with a total of 35,000 passengers and 16,000 crew members. “This will deliver a much-needed boost to the regional tourism economy of €3.5m.”

The Maud is scheduled to make nine more visits to Waterford this Summer.

The Celebrity Apex, which cost $900 million to build is scheduled to make her maiden visit in June and return in July and in August with over 3,000 passengers on each occasion.

#waterfordport – Ireland's 'oldest' port is seeking to recruit an enthusiastic, dynaminc leader for the role of CEO when the current Chief Excecutive retires this year. Waterford Port has advertised the role in today's Sunday Business Post.

The port plays a pivotal role in the economic life of the south–east. 

More details about the job from Ellen Roche of PricewaterhouseCoopers on 01 7926703