The 800-foot Viking Vela made the first cruise call of 2026 at Dún Laoghaire Harbour on Good Friday morning (April 3rd).
Arriving on schedule, the 1,000-passenger vessel anchored in Scotsman’s Bay. Passengers were transferred ashore by tender.
More than 70 cruise ships are due to visit the harbour this year. Around 128,000 passengers are expected across the season.
Viking Cruises leads the schedule with 25 calls. Norwegian Cruise Line follows with nine visits.
The largest vessel due is Regal Princess at 330 metres, with eight scheduled calls.
Other notable visits include Seven Seas Grandeur (June 26), Celebrity Eclipse (July 7), and Majestic Princess (July 13).
Several Viking ships will also return, including Viking Jupiter, Viking Sky, and Viking Vela.
Ships continue to anchor offshore, with passengers brought directly into the historic harbour by tender.
Schedules are managed by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.
Windstar Cruises will also operate departures from Dún Laoghaire in August, including voyages by Star Legend.
Built in 2024 and registered in Norway, Viking Vela has 14 decks and a gross tonnage of 47,800. The vessel cruises at speeds of over 20 knots.
