Dublin Port Welcomes Celebrity Eclipse, The First Cruise Ship to Call the City Home

29th April 2018

Tug boat Shackleton and Celebrity Eclipse arriving into Dublin Port. The 2,850 guest Celebrity Eclipse has arrived in Dublin to become the first ever cruise ship to be based from the port. Celebrity Cruises will operate five cruises from Dublin Port in 2018 that will see over 14,000 people start their holiday from the city. Calling Dublin home until June 2018, Celebrity Eclipse's regular departures from the city are each expected to bring an estimated €1 million in knock-on economic benefits to the area. Celebrity Cruises has already committed to return in 2019 Credit: Conor McCabe

The first cruise ship to ever be based in Dublin has arrived into port. Celebrity Eclipse from Celebrity Cruises will bring 2,850 guests into the city each time a sailing starts from Dublin Port. In total, over 14,000 people will start their cruise holiday from Dublin on Celebrity Eclipse in 2018.

As Afloat.ie reported in November 2016, Celebrity Eclipse was revealed as Dublin Port's first major 'Home Port' cruiseship.

On Monday 30 April 2018, guests will embark Celebrity Eclipse to enjoy the inaugural sailing and first cruise of the season based from the port, a 10-night Ireland and Iceland cruise.

CelebrityXDublinPort 74 The 2,850 guest Celebrity Eclipse has arrived in Dublin to become the first ever cruise ship to be based from the port. Photo: Conor McCabe

Boasting a real grass lawn on the top deck and 19 bars and restaurants, Celebrity Eclipse is twice the length of the pitch at Croke Park at 317m long and features more than five-times the number of rooms as the Shelbourne Hotel.

“Thank you to the city of Dublin for making Celebrity Eclipse feel so at home. We’re blown away by the welcome" – Jo Rzymowska

Jo Rzymowska, vice president and managing director, Celebrity Cruises, Ireland, UK and Asia, commented:

“Thank you to the city of Dublin for making Celebrity Eclipse feel so at home. We’re blown away by the welcome. This is the first time in three years that we’ve added a new European homeport to our itineraries and Dublin has exceeded our expectations. Testament to the strong demand from our guests to sail from Dublin, we are excited to return with another ship and another mini season in 2019.”

The ship’s arrival received a warm welcome in Dublin, with dancers and musicians greeting guests disembarking from the transatlantic cruise that departed Miami on 15 April 2018. Guests enjoyed an overnight stay in the city on-board the ship before ending their cruise.

The Lord Mayor of Dublin Mícheál MacDonncha added:

“I’m pleased to welcome Celebrity Cruises and the many thousands of international holidaymakers they will bring to Dublin over the next few months and in 2019. This is an exciting opportunity for the city following years of investment, and a great milestone in the success of our expanding cruise port.”

CelebrityXDublinPort 120 Celebrity Eclipse's regular departures from the city are each expected to bring an estimated €1 million in knock-on economic benefits to the area

Expected to bring a business-boom to the city, each turnaround of the ship in Dublin will generate over an estimated €1 million in knock-on economic benefits.* Celebrity Eclipse will begin five cruises in Dublin Port including sailings to Iceland and a Norwegian Fjords itinerary.

A first from a major cruise line, Celebrity Cruises will base the ship in Dublin until June 2018. Due to popular demand, Celebrity Cruises has confirmed that in 2019 sister-ship Celebrity Reflection will sail into Dublin to offer another mini season of cruises from the capital.

Pat Ward, Head of Cruise Tourism, Dublin Port Company, comments:

“2017 was a record breaking year for Dublin Port with 127 ships making a stop in the capital and over 210,000 cruise visitors using the port. In 2018 we are on target to exceed that further, with the homeporting of Celebrity Eclipse in the city making a significant difference to our growth plans. We look forward to continuing to work with Celebrity Cruises to continue this success in 2019.”

Dublin Port Company’s multi-million-euro investment programme to futureproof the port has already delivered the first of new berths to accommodate customer investments in new vessels and routes. Based on Dublin Port’s Masterplan, the company is investing €132m this year alone to ensure the timely delivery of new infrastructure and additional capacity, while capital investment of €1 billion is planned over the next decade.

In May and June 2019 the Celebrity Cruises ship Celebrity Reflection will sail from Dublin Port as part of a mini-season offering five cruises from Ireland. Celebrity Reflection is marginally larger than Celebrity Eclipseaccommodating just over 3,000 guests and features many of the same luxury venues.

Celebrity Cruises sails on every continent in the world and has a fleet of 12 ships. The revolutionary new shipCelebrity Edge will join the fleet in November 2018. The cruise line is part of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, the second large cruise business in the world.

Published in Dublin Port

About The Author

Afloat.ie Team

Email The Author

Afloat.ie is Ireland's dedicated marine journalism team.

Have you got a story for our reporters? Email us here.

We've got a favour to ask

More people are reading Afloat.ie than ever thanks to the power of the internet but we're in stormy seas because advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. Unlike many news sites, we haven’t put up a paywall because we want to keep our marine journalism open.

Afloat.ie is Ireland's only full–time marine journalism team and it takes time, money and hard work to produce our content.

So you can see why we need to ask for your help.

If everyone chipped in, we can enhance our coverage and our future would be more secure. You can help us through a small donation. Thank you.

About Dublin Port

Dublin Port is Ireland’s largest and busiest port with approximately 17,000 vessel movements per year. As well as being the country’s largest port, Dublin Port has the highest rate of growth and, in the seven years to 2019, total cargo volumes grew by 36.1%.

The vision of Dublin Port Company is to have the required capacity to service the needs of its customers and the wider economy safely, efficiently and sustainably. Dublin Port will integrate with the City by enhancing the natural and built environments. The Port is being developed in line with Masterplan 2040.

Dublin Port Company is currently investing about €277 million on its Alexandra Basin Redevelopment (ABR), which is due to be complete by 2021. The redevelopment will improve the port's capacity for large ships by deepening and lengthening 3km of its 7km of berths. The ABR is part of a €1bn capital programme up to 2028, which will also include initial work on the Dublin Port’s MP2 Project - a major capital development project proposal for works within the existing port lands in the northeastern part of the port.

Dublin Port has also recently secured planning approval for the development of the next phase of its inland port near Dublin Airport. The latest stage of the inland port will include a site with the capacity to store more than 2,000 shipping containers and infrastructures such as an ESB substation, an office building and gantry crane.

Dublin Port Company recently submitted a planning application for a €320 million project that aims to provide significant additional capacity at the facility within the port in order to cope with increases in trade up to 2040. The scheme will see a new roll-on/roll-off jetty built to handle ferries of up to 240 metres in length, as well as the redevelopment of an oil berth into a deep-water container berth.

Dublin Port FAQ

How old is Dublin Port?

Dublin was little more than a monastic settlement until the Norse invasion in the 8th and 9th centuries when they selected the Liffey Estuary as their point of entry to the country as it provided relatively easy access to the central plains of Ireland. Trading with England and Europe followed which required port facilities, so the development of Dublin Port is inextricably linked to the development of Dublin City, so it is fair to say the origins of the Port go back over one thousand years. As a result, the modern organisation Dublin Port has a long and remarkable history, dating back over 300 years from 1707.

Where was the original Dublin Port located?

The original Port of Dublin was situated upriver, a few miles from its current location near the modern Civic Offices at Wood Quay and close to Christchurch Cathedral. The Port remained close to that area until the new Custom House opened in the 1790s. In medieval times Dublin shipped cattle hides to Britain and the continent, and the returning ships carried wine, pottery and other goods.

How big is Dublin Port?

510 acres. The modern Dublin Port is located either side of the River Liffey, out to its mouth. On the north side of the river, the central part (205 hectares or 510 acres) of the Port lies at the end of East Wall and North Wall, from Alexandra Quay.

Who owns Dublin Port?

Dublin Port Company is a State-owned commercial company responsible for operating and developing Dublin Port.

What is Dublin Port Company?

Dublin Port Company is a self-financing, and profitable private limited company wholly-owned by the State, whose business is to manage Dublin Port, Ireland's premier Port. Established as a corporate entity in 1997, Dublin Port Company is responsible for the management, control, operation and development of the Port.

Name someone famous connected to Dublin Port?

Captain William Bligh (of Mutiny of the Bounty fame) was a visitor to Dublin in 1800, and his visit to the capital had a lasting effect on the Port. Bligh's study of the currents in Dublin Bay provided the basis for the construction of the North Wall. This undertaking led to the growth of Bull Island to its present size.

Is Dublin the largest Port in Ireland?

Yes. Dublin Port is the largest freight and passenger port in Ireland. It handles almost 50% of all trade in the Republic of Ireland.

Who handles the Cargo in Dublin Port?

All cargo handling activities being carried out by private sector companies operating in intensely competitive markets within the Port. Dublin Port Company provides world-class facilities, services, accommodation and lands in the harbour for ships, goods and passengers.

Who is the Chief Executive of Dublin Port?

Eamonn O'Reilly is the Dublin Port Chief Executive.

Who is the Harbour Master of Dublin Port?

Capt. Michael McKenna is the Dublin Port Harbour Master

How many passengers come through Dublin Port each year?

In 2019, 1,949,229 people came through the Port.

How many cruise liners arrive in Dublin Port?

In 2019, there were 158 cruise liner visits.

How many tonnes of exports were shipped by Dublin Port?

In 2019, 9.4 million gross tonnes of exports were handled by Dublin Port.

How many ships arrive at Dublin Port each year?

In 2019, there were 7,898 ship arrivals.

What is the total throughput of goods at Dublin Port?

In 2019, there was a gross tonnage of 38.1 million.

How many tourist vehicles come through Dublin Port?

In 2019, there were 559,506 tourist vehicles.

How many trade vehicles come through Dublin Port?

There were 98,897 lorries in 2019

Can pleasure craft enter Dublin Port?

Boats can navigate the River Liffey into Dublin by using the navigational guidelines. Find the guidelines on this page here.

What is the VHF Channel for Dublin Port control?

VHF channel 12. Commercial vessels using Dublin Port or Dun Laoghaire Port typically have a qualified pilot or certified master with proven local knowledge on board. They "listen out" on VHF channel 12 when in Dublin Port's jurisdiction.

Is there a Dublin Bay webcam?

A Dublin Bay webcam showing the south of the Bay at Dun Laoghaire and a distant view of Dublin Port Shipping is here

What is Dublin Port’s 'distributed museum'?

Dublin Port is creating a distributed museum on its lands in Dublin City.  A Liffey Tolka Project cycle and pedestrian way is the key to link the elements of this distributed museum together. The distributed museum starts at the Diving Bell and, over the course of 6.3km, will give Dubliners a real sense of the City, the Port and the Bay. For visitors, it will be a unique eye-opening stroll and vista through and alongside one of Europe’s busiest ports: Diving Bell along Sir John Rogerson’s Quay over the Samuel Beckett Bridge, past the Scherzer Bridge and down the North Wall Quay campshire to Berth 18 - 1.2 km. Liffey Tolka Project - Tree-lined pedestrian and cycle route between the River Liffey and the Tolka Estuary - 1.4 km with a 300-metre spur along Alexandra Road to The Pumphouse (to be completed by Q1 2021) and another 200 metres to The Flour Mill. Tolka Estuary Greenway - Construction of Phase 1 (1.9 km) starts in December 2020 and will be completed by Spring 2022. Phase 2 (1.3 km) will be delivered within the following five years. The Pumphouse is a heritage zone being created as part of the Alexandra Basin Redevelopment Project. The first phase of 1.6 acres will be completed in early 2021 and will include historical port equipment and buildings and a large open space for exhibitions and performances. It will be expanded in a subsequent phase to incorporate the Victorian Graving Dock No. 1 which will be excavated and revealed.   The largest component of the distributed museum will be The Flour Mill. This involves the redevelopment of the former Odlums Flour Mill on Alexandra Road based on a masterplan completed by Grafton Architects to provide a mix of port operational uses, a National Maritime Archive, two 300 seat performance venues, working and studio spaces for artists and exhibition spaces. The Flour Mill will be developed in stages over the remaining twenty years of Masterplan 2040 alongside major port infrastructure projects.