24 January 2025
Plymouth is expecting to welcome just under 12,000 passengers in 2025 as demand for cruising continues to rise.
It comes after the port saw almost 10,000 passengers arriving by sea last year, an increase of 40% on 2023.
The 2025 season will see the arrival of a number of ships, including Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambition, Saga Cruises’ Spirit of Adventure and Spirit of Discovery and, for the first time, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Pearl. Crystal’s Crystal Serenity will also call in Plymouth, as well as Hebridean Island Cruises’ Hebridean Princess, Oceania Cruises’ Vista and Sirena, and Silversea’s Silver Dawn.
Plymouth’s cruise season begins in March and runs through September, featuring visits from the UK, Germany and Norway as well as guests travelling from the USA.
Glen Gardner, Destination Plymouth’s cruise new business development manager, said: “Plymouth’s cruise business is really making us proud. Our international guests enjoy the city’s rich heritage, and we are famed for our warm welcome.
“This is reflected in our bookings, with numbers growing year-on-year, magnifying the city’s reputation on both a national and international level. This thriving cruise business has had a significant impact on Plymouth’s economy, driving revenue through local attractions, tours, retail, dining and harbour services.”
It comes after the port’s burgeoning cruise business brought in an extra £1.5 million to the city last year after bookings doubled compared with 2022. Data claimed that on average, each cruise visitor spent around £90, with the south west coast city and the surrounding economy also benefitting from additional income including port and pilotage fees and the spin-off spend associated with excursions.