Dún Laoghaire anticipates over 80 cruise ship visits this year, bringing 137,000 passengers and 56,000 crew, slightly up from 2023 when 78 cruise ships called carrying 127,747 passengers and 58,121 crew.
The cruise industry has played a vital role in restoring Dún Laoghaire Harbour, and 43pc of passengers who tender ashore visit Dún Laoghaire Town and the surrounding area, generating income and job opportunities. Ships are unable to dock and must be tendered to shore.
Viking Cruises plan 21 and Norwegian Cruise Lines 10 visits. Nine ships will make their inaugural call to Dun Laoghaire. The longest cruise ship will be ‘MSC Preziosa’ at 333m long and with a capacity of 4,345 passengers and 1,313 crew ahead of the ‘Regal Princess’ 330m long, capacity of 3,592 passengers and 1,205 crew, which will make 16 visits.
