Published on
August 24, 2025
Belfast Harbour and Visit Belfast are to be commended for hosting the inaugural Cruise Europe Port Exchange & Educational Programme – an initiative meant to develop partnerships and exchange knowledge among professionals in the cruise industry. The program welcomed a substantive and participative cross-section of 13 members from Cruise Europe, including people from as far away as Gdansk, Poland, and Reykjavik, Iceland. The event sought to demonstrate the role Belfast and the participants are seen as exercising in the cruise industry, share practices, and learn from each other.
An Integrated Overview of the Cruise Activities in Belfast
The first session provided an in-depth overview of the Belfast Harbour cruise port operations, including the role of the port in the cruise industry and other related sectors. The attendees had the opportunity to learn about not only the operations, but also the planning of marketing cruise tourism to increase the port’s capacity and offerings. The participants were then taken around the cruise terminal and the Belfast Harbour Estate. This provided them with a glimpse of the modern facilities that entice cruise operators from all over the globe to include Belfast in their cruise itineraries.
The Norwegian Dawn provided a portion of the program’s education component, where participants could appreciate the growing partnership between the cruise lines and Belfast Harbour. Given that the port is one of the key cruise ports in Northern Ireland, it has been growing steadily. This program, in particular, has been a helpful reminder of the port’s increasing significance in the international cruise industry.
Afternoon Interactive Classes and Joint Workshops
The objectives of the afternoon classes included the enhancement of imagination and teamwork. The participants were divided into two competing groups and tasked with sketching the cruise berth and terminal of their dreams. This practical workshop made it possible for the participants to use their unique perspectives and skills derived from their different cultures to design cruise infrastructure.
Along with their design sketches, the participants stressed the necessity of improving the cruise ports in a way that the cities and regions that host the port also receive maximum tourist benefits. This group work reinforced the need for balanced and ecologically sustainable development in the cruise industry, both at the ports and in the local communities.
Belfast’s Symbols and Summary: Must-Sees
As part of the program, the organizers aimed to ensure that participants experienced Belfast’s culture to the fullest by visiting the city’s renowned attractions, including the world-class museum Titanic Belfast. This museum tells the story of the Titanic, one of the most famous ships in the world. The exhibition was constructed in the city where the Titanic was built, making it a fundamental part of the story. Belfast has a rich and complex maritime history, which has evolved into one of the city’s major tourism highlights. The museum played a significant role in enhancing the experience with its extensive focus on maritime history.
To round up the tour, the group participated in the lighthearted activity of learning to pour Guinness. Most people associate the brand with beers, and Guinness is one of the most famous exports. Unlocking the mystery and history behind the brand was as enjoyable as drinking one of Northern Ireland’s brews, and allowing participants to pour it themselves was a great way to celebrate Belfast’s heritage and cuisine. The Last City Tour as Part of the Programme
As a part of the educational program, the participants attended an open-top bus tour of the city of Belfast. The tour helped deepen the participants’ appreciation of the city’s landmarks and cultural stories by providing them with an overview of the city. The participants had the opportunity to enjoy the scenic overview of the notable historic and cultural landmarks of the city.
Reflections from the Panel
Mr. Hall, a commercial executive at Belfast Harbour, shared his thoughts on the way the event had been conducted. He praised the level of engagement and enthusiasm among the participants, which he regarded as a hallmark of the programme’s success. In his remarks, he emphasized the notable impact that the participants’ eagerness to address the event’s diverse issues had on the value gained from the event.
Mr. Browne, a Business Development Support Manager at Port of Cork Company, stated that he is particularly impressed with the growth and diversification of the cruise business at Belfast Harbour. He specifically pointed out that the pace of progress in Belfast is remarkable and that the partnership of Belfast Harbour and Visit Belfast should be emulated by other destinations that seek to develop cruise tourism.
Marthe Andersen, the Commercial Manager with Port of Bodo, expressed her thoughts on the distinct scope of operations at Belfast Harbour. In her remarks, she mentioned that the Belfast Harbour estate, with its considerable area and enterprises, functioned as “a city within the city.” She was also insightful enough to note that there were lessons that smaller ports such as Bodo could learn from Belfast’s comprehensive strategies on cruise tourism and marketing.
Jonathan Winnan, the port operations manager at A&P Falmouth, also commended Belfast Harbour’s cooperation with Visit Belfast. He mentioned how active promotion of local sites to cruise companies was critical in fostering the fulfillment of the visitors to Belfast.
Looking to the Future of Cruise Tourism in Belfast
The achievements of Cruise Europe’s first Port Exchange & Educational Programme emphasize the expanding role of Belfast as a growing participant in the cruise industry. Due to its comprehensive infrastructure, rich cultural heritage, and vigorous engagement with cruise operators, Belfast is poised to be one of the leading destinations for cruise tourism in the coming years. The educational and networking components of the program were particularly valuable and offered a glimpse into the future of cruise tourism and port management.
With the innovation and development of offerings in the cruise industry, the events hosted, such as Port Exchange & Educational Programme, will be pivotal in determining the future of cruise tourism by helping ports all over the world learn from each other and collaborate to improve the global cruise experience.
Conclusion: A More Collaborative Cruise Industry
The hosting of the Cruise Europe Port Exchange & Educative Programme emphasises the increasing prominence of the city in the cruise industry, and thus, illustrates the importance of Belfast in the industry. Through collaboration and knowledge sharing between Belfast Harbour and Visit Belfast, the city has been positioned as an emerging hub in the cruise industry. More than showcasing the world-class infrastructure of the city, the event highlighted the importance of adopting a cruise industry tourism-wide collaboration and sustainable model not just for the industry, but also for the communities it impacts.
