By
Kasturi Datta |
Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam has become the largest cruise ship to visit Northern Ireland’s Foyle Port, which also recorded its highest ever single-day number of passengers and crew on 8 June 2026.
With capacity for 2,666 guests and 1,053 crew, Nieuw Statendam brought its passengers to Foyle Port as part of Holland America Line’s 28-day ‘Arctic Circle & British Isles Collector’s Voyage’. The itinerary will call at numerous ports in Norway, the Netherlands, Scotland, Ireland and the UK.
“Welcoming the Nieuw Statendam is a landmark moment for Foyle Port and for the wider northwest region, and a reflection of the significant work that has gone into developing this destination for major international operators,” said Bill McCann, harbour master and operations director at Foyle Port.
The cruise line has already confirmed the ship will return for scheduled visits in 2027, 2028 and 2029.
Noel O'Driscoll, captain of Nieuw Stantendam and Bill McCann, operations director and harbour master at Foyle Port commemorated the ship's inaugural call with with a plaque exchange
“Bringing close to 3,700 passengers and crew to the region in a single visit is a record for us, and the fact that Holland America has already committed to returning for the next three years tells its own story about the confidence that leading cruise lines now have in our port facilities and local tourism offering,” said McCann.
Foyle Port’s tourism offering has played a significant role in the increasing number of visitors. Cruise passengers can choose from a range of shore excursions which focus on the region’s Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, museums and more. A live production of Celtic music and dance, Celtic Grá, is a new addition to this season’s offering.
“Calling at Foyle Port offers a wonderful opportunity for our guests to experience the history, culture and landscapes that make Northern Ireland so special,” said Karen Farndel, associate vice president of sales and marketing at Holland America Line. “We are committed to connecting guests more deeply with the destinations we visit, while caring for the local communities and natural environments that make these journeys so meaningful.”