Sarah Bretz, ContributorPortsmouth International Port has announced its cruise schedule for 2025, which will feature its highest number of cruise ship calls to date.
Over the next 12 months, 94 cruise ships are scheduled to sail into Portsmouth harbor. The year will also include the debut of the UK’s first shore power system, which will provide clean energy for multiple vessels across multiple berths at the same time.
Each cruise call can generate up to 1.5 million pounds (around 1.86 million USD) for the city’s economy through passenger spend and berthing charges. As a local authority-owned port, profit goes back into Portsmouth City Council. This also means that the port benefits from working with businesses and stakeholders to keep cruise tourism local and increase spend across the city’s attractions.
“The international port is a vital part of our city’s infrastructure and history, generating £9.2million in profit, which goes directly back into council services,” said Leader of Portsmouth City Council Steve Pitt. “I am delighted to see that 2025 will be another successful year for cruise at the port. Every year cruise calls increase, boosting local tourism and continuing to raise the profile of Portsmouth among global brands. The port is also making bold steps in sustainability with an aim to be emissions free by 2050, through ground-breaking shore power technology. Portsmouth is at the forefront of the UK port industry.”
Regular season turnaround calls from Fred. Olsen and Saga Cruises will continue to top and end the year, with Fred. Olsen’s Borealis marking its first 2025 call tomorrow, January 4th. It will take passengers on a voyage to the Caribbean.
A number of maiden calls will also take place in 2025 from lines including Silversea, Swan Hellenic, and Crystal Cruises. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s ship Ilma will also operate her inaugural British Isles voyage from Portsmouth in July.
Viking’s new ship Viking Vela will make her first call on January 9th, fresh from her inaugural voyage in December.
The schedule will also include some familiar vessels, including Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady. Scarlet Lady marked the start of Portsmouth’s partnership with Virgin Voyages in 2021, when the brand launched from the city. 2024 saw Portsmouth become the first port in the world to welcome all three of the line’s “lady” ships when Resilient Lady made her debut from the city.
Comments
Have you ever taken a cruise from the UK? What’s your favorite homeport you’ve ever sailed from? Drop us an anchor below and let us know!
