Port of Cork marks cruise season finale with MSC Virtuosa
Over 160,000 passengers welcomed across 95 cruise calls in 2026
The Port of Cork Company’s 2026 cruise season is expected to conclude with approximately 160,000 passenger visits across 95 cruise calls, as the MSC Virtuosa arrives at Cobh Cruise Terminal on Friday, 16th October. The Virtuosa, a 16-deck vessel with capacity for over 6,300 passengers and 1,700 crew, has become a regular visitor to Cork in recent years.
The 2026 season included six maiden calls, with cruise vessels visiting Cobh, Ringaskiddy and Cork City Quays. MSC Virtuosa’s arrival will mark the final scheduled call of the season at Ireland’s only dedicated cruise berth in Cobh. This year’s positive performance reflects continued demand from international cruise lines to include Cork as a must-visit destination on North European itineraries. Cobh continued to attract the highest volume of cruise arrivals this year, hosting 76 calls, with Ringaskiddy hosting 13 calls, and Cork City hosting six calls.
Bantry Bay also welcomed nine cruise vessels in 2026, bringing more than 6,000 passengers to West Cork between April and August.
The visit of the MSC Virtuosa will be one of three partial turnaround calls the Port of Cork facilitated over the 2026 season, involving passengers beginning or ending their cruises in Cork. These calls provide a platform for exploring the potential to develop a greater turnaround capability, which will have significant benefits for local tourism.
Increased turnaround activity at the Port of Cork would represent a major strategic opportunity for the wider tourism economy. It would substantially increase visitor dwell time and generate additional economic activity across accommodation, food services, retail, transport and visitor attractions throughout the region.
Cruise tourism continues to deliver significant economic value for the region, contributing an estimated €17 million annually, with average onshore spending of €81 per passenger and €29 per crew member.
Paul Hegarty, Chief Commercial Officer at the Port of Cork Company, said: “Cruise tourism brings visitors directly into Cobh and the wider Cork region, supporting local businesses and showcasing Cork to an international audience. This season reflects the continued appeal of Cork as a premium cruise destination and the importance of the welcome provided by our communities and tourism partners.
“The three partial turnaround calls scheduled this year highlight an opportunity to build on our established cruise business. Our ambition is to attract more activity that encourages visitors to stay longer and experience more of what Cork and the wider southern region have to offer. Realising this ambition will require investment to terminal facilities to deliver modern infrastructure and transport connectivity through further collaboration with Irish Rail and Cork Airport.”
Hegarty continued: “As we conclude the 2026 cruise season, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to our port teams, local businesses, tourism partners and the communities across Cobh and the wider harbour. Their continued support and hospitality have been central to delivering another successful season and creating memorable experiences for the thousands of visitors who arrived in Cork this year.”
The development of Cork as a turnaround cruise port aligns with the Government’s tourism policy objective of extending the tourism season from St Brigid’s Day through to Halloween, helping to spread the benefits of international tourism across a longer period of the year.
Colin Morehead, President of Cobh and Harbour Chamber, said: “2026 has been another exceptional year for Cobh and the wider harbour community, highlighting the vital role cruise tourism plays in our local economy. Cobh and Cork Harbour are Ireland’s national gateway for cruise tourism, with passengers and crew stepping directly into a town rich in character, heritage and visitor appeal. This is a unique competitive advantage, and importantly, the economic benefit of cruise tourism is geographically concentrated, with passengers and crew spending directly in our local shops, restaurants, cafés, attractions and transport services.
“Cruise tourism supports jobs and provides vital business for local retailers, hospitality operators, tour providers and family businesses across Cobh and the harbour. The benefits are felt directly in our community, bringing footfall, energy and opportunity to local businesses. We are proud of the experience we offer international visitors and look forward to welcoming an even more diverse range of cruise passengers to Cobh in 2027.”
The 2026 season began on 13th April with the maiden call of AIDAluna, a 2,500-passenger Sphinx-class vessel operated by AIDA Cruises. The schedule also featured multiple visits from Majestic Princess, Ambience, Seabourn Ovation, Celebrity Eclipse, Nieuw Statendam, MSC Preziosa, Spirit of Adventure, and Le Laperouse, among others.
The Port of Cork’s 2027 cruise schedule will be announced early next year.