Wonderful evening escapade starting at Madinat Jumeirah to the musical fountains to see another. Wonderful evening escapade starting at Madinat Jumeirah to the musical fountains to see another
Give a great end to your day in Dubai with our premium evening Red Dune Desert Safari. Give a great end to your day in Dubai with our premium evening Red Dune Desert Safari.
Admission to Dubai’s biggest, multicultural festival park with replicas of iconic landmarks. Admission to Dubai’s biggest, multicultural festival park with replicas of iconic landmarks
Awesome night venture beginning at Madinat Jumeirah to the melodic wellsprings to see another. Awesome night venture beginning at Madinat Jumeirah to the melodic wellsprings to see another
Give an extraordinary finish to your day in Dubai with our premium night Red Hill Desert Safari. Give an incredible end to your day in Dubai with our exceptional night Red Hill Desert Safari.
Admission to Dubai's greatest, multicultural celebration park with copies of notable milestones. Admission to Dubai's greatest, multicultural celebration park with copies of notable milestones
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With its dramatic coastlines and rich maritime heritage, Northern Ireland attracts over 5 million visitors annually according to Tourism NI's 2025 report. This comprehensive guide combines local expertise with cruise industry insights to reveal 35 must-visit locations. Recent surveys show 92% of cruise passengers extend their stay to experience:
Northern Ireland's cruise tourism sector has grown 42% since 2019, with Belfast cruise port now ranked among Europe's top 10 turnaround ports. Our Northern Ireland travel guide reveals how cruise passengers can maximize their time ashore, from Game of Thrones filming locations to UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Discover why Antrim Coast road trips are being combined with Irish Sea cruise vacations for the ultimate Northern Ireland itinerary.
The marine sector contributes £1.8 billion annually according to NISRA 2025 data:
| Industry | Revenue | Cruise Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Tourism | £1.2B | £58M from cruise passengers |
| Fishing | £250M | Supplies 15 cruise lines |
| Marine Tech | £350M | Innovations used by Carnival Corp |
| Port | Cruise Lines | Season | Passenger Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belfast | All major lines | Mar-Nov | Oasis-class ships |
| Londonderry | Premium/luxury | May-Sep | Up to 2,000 pax |
| Bangor | Seabourn, Silversea | Jun-Aug | Tender only |
| Rank | Destination | Cruise Excursion | Local Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Giant's Causeway | Available from all Belfast ships | Visit at sunrise to avoid crowds |
| 2 | Dark Hedges | Royal Caribbean exclusive | Weekday mornings for photos |
| 3 | Mount Stewart Gardens | Celebrity Cruises | May for rhododendron blooms |
| 4 | The Gobbins Cliff Path | Small ship excursions | Book guided walks in advance |
Northern Ireland's Antrim Coast road was named one of the world's top scenic drives by National Geographic. Cruise passengers can experience highlights on shore excursions or combine with a pre/post-cruise stay:
| Excursion | Duration | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Giant's Causeway Express | 4hrs | £45-£65 | First-time visitors |
| Titanic & Game of Thrones Combo | 6hrs | £75-£95 | Pop culture fans |
| Bushmills Distillery VIP | 3hrs | £55-£85 | Luxury passengers |
Pro Tip: Northern Ireland uses the British Pound (£). While cards are widely accepted, having some cash is useful for smaller vendors and tips.
"Taste of Ulster" food trail with 5 Michelin-starred stops
Exclusive Derry Girls themed walking tours
| Cruise Line | Ship Size | Unique Offering | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Caribbean | 3,000-5,400 pax | Game of Thrones studio | Families |
| Silversea | 200-600 pax | Private castle visits | Luxury |
| Norwegian | 2,000-4,000 pax | Giant's Causeway at sunset | Couples |
