THE 25 BEST Cruises to Belfast 2024 with Prices Belfast Cruise Port Terminal on Cruise Critic
Belfast Castle is a historic castle that has been converted into a museum and event venue. Visitors can explore the castle’s history and enjoy stunning views of Belfast and the surrounding countryside. Cruise Admin is a team of experienced writers passionate about cruising. They provide comprehensive and honest information to fellow cruise enthusiasts, sharing insider tips and practical advice to help readers plan and enjoy their cruise vacations to the fullest. When not writing, the Cruise Admin team loves exploring new destinations and seeking out unique cultural experiences.
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If you don’t want to do much walking, though, there is plenty of public transportation to help you find your way around. In conclusion, Belfast is a destination that embodies the perfect harmony of history, culture, natural beauty, and warm hospitality. Whether you’re visiting for a day or longer, the city and its surroundings offer a captivating and enriching experience that will leave a lasting impression.
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Visitors can explore the castle’s history and enjoy stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Plan to spend some time exploring Belfast’s top tourist attractions before or after your cruise, such as the Titanic Belfast, Crumlin Road Gaol, and Ulster Museum. The best time to visit Belfast is between May and September when the weather is mild and the days are long. However, this is also the peak tourist season, so expect larger crowds and higher prices.
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The cathedral is located around a 10-minute walk north of the City Hall. The port of Belfast is also one of the largest ferry ports serving the routes to Douglas (Isle of Man), Liverpool (England), Birkenhead (England), Cairnryan (Scotland), and a few other ports depending on the season. The majority of ferries are operated by Stena Line, one of the largest ferry companies in the world.
Belfast, NI, UK cruises
For those who prefer to explore the city or venture further afield, the port offers convenient transportation options. Taxis and private car services are readily available just outside the terminal, providing hassle-free transportation to your desired destinations. Additionally, the port’s close proximity to the city center makes it easy to reach popular attractions on foot or by public transportation. Welcome to Belfast, a vibrant and bustling city located in Northern Ireland. With its rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and warm hospitality, Belfast has become a popular destination for cruise ship passengers. Whether you are visiting for a day or staying for a few nights, Belfast offers a wealth of attractions and experiences that will captivate and engage you.
Belfast Harbour Welcomes 2 Millionth Cruise Ship Visitor as NCL's Norwegian Dawn Docks - ITTN
Belfast Harbour Welcomes 2 Millionth Cruise Ship Visitor as NCL's Norwegian Dawn Docks.
Posted: Tue, 09 May 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
The top visitor attraction in Northern Ireland is the Giants Causeway. Considered by many to be the eighth wonder of the world, the Giants Causeway is well worth the effort to get to it. The elaborate public garden was born as a private Royal Belfast Botanical Garden in 1828 and was opened to the public in 1895. It covers 28 acres, and its main feature is an elegant domed conservatory known as “The Palm House”, a greenhouse that can be visited and where you can see various types of tropical plants. There are about 2000 murals scattered throughout Belfast, but it is in the Falls and Shankill neighborhoods that the most famous are found.
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The Titanic Memorial is in front of this Hall, standing high to tell the unfortunate story of the ship built in the nearby Harland & Wolff shipyard. So, if you’re looking to venture beyond Belfast and uncover the captivating beauty of Northern Ireland, these nearby excursions provide the perfect opportunity to do so. The shipyard's main facilities are two of Europe's largest drydocks - with a capacity to handle vessels with LOA length 556 m (1824 ft) and 335 m (1099 ft) - plus several fully-serviced berths. "Harland and Wolff Heavy Industries" is a major construction company specializing in shipbuilding and ship repairs, as well as design, structural engineering, offshore projects. The company is most famous for building the White Star Line sisterships RMS Olympic (1911), RMS Titanic (1912) and HMHS Britannic (1915).
Some of the top restaurants near the port include Mourne Seafood Bar, Deanes at Queen’s, and The Ginger Bistro. Belfast is quickly becoming a culinary hot spot thanks to a new array of restaurants that offer trendy settings and haute cuisine. That, combined with traditional British taverns and Irish pubs, makes it a fun place to dine no matter what your taste buds are in the mood for.
Harland & Wolff Shipyard (Belfast)
Located in the Titanic Quarter, the same place where the Titanic was built in 1912, this museum is one of the icons of Belfast and one of the main tourist attractions of the city. This gigantic museum opened its doors in 2012 and is completely dedicated to the history of the ship. In 2016, the museum was crowned the best world tourist attraction by the World Travel Awards. There was a time when the name Belfast raised an immediate red flag to visitors, but these days, the town's highly publicized political unrest has greatly subsided.
The new passenger terminal's berth was dredged to allow docking to even the world's largest cruise vessels. Following the COVID crisis, in 2022 (April through November) the Port handled 141 cruise ship calls (52 different vessels from 33 companies, including 18 maiden/first visits) and 250,000+ tourists. Until 2019, the port's largest cruise liner (by passenger capacity) was Celebrity Reflection (max 3655 pax plus 1000 crew). On September 26th (2019) here docked MSC Meraviglia (2017-built) carrying 5386 passengers from 30+ countries.
The new cruise terminal was inaugurated/officially opened on July 29, 2019, during the port call of Crown Princess. The ceremony was attended by Councillor John Finucane (Lord Mayor of Belfast), John McGrillen (Tourism NI's CEO), Gerry Lennon (Visit Belfast's CEO) and Domenico Lubrano Lavadera (Crown Princess ship's Captain). Belfast is served by two airports - George Best Belfast City Airport (within the city) and Belfast International Airport (approx 15 mi / 24 km to the west). Belfast Harbour is a major seaport, with industrial and commercial docks dominating the coastline.
Fun fact is that there is a port town in the USA's state Maine (Waldo County) with the same name - Belfast ME. Belfast has a long history as a departure port, dating back to the 19th century when it was a major shipbuilding center. The port played a key role in the Titanic’s construction, and the port’s rich shipping history can be seen in the Titanic Quarter. The port has since undergone significant modernization, and today, it offers state-of-the-art facilities that accommodate large cruise liners. Belfast’s dining scene offers something for everyone, whether you’re craving traditional Irish pub fare, fresh seafood, gourmet cuisine, or inventive vegetarian and vegan options. The city’s shopping opportunities are equally enticing, with a blend of high street brands, local markets, and independent boutiques offering unique treasures and local crafts.
Meraviglia visited Northern Ireland as part of the 17-day Transatlantic crossing from Germany to the USA (RepositionCruises.com). Belfast Harbour (port locode GBBEL) is currently ranked the UK's fastest-growing seaport. Statistics show 35 cruise ship calls and handled 54,800 passengers (in 2010), 43 boats (in 2012), up to 84 boats and 143,500 passengers in 2016 (21% over 2015). Belfast Harbour is Northern Ireland's principal maritime gateway and logistics hub, serving the Northern Ireland economy and increasingly that of the Republic of Ireland. Belfast Port is conveniently located close to the motorway network off junction 1 of the M2 motorway, offering easy access from Belfast city centre and the rest of Ireland.
This gastropub is one of the oldest pubs in Belfast and is worth stopping by for a pint or a succulent meal. The building was built in the Victorian style and is known for its rustic wooden interior decoration featuring carved mahogany booths, etched glass, and gas lamps from the 1800s. It is the most famous pub in Belfast and today it has become one of the symbols of the city because it’s the only pub in the country to be declared a national monument. The pub is located in the heart of the city, only 5 minutes walking distance from the City Hall. The driving distance between any of the Belfast cruise terminals and the Titanic Museum is approximately 7 – 10 minutes.
Whether you have a few hours or a few days to explore, be sure to make the most of your time and immerse yourself in the wonders that Belfast has to offer. In addition to shopping, the port also features several dining options. Whether you are looking for a quick snack or a full meal, you will find a selection of cafes and restaurants offering a variety of cuisines to satisfy your culinary cravings.
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