The first cruise ship of 2025 to arrive in the Isle of Man

Visit Isle of Man is pleased to welcome the first cruise ship of the 2025 season to the Island’s shores on Saturday 26th April, officially launching what is expected to be a thriving year for the Isle of Man’s growing cruise tourism sector.

The arrival of Silver Endeavour, operated by Silversea Cruises, (calling at the Calf of Man where passengers will experience ‘zodiac’ wildlife boat tours), signals the start of a busy schedule, with over 50 cruise calls expected to the Island throughout 2025.

In 2024, the Isle of Man welcomed 43 cruise ships and 21,679 passengers, contributing an estimated spend of £1.8m, an increase of 28% compared to 2023. Current projections for the 2025 season indicate that up to 30,000 passengers may visit the Island, contributing an estimated £2.6m to the local economy.

Cruise tourism continues to play an important role in supporting the Isle of Man’s visitor economy, contributing valuable visitor spend and increasing the Island’s visibility as a distinctive destination. The continued development of the Island’s cruise offering is a key focus within Visit Isle of Man’s ten-year Visitor Economy Strategy, ‘Our Island, Our Future’, which sets out clear ambitions to sustainably grow visitor numbers, increase visitor spend, and diversify the Island’s tourism portfolio by attracting new markets.

Deborah Heather, CEO of Visit Isle of Man, commented:

‘It is great to see the continued growth in the number of cruise passengers and the increasing interest from world-class cruise operators in featuring the Isle of Man in their itineraries. Our whole nation Biosphere remains a major draw, offering visitors the chance to experience our diverse landscapes, unique wildlife, and thriving heritage and culture scene through a variety of guided tours and activities. From heritage walks to bespoke activities like beach clean-ups, demand for authentic, meaningful experiences continues to rise.

‘The Visit Isle of Man team will continue to work closely with our Cruise Consultants, and local partners and stakeholders, to ensure visitors enjoy memorable, distinctly Manx experiences that celebrate our Island and bring tangible benefits to the local visitor economy.’

Sarah Maltby MHK, Political Member with responsibility for Tourism, Motorsport and Heritage, added:

‘We’re delighted to welcome the first cruise ship of 2025. Cruise visits not only deliver valuable economic benefits for local businesses but also provide an important platform to showcase the Isle of Man’s extensive offering to a global audience. Each passenger that steps ashore has the potential to become an ambassador for our extraordinary Island, sharing their experience and encouraging others to discover what makes the Isle of Man so special. I look forward to personally welcoming a number of this season’s maiden voyages to the Island, offering visiting passengers a warm Manx welcome from the moment they arrive.’

Eight vessels will make their maiden voyage to the Isle of Man this year, including Carnival Miracle, Carnival Cruise Line, and Exploris One, a French cruise line operated by expedition company, Exploris Expeditions. The Island will also welcome returning vessels, including four scheduled arrivals from Holland American Line, Niew Statendam, with capacity for over 2,600 passengers.

Visit Isle of Man remains committed to working alongside the cruise industry and on-Island partners to enhance the Island’s cruise offering and continue to secure its position as a must-visit port for future seasons. They are also seeking cruise volunteers to help provide a warm Manx welcome to arriving cruise passengers. If anyone is interested in becoming a cruise volunteer, please email cruise@gov.im for further information.