Port of Aberdeen celebrates another busy cruise season
Port of Aberdeen celebrated the end of another safe and successful cruise season with a record-breaking number of cruise calls in 2024.
Port of Aberdeen welcomed 51 cruise calls from April to September, up by 18% compared with 2023. This included a new size and scale of vessels berthing in South Harbour including the 245-metre Ambience, the 254-metre AIDAsol, and the largest vessel the port has ever welcomed in its 888-year history, the Costa Favolosa.
The 290-metre Costa Cruises ship, measuring in at 113,307 gross tonnage, brought 8,000 guests and crew to the city over two cruise calls.
“2024 has been another successful year for cruise. The port can now accept around 90% of the global cruise fleet, and we will see more of the larger vessels visiting the region over the coming years.”
The guest experience was enhanced this year with Alba Bagpipes joining VisitAberdeenshire’s ‘Welcome to Aberdeenshire’ volunteers on the quayside to give a warm, world-class welcome.
VisitAberdeenshire’s volunteers play a significant role in welcoming and assisting guests in discovering what Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire has to offer, from exploring the city by foot to excursions to Balmoral.
Rikki Evans, Owner, Alba Bagpipes, said: “It has been amazing to provide entertainment for thousands of visitors to Aberdeen. The passengers have absolutely loved it and seeing their smiles when disembarking is just lovely.”
“Aberdeen’s cruise season reflects our offer as a city – award-winning cultural attractions, unique heritage, a glorious natural landscape, and some of Scotland’s finest hospitality.”
Port of Aberdeen looks forward to working with its regional partners as the offering for cruise lines and guests continues to grow.
