Port of Aberdeen sets sail for a historic year
Port of Aberdeen is preparing for a landmark year with nearly a 30% surge in cruise calls and the return of the world-renowned Tall Ships Races.
The port is set to host *63 cruise calls during the 2025 season, running from April to September, bringing up to 40,000 guests to the city and shire.
Major cruise line Viking will kick off the season with the arrival of Viking Vela on the 3 April, and is set to make multiple visits throughout the season, highlighting Aberdeen's rising status as a must-visit destination for travellers.
Viking Vela Cruise Ship (Photo credit: Viking)
“We’re delighted to have added Aberdeen as a new port of call on some of our British Isles and Scandinavian itineraries and we are looking forward to our first ever visit in April this year. The Viking Vela, our newest ocean ship which was launched in early December 2024, will be the first ship in our fleet to visit Aberdeen and we know she will receive a very warm welcome.”
Costa Cruises and AIDA will return to the city, including maiden calls from sister vessels, AIDAbella and AIDAluna, both 252-metres long, and bringing in over 4,000 guests and crew between them. The magnificent Costa Favolosa, the largest vessel to ever visit Aberdeen, will also return to the port’s South Harbour.
The Fred. Olsen Borealis cruise ship will sail into the port for the first time, marking the cruise line’s inaugural visit to Aberdeen. At 238-meters long, the remarkable ship can carry over 1,300 passengers.
“Another record-breaking year of bookings and a diverse lineup of visiting vessels set the stage for continued growth in the years ahead. With impressive ships scheduled to make multiple calls, including maiden visits from Viking and Fred.Olsen, Aberdeen is further solidifying its reputation as a premier destination in the global cruise market.”
At the height of the cruise season, The Tall Ships Races is expected to attract 400,000 visits as it returns to the city after nearly 30 years. Both the cruise season and the world-class event are expected to provide a significant economic boost for local businesses and the hospitality industry.
Councillor Martin Greig, Chair of Aberdeen's Organising Committee for Tall Ships 2025, said: "The recent increase in cruise ship visits and tourist numbers is really giving our area a major boost. The economic benefits are very substantial. It's great to be able to showcase the city to new international audiences.”
The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 1991 (Photo credit: DC Thomson)
Local business Charles Michie’s Pharmacy has already gone above and beyond to ensure cruise guests have the best possible experience when visiting Aberdeen. From investing in multilingual welcome boards to curating a selection of Scottish and Aberdeen-themed gifts, the pharmacy is dedicated to making visitors feel at home—and is now preparing to welcome the many guests the Tall Ships will bring to the city.
Rosemary Michie, Manager, Charles Michies Pharmacy, said: “We have been delighted to welcome cruise guests as they arrive in ever greater numbers, and we are extremely excited to welcome the Tall Ships when they arrive later in the summer. We have created a programme of events specifically to mark the occasion, including talks related to Aberdeen’s rich maritime history and workshops exploring the city’s link to the sea.”
Adrian Watson, CEO, Aberdeen Inspired said: “The boost to the city centre will only grow in years to come as the cruise ship sector secures its place as a welcome and significant driver in Aberdeen’s economy, helping the Granite City weather the tough times we are facing at the moment and sail on to thrive in the future.”
To further support local businesses in capitalising on the influx of tourists, Port of Aberdeen and VisitAberdeenshire will host community Q&A sessions, ensuring they are well-prepared to offer an informed welcome to guests. Additionally, VisitAberdeenshire’s volunteers will be stationed at the port to guide guests on the many attractions in the city.
“Authentic, people-led experiences across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire are attracting the attention of cruise lines, and as a result, are placing the region on their itineraries in 2025/26. Once again, our volunteers will be back on the quayside, providing the all-important warm North-east welcome, enhancing the experience for arriving visitors.”
View the 2025 cruise call schedule here.
*Cruise calls are accurate at time of publication.
