Cork cruise season wraps up with more than 160,000 passenger visits in 2026 

The 2026 cruise season for the Port of Cork company concluded with the arrival of the MSC Virtuosa at Cobh cruise terminal last Friday.

The MSC Virtuosa, a 16 deck vessel with capacity for more than 6,300 passengers and 1,700 crew, has become a regular visitor to Leeside in recent years.

Overall in 2026 there were more than 160,000 passenger visits across 95 cruise calls to Cork.

Cobh continued to attract the highest volume of cruise ship arrivals this year hosting 76 calls, with Ringaskiddy hosting 13 calls and Cork city hosting six calls.

Bantry Bay also welcomed nine cruise vessels in 2026, bringing more than 6,000 passengers to West Cork between April and August.

Cruise tourism continues to deliver significant economic value for the Cork region, contributing an estimated €17m annually.

The Port of Cork’s 2027 cruise schedule will be announced early next year.