This year has marked a record-breaking year for the number of cruise passengers visiting the shores of the Isle of Man.
Visit Isle of Man is celebrating an extraordinary cruise season, delivering increased visitor numbers and economic impact. The season welcomed 47 cruise ship calls, including nine maiden voyages, bringing 26,357 passengers to the Island, an increase of 21% on last year’s cruise passenger numbers, with 43 cruise ships welcomed to the Isle of Man in 2024.
The record-breaking season generated an estimated £2.3m in economic contributions, through port and passenger spend across the Island's tourism, hospitality and retail sectors.
Passengers embraced the full breadth of the Island's offering, from heritage sites, guided walking and golfing tours, travelling on the Manx Electric and Steam Railways to newly opened attractions such as Ballacosnahan Farm providing unique farm experiences.
The authentic Manx experience extended to onboard dining, with local business Robinsons supplying Compagnie du Ponant's Le Bellot with lobster sustainably caught by local fishermen for passengers to enjoy during their voyage.
Deborah Heather, CEO of Visit Isle of Man, commented:
‘We are delighted with this record-breaking season, which demonstrates the growing international recognition of the Isle of Man as a cruise destination. This success reflects the exceptional collaboration between government departments, contractors, volunteers, and local stakeholders and has generated significant benefits across the Island.’
Sarah Maltby MHK, Political Member with responsibility for Tourism, Motorsport and Heritage, added:
‘We’re delighted with this exceptional season. Cruise visits not only deliver valuable economic benefits for local businesses but also provides a platform to showcase the Isle of Man’s unique offering to a global audience. Cruise visitors become ambassadors for our Island, sharing their experiences and encouraging future visits. This strong growth in cruise tourism reinforces our position as an essential destination within cruise itineraries across the British Isles.’
This impressive growth coincides with the British Isles cruise region receiving international acclaim, as Cruise Britain and Cruise Ireland were jointly named Destination of the Year at the esteemed 2025 Seatrade Cruise Awards. This award highlights the outstanding cruise experiences offered throughout the British Isles.
This year, the Visit Isle of Man team personally welcomed every maiden voyage to the Island, greeting captains and crews, exchanging plaques, and extending a warm welcome to passengers with the support of our dedicated grounds team and cruise volunteers.
These figures do not include crew members, many of whom also disembark and contribute to the local economy through their onshore spending. Visit Isle of Man remains committed to working alongside cruise industry partners to build upon this record-breaking success, securing the Isle of Man's position as a must-visit destination for future seasons. They are also seeking cruise volunteers for the 2026 season, to help provide a warm Manx welcome to arriving cruise passengers. For anyone interested in becoming a cruise volunteer, please email cruise@gov.im for further information.
