The Port of Aberdeen has completed another record-breaking cruise season, welcoming around 54,000 cruise passengers in 2026, up 26% compared with the previous year.
A total of 71 cruise ship calls were recorded during the season, with almost half involving vessels measuring 220 metres or more in length.
The overall scale of visiting ships also increased significantly. Combined gross tonnage rose by 24% to nearly 2.5 million GT.
One of the highlights of the season was the maiden call of the 294-metre Norwegian Star, which became the longest cruise ship ever to visit Aberdeen.
In total, 13 cruise vessels made their first-ever call at the port during the season.
Aberdeen welcomed ships from across several segments of the cruise market, including expedition, luxury, premium and mainstream operators.
Viking was the port’s busiest cruise line in 2026, accounting for 21 calls over the course of the season.
According to Port of Aberdeen Chief Executive Bob Sanguinetti, cruise tourism is creating new opportunities not only for the port itself but also for businesses and communities across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
The port continues to work closely with VisitAberdeenshire through the CruiseAberdeenshire partnership, with the aim of attracting new cruise lines while strengthening relationships with existing operators.
Throughout the year, the destination was promoted at industry events across the UK, as well as in Gran Canaria, Miami and Reykjavik.
Interest from cruise operators continues to grow, with future calls at Aberdeen now booked as far ahead as 2033.
The increase in cruise traffic is also generating additional spending across local shops, restaurants, attractions and tourism businesses.
At Greyhope Bay, operators have reported a noticeable increase in turnover on days when cruise ships are berthed at South Harbour. The extra revenue has helped support local events, activities and community projects.
The growth of cruise tourism has also encouraged the development of new guided coastal tours focused on local history, wildlife and regional attractions.
Cruise passengers have also been regular visitors to the Garioch Heritage Centre in Inverurie, where volunteer guides introduce guests to the history, culture and way of life of north-east Scotland.
The Welcome to Aberdeenshire volunteer programme also continued to expand. During the 2026 season, 42 volunteers contributed around 1,250 hours, welcoming cruise passengers and offering advice to visitors arriving in the region.
The programme received regional recognition for its contribution to tourism and volunteering.
Passengers were also welcomed with traditional Scottish music and dancing, with Alba Bagpipes helping create a distinctive arrival experience for visiting cruise ships.
According to an Oxford Economics study commissioned by Cruise Lines International Association, cruise tourism contributed around £343 million to the Scottish economy in 2023.
The continued growth in Aberdeen is also linked to investment in South Harbour, which has enabled the port to accommodate larger vessels and strengthen its position as a cruise destination on Scotland’s north-east coast.
The record 2026 season, together with bookings extending to 2033, shows that Aberdeen is continuing to strengthen its position in the international cruise market while attracting larger ships and a broader range of operators.
