Liverpool Cruise Port celebrates a record year for 2025

Liverpool Cruise Port is celebrating a record year with more cruise calls than ever to the city.

Already in 2025, 45 ships have visited and there are 70 more to come, bringing the total to 115 – 12 more than the previous year.

According to general manager John Mawer, it’s a sign of increased confidence in the UK cruise industry – and in the popularity of Liverpool itself.

“It’s our best year to date,” he says. “There are more ships at sea – and another 60 cruise ships being built between now and 2035 – and it represents the UK being seen as a really strong market.”

More settled weather has seen the cruise season extended from April to November, and John adds: “It’s a really good time for us and we hope we will see continued growth.  Certainly for 2026 we are looking to be a further 8% busier than this year.”

The news comes a year after Liverpool Cruise Port became part of the Global Ports Holding (GPH) network, with excitement about the potential of Liverpool’s growth and the city’s diverse and famous cultural offer being a key component in the decision.

GPH has signed a 50 year deal to operate the port, demonstrating its commitment to the area, with a capital programme proposed to improve the port’s infrastructure and support further growth.

“GPH also has a track record for improving the communities it operates in by working with local partners to develop destination offers,” continues John, “recruiting local expertise, improving accessibility, sponsoring events and sustainable programmes, and promoting return tourism.”

He says: “The feedback we get is that when ships are looking to create an itinerary, Liverpool is one of those marquee destinations that they’re wanting to include.

“It’s a really strong destination, with a strong brand and a strong identity.

“Quite a lot of passengers spend time in Liverpool which is different to other ports which are used as a bit of a bus stop, somewhere to board a coach to other tourist areas.

“But we retain a significant number of guests stay in the city which is a good indicator for us that the destination is strong in its own right.”

Unashamedly the Beatles is a huge draw for the American tourists who want to see Penny Lane and Strawberry Field: “It’s a bit of a pilgrimage,” says John.

“Whereas many of the European travellers are interested in the architecture, the museums and the history, and more of that cultural offer. 

“Liverpool is also becoming a gastronomic centre. Something we are seeing more and more is that people are looking to the city for the really good food and drink offering.”

Smaller bespoke vessels are also coming in like Ilma, a superyacht from the Ritz Carlton brand, with their guests looking for exclusive and premium treatment when they arrive.

“They are the small boutique ships who want a VIP experience curated just for them, but still, the Beatles and the music heritage, shopping, food, all the museums, and a trip to Anfield – definitely for the crews – are always high on the agenda.”

More major cruise lines are set to visit the city in the second half of the year, with huge names like Norwegian Cruise Lines, Carnival, Celebrity, Cunard and Virgin already having booked their places.

“Cunard is always a favourite, because of its connection with the city,” smiles John, “as it was founded in Liverpool and had its headquarters in the Cunard Building until the ‘60s when it moved to Southampton, and many of the ships were registered on the Mersey.

“Liverpool is its spiritual home.

“The city is Godparent to Queen Anne – Cunard’s newest cruise liner – who was here in May, and will be here again in August. People love to see her.”

On Thursday, September 11, The Disney Fantasy is scheduled to be in Liverpool as part of the Disney Cruise Line’s European debut, with trips to the UK, Spain, France, and Belgium.

And one of the most iconic vessels – and the biggest ocean liner in the world – the Queen Mary 2, will be in Liverpool for three days from Wednesday, September 17 to Friday, September 19.

All these ships attract huge crowds to Liverpool Cruise Port.

“The closeness and accessibility with them being right in the middle of the city, and the connection and heritage of big ships on the Pier Head being part of our DNA, brings people to the waterfront.

“And there’s that ownership. It’s Liverpool’s cruise port, it’s our history, our heritage, our legacy. 

“Most people in the city have got a seafaring connection or have had family that went to sea, and when you bring all of that together, it becomes a really nice day out, a talking point and somewhere to gather.”

Visit the Liverpool Cruise Port website HERE.

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