The 2025 cruise season for the Port of Aberdeen and the broader area formally started on April 3, 2025, with the inaugural go to of the Viking Vela to South Harbour.
Passengers disembarking the Viking Vela had been welcomed with conventional Scottish music from Alba Bagpipes and Highland dance performances, whereas VisitAberdeenshire’s ‘Welcome to Aberdeen’ volunteers greeted visitors.
Wendy Atkin-Smith, managing director of Viking UK stated: “We’re delighted to have added Aberdeen as a brand new port of name on a few of our British Isles and Scandinavian itineraries and we’re trying ahead to our first ever go to in the present day.”
Aberdeen is about to obtain 64 cruise calls between April and September, together with 16 calls from Viking, bringing as much as 40,000 guests to the town and surrounding areas.
“As Scotland’s third-largest metropolis, it has a lot to supply, particularly with its sturdy coastal tradition and wealthy historical past. Our culturally curious visitors will get pleasure from studying concerning the metropolis’s maritime heritage and its attention-grabbing structure – in addition to experiencing the native artwork scene and exploring lots of the historic websites close by after they go to,” added Atkin-Smith.
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Assortment’s Ilma is about to name at South Harbour lower than a 12 months after its debut in September 2024, marking Ritz-Carlton’s first go to to the town.
Bob Sanguinetti, CEO of Port of Aberdeen, stated: “The growth of Port of Aberdeen, coupled with CruiseAberdeenshire’s unbelievable efforts to market the town and Shire, is delivering excellent outcomes as we welcome 64 cruise calls in 2025.
“This landmark season demonstrates Aberdeen is rising as a premier vacation spot for worldwide cruise traces, which brings super financial advantages to the area. We look ahead to welcoming tens of 1000’s of visitors to the port this 12 months.”
CruiseAberdeenshire, a partnership between VisitAberdeenshire and the Port of Aberdeen launched in 2024, is working to advertise the area to the worldwide cruise market.
Chris Foy, CEO of VisitAberdeenshire stated: The North-east’s customer proposition is powerful, because the area’s tourism and hospitality companies supply memorable, genuine experiences that go away an enduring impression on guests.
“The preliminary welcome is equally essential, and VisitAberdeenshire’s volunteers will likely be quayside to greet arriving passengers, getting their go to off to the very best begin. We look ahead to a profitable cruise season forward.”
Aberdeen will host Cruise Britain’s annual summer time occasion in June, bringing round 60 cruise executives and trade specialists to the town. The 2-day occasion will spotlight Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire’s choices, together with a convention aboard a Viking ship.
Ian McQuade, chair of Cruise Britain, stated : “Cruise Britain is delighted to be holding the affiliation’s summer time assembly in Aberdeen. In a sequence of firsts, it will likely be our first assembly in Scotland and first go to to a Viking Cruises’ ship; we’re excited to deliver our members and visitors to the town and want to thank the Port most sincerely for internet hosting.
“Cruise tourism touches all components of the UK and is an rising a part of the economic system of coastal communities. The expansion of Aberdeen as an essential name in regional cruise itineraries is a testomony to the work in creating each the port and the vacation spot supply.”