They’ll be getting a nice blast of Irish weather.

Still, Cobh is buzzing today as the first passengers leave the cruise ship Ambition and The Port of Cork Company (PoCC) marks the official start of the 2024 cruise season.

The Ambition docks on its maiden voyage to Cork Harbour as part of its 12-day ‘Easter British Isles Discovery’ round-trip,  signalling the beginning of what promises to be a bumper year for the cruise industry in Cork.

Here’s a little peek at the luxe cabins and dining areas onboard…

As is tradition with all maiden vessels arriving at the Port, a plaque exchange took place on board between the captain of the ship and Port of Cork Company representatives. Sailing under the flag of Bahamas with 680 cabins and a capacity for 1200 guests, the Ambition stands at 709ft in length with a draft of 23ft, showcasing the grandeur of modern cruise vessels.

A big year for cruise tourism

The 2024 Cruise Liner Schedule indicates a 10 per cent increase in vessels expected to visit the Port of Cork this year with an impressive 103 cruise vessels scheduled to arrive between April and November 2024.

Additionally, 24 cruise liners are expected to visit Bantry Bay Harbour this year, up from nine cruise ships last year.

Cruise tourism is estimated to generate €17 million in revenue and onshore spending averages at €81 per passenger and €29 per crewperson.

This year’s shipping schedule, available online, includes vessels that will travel to Cork from a wide range of countries including the US and Canada and from all over Europe.

“The surge in cruise calls this year reflects the collaborative efforts between the Port of Cork and our local partners, demonstrating our commitment to delivering exceptional services and experiences for local visitors, passengers and crew.” said Conor Mowlds, Chief Commercial Officer at the Port of Cork Company and Chairperson of Cruise Ireland.

Captain of the Ambition, Oleksii Varyvoda, stated, “It’s a pleasure to dock in picturesque Cobh for the first time and experience the warm welcome of this charming town. My fellow crew and passengers look forward to exploring the local cultural sights and experiencing the hospitality of Cork City and County while on this short visit.”