Cruise Calls for Current Year

A Connoisseurs Cruise Call : Waterford
Capital of Ireland's south east region, WATERFORD is one of the most 'marketable' names available to the cruise industry. It is proud home to a world renowned luxury lifestyle brand - Waterford Crystal. The celebrated Crystal Factory and Gallery make a glittering centrepiece for a rich and varied array of quality attractions. Tour operators have an embarrassment of riches in fashioning excursions to delight the visitor and all within a short distance of the port.


Waterford Location
The Port is close to the south eastern tip of Ireland at the conjunction of the Atlantic Ocean, English Channel and Irish Sea. Location alone suits many itineraries and overlaying its history and culture the possible thematic links are surprisingly wide

Waterford Harbour and River
From the sturdy light at Hook Head - Ireland's oldest lighthouse - the up-river passage is filled with scenic and historic interest. Passengers follow in the wake of the Celts and Vikings and the most profound invasion or 'invitation' in Irish history…the arrival of the Normans led by Strongbow and King Henry II in 1172. They landed at Crooke near Passage East…taking Waterford (and Ireland) by 'Hook or by Crooke."  The Fjord-like entry presents a varied landscape that prepare a welcome to the modern visitor to the city's mile long quay, described by the eminent architectural historian, Mark Girouard, as "the noblest quay in Europe." Even though the city quays are no longer the primary commercial port, a new development is envisaged providing facilities for the cruise market.


Waterford City and Environs
We know cruise visitors will swear allegiance to the warmth of the Waterford welcome, to the charming character of its quaint streets and elegant shops, to its two great cathedrals and to the greenest Irish landscapes set in three tranquil river valleys flowing into the Harbour.

Waterford and Milford Haven
Recognising the strong Celtic links between Wales and Ireland, Milford Haven Cruise Port has forged a partnership with the Port of Waterford, assisted by EU funding under the Interreg programme. The two ports are only an overnight crossing apart and by working together are able to offer a complementary range of itineraries for cruise passengers whether it is an insight into Celtic history, the matchless scenery and coastlines of the two areas, the world renown of Waterford Crystal and the inspired crafts of Pembrokeshire or merely the genuine and warm welcome offered to visitors on these two sides of the Irish sea.