First cruise ship arrives in city

The Black Prince brought about 400 visitors

The first cruise ship to visit Belfast this year arrived in the city on Saturday.

The Black Prince brought about 400 visitors and is scheduled to make seven calls to the city this year.

Between now and November, it is expected that about 40,000 cruise passengers will come on 28 ships, generating up to £10m for the economy.

It is the 10th anniversary of the first cruise visits in 1997 when two cruise ships sailed into the port of Belfast.

The Cruise Belfast Initiative is a partnership between the Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau (BVCB) and the Port of Belfast.

Gerry Lennon of the BVCB said Belfast had become an international cruise destination.

"It is a vindication of the tremendous efforts we have made to attract the ships and showcase the dynamic and evolving face of Belfast," he said.

"It is particularly significant that major companies such as Princess Cruises will be returning to Belfast again and that so many of the ships coming into the port will be making several visits throughout the season."

Joe O'Neill of the Port of Belfast said "this incredibly busy summer season" was great news for the port.

"The fact that we have so many ships from world-leading companies making return calls puts us on a par with ports across the UK and Ireland," he said.