The
Princess Cruises ship
Crown Princess has been one of the first to pay a visit to Stormont Wharf in Belfast following an upgrade, the BBC reports.
Belfast Harbour Commissioners have spent £10 million on upgrading the length of the port to 1,040 metres, with the new wharf expected to allow larger vessels to dock at the port.
Some 3,100 passengers were on the Princess Cruises vessel as it docked at the port as part of a British Isles cruise, with around 40 ships carrying a combined 60,000 holidaymakers set to arrive this year.
Four deep water vessels will be able to berth simultaneously as part of the upgrade, with cruise trips believed to be worth £15 million to the local economy on an annual basis.
Pieter van der Schee, head of brand marketing at Princess Cruises, told the publication that trips around Britain were becoming increasingly popular.
He said: "With over 12,000 miles of dramatic coastline steeped in history, outstanding beauty and culture, it's no surprise that cruising around Britain is becoming an increasingly popular choice."
Meanwhile, earlier this year Princess Cruises increased its capacity on
Mediterranean cruises following an increase in demand.