Foyle Port has officially commenced its 2026 cruise season with the arrival of the Le Lapérouse, marking Ponant’s first visit to the port, according to a press release.

The expedition vessel anchored in Greencastle on April 16 as part of a 10-day Celtic Secrets & Landscapes cruise sailing from Greenock to Cobh, with stops across Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

“The arrival of a prestigious luxury expedition cruise line of this calibre is a strong endorsement of the region’s offering and its growing reputation on the global cruise stage,” said Captain Bill McCann, harbour master and operations director at Foyle Port.

The arrival marked the earliest cruise call ever to the region, and with the final call scheduled for September 19, this is set to be the longest season on record for Foyle Port, the company said.

A traditional plaque exchange was held onboard between Captain Adrien Eyssautier and local representatives from Foyle Port, Fáilte Ireland, Donegal County Council, Go Visit Inishowen and Hamilton Shipping Services.

This is the first of eight inaugural calls scheduled for 2026, alongside a return rate of 87 percent of cruise lines choosing to revisit the region.

The year is set to be a record, with the highest volume of calls and almost 16,000 passengers expected, according to the port.

Expedition vessels will account for 36 percent of all cruise calls in 2026, most of which are scheduled during April and May.

The Le Lapérouse is due to return on May 3, followed by an inaugural visit from the Douglas Mawson, operated by Aurora Expeditions, on May 16.