Lerwick Set to Welcome the 2026 Cruise Season

This marks the first cruise ship of the season after weather conditions prevented earlier calls from Balmoral and Viking Neptune.

While the season has had a slower start than planned, infrastructure and services are in place to support what is expected to be another busy year for cruise activity with 147 arrivals, representing around 6.2 million gross tonnes of shipping and an estimated 130,000 passengers. The season will extend from April through to November.

Notably, Lerwick’s dredging campaign to widen and deepen the North Ness channel and approaches to Mair’s Pier will allow for improved berthing and access for mid-sized vessels, an important segment of market for the port.

Highlights ahead for the 2026 season will include inaugural calls from ultra-luxury operators Seadream Yacht Club and Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection. The largest vessel to call will be MSC Virtuosa, arriving on 20 July at 181,000 gross tonnes.

Alongside vessel activity, operational planning has been strengthened to support passenger experience ashore. An expanded meet-and-greet team will provide visitors with information on arrival, while additional coach capacity has been introduced to meet demand for tours.

Melanie HendersonCruise & Marketing Manager

The investment in dredging unlocks potential for more mid-sized vessels to berth at Mair’s Pier. Shetland’s reputation as a must-visit destination continues to grow, with an increasing number of local providers offering unique experiences for our cruise visitors. This growth is not only beneficial for our tourism sector but also for the wider local economy, supporting businesses across Shetland.

Forward bookings for the port are strong, with demand stretching all the way to 2030.

Melanie Henderson concludes, “It’s great to see ongoing confidence from both cruise lines and local stakeholders. Our continued focus on infrastructure investment and strong collaboration ensures that Lerwick remains a key player in Scotland’s cruise industry.”

Lerwick Port Authority partnered on a recent ‘Cruise Forward’ conference highlighting the growing appetite among Shetland’s businesses, venues, and attractions to cater to the cruise market, opening new possibilities for local growth. The event launched a new study which will explore the socio-economic value of cruise tourism in Shetland.