Special feature, by Kevin Kelway
With the growing trend of cruise ship operators and passengers visiting the South West and the increasing competition between regional ports.
Westward Shipping News has taken a look at the sector in more detail and how British coastal towns are looking to attract the projected 37.7 million+ passengers expected to cruise globally in 2025.
Southampton’s large-scale facilities dwarf smaller ports, which compete by offering unique, smaller-scale experiences.
Plymouth and Falmouth are investing in sustainable berthing to attract eco-conscious cruise liners.
Falmouth emphasises eco-tourism, Dartmouth and Fowey lean on literary and historical allure, while Plymouth and Torquay highlight maritime and natural attractions.
With sustainability concerns now a growing feature in the cruise ship market place, overtourism and environmental impacts are a growing issue. Some European ports are regulating cruise ships due to emissions and crowding, and pushing British coastal locations to adopt greener practices to stay competitive.
Falmouth and Plymouth are showing promise in attracting eco-friendly ships and high-value passengers -and especially the latest transformation investment at (ABP) Millbay Docks.
The six ports in the west, from Southampton to Torquay, Dartmouth, Plymouth, Fowey, and Falmouth, are all displaying unique local welcome ceremonies, promoting attractions, and infrastructure for cruise ships to capture a share of the global cruise market.
OUR TOP SIX CRUISE VISITOR PORTS WESTWARD SIDE
Southampton – The cruise capital of Europe and the UK’s largest cruise port, with five passenger terminals and handles millions of passengers annually. The port is a a major hub for embarkation and in-transit cruises. The city is expecting a record-breaking year in 2025, with over 3 million passengers last year.
Falmouth – A deep-water harbour, and the third-largest in the world, Falmouth attracts cruise ships because of its rich maritime history and proximity to Cornish attractions like St.Ives and the Eden Project. 50 cruise ships are scheduled to visit Falmouth in 2025, with over 100,000 to 150,000 visitors expected.
Plymouth – An historic port and beautiful waterfront with a deep naval heritage, and the city has become a stop for cruises exploring the South West, and offering access to Dartmoor and the Jurassic Coast. Over 12,000 cruise visitors are expected, and the Plymouth season started in March and ends in September 2025.
Dartmouth – A smaller but charming port, Dartmouth offers unique shore excursions via steam trains, ferries, and coastal paths, appealing to boutique cruise lines and visitors seeking historic charm. It is reported 8 cruise ship visitors in 2025 and nearly 10,000 passengers.
Fowey – Anticipates nine cruise ships and 7,000–10,000 visitors, leveraging its literary heritage (Daphne du Maurier) and stunning estuary. Like Dartmouth, it targets smaller, premium ships, offering exclusive excursions to the Lost Gardens of Heligan.
Torquay (English Riviera) – Welcomes cruise ships anchoring off its coast, with passengers tendered ashore to explore South Devon’s scenic beauty. The Riviera is expecting 4 cruise ships and nearly 4,000 passengers in 2025.
