This summer one of the UK’s major deep sea ports, the Port of Tyne, is celebrating 25 years of cruising at a time when demand for its International Passenger Terminal services continues to soar.

The Port hit a new record of 61 cruise calls carrying 710,000 passengers in 2023, an increase of 91% compared with 2022.

These record-breaking figures reflect the increasing number of holidaymakers coming from abroad to visit the North East. Destination North East England reported an 80% increase in overseas visits in 2023 and that tourism brings £6.1 billion into the local economy.

We’ve gone from welcoming the Cunard’s Royal Viking Sun on 30 August 1999 as our first cruise ship to Fred Olsen’s The Balmoral coming in on 29 August 2024 - the day before it all started 25 years ago. Our offer has grown year-on-year, with a record number of cruise ship calls this year.

We’ve upgraded our facilities over the years to ensure the region remains a top destination for cruise passengers. We are currently extending our 5G network, making us the first smart port in the UK, which will open up even more opportunities for passengers coming into the Tyne.

Since the International Passenger Terminal opened in 1999 the Port of Tyne has invested £5 million in transforming Northumbrian Quay into a purpose-built cruise berth. The Port has also improved the passenger lounge, check-in desks and car parking facilities since it opened.

The Port of Tyne has shepherded several iconic vessels into the Tyne including the QE2 which came to the region during her lap of honour around the UK in 2007, and again in 2008 during her farewell tour. In 2016, the Port welcomed the popular Disney Magic cruise ship for the first time, the same day it handled a record five passenger ships in one day.

North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness said:
“The Port of Tyne is synonymous with the North East and welcomes passengers from all corners of the globe to experience the very best our region has to offer. It plays a crucial role and is vital to making our area the fantastic place we know it is - to live, work, invest and visit.

“The North East has unrivalled access to the North Sea and as Mayor I’m determined to harness all the opportunities this presents, to attract more investment, create jobs and strengthen our visitor economy – firmly placing the North East where it belongs: proudly on the world stage.”

Ian Thomas, Director of Visitor Economy at NewcastleGateshead Initiative and lead delivery partner for Destination North East England said:
“Anyone who is from here or has visited here knows North East England is a fantastic place to visit, offering unrivalled landscapes, world-class cultural experiences, a proper canny welcome and great value for money.

We’re very fortunate to have the fantastic facilities at the Port of Tyne which allows visitors to explore everything from our vibrant food and drink scene to UNESCO world heritage sites like Hadrian’s Wall. The Port of Tyne remains one of the country’s premier international gateways and it's amazing that it's on our doorstep as we continue to work closely alongside Visit Britain to amplify the region's story to attract more visitors from abroad.

“The growth and further investment from the port in its International Passenger Terminal will support us to reach our goal of doubling the value of the visitor economy over the next decade, supporting numerous jobs and contributing significantly to the regional economy.”

A representative from Fred Olsen, the operator of The Balmoral which has sailed in and out of the Tyne for almost a decade, said:

“During our calls into the Port of Tyne, our strong relationship combined with their smooth-running operation, allow us to deliver a consistently positive experience to everyone joining our ships, whether they be guests, crew or contractors. We can’t wait to continue working with the Port of Tyne for our future turnarounds throughout 2024 and beyond.”