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The cruise ships Douglas Mawson, Star Legend, and Le Champlain made visits to ports operated by Associated British Ports (ABP) in June, calls that reflect the organization's strengthening role in the British tourism sector with recent short-duration and expedition travel calls in Swansea and Millbay Docks, in Plymouth.
In early June, Millbay welcomed the expedition ship Douglas Mawson on its inaugural visit to the city and the first cruise ship call of the season. Built in 2025 and operated by Aurora Expeditions, the vessel is specifically designed for polar exploration in Antarctica and the Arctic.
The call was part of a broader itinerary through the UK, Ireland, and France, which began at ABP's Port of Troon, once again demonstrating the port operator's ability to support cruise operations across its network.
In Swansea, Windstar Cruises' Star Legend became the first cruise ship of the season to call in mid-June, followed by Ponant's Le Champlain. These early calls, along with the successful visit to Plymouth, highlight the growing demand for regional UK destinations and expedition-type itineraries.
Southampton Port remains the UK's main cruise gateway, a benchmark in the sector, receiving millions of passengers from major international cruise lines each year. In addition to its established position, ABP is actively developing opportunities across its portfolio of ports to support both short-sea and expedition cruises.
ABP's network offers a wide range of services, including deep-water berths, flexible port infrastructure, and access to unique regional destinations. This allows the group to provide support to cruise lines looking to diversify their itineraries and offer passengers new coastal experiences in the UK.
Ashley Curnow, Divisional Manager for Wales and the Southwest, said that "we are pleased to welcome cruise lines to Swansea and Plymouth, including the Douglas Mawson's first visit to Millbay. These calls demonstrate the growing interest in regional destinations and expedition cruises, as well as the role our ports play in facilitating these itineraries."
"While Southampton continues to lead the UK cruise market, there is a clear opportunity to boost short-sea and expedition cruise activity across the ABP network. Ports like Swansea and Plymouth offer unique destinations, robust infrastructure, and tangible benefits for local economies. We look forward to collaborating with cruise lines and industry partners to build on this momentum and attract more visitors to our ports and regions," Curnow added.
Source: Portal Portuario
