Port of Cromarty Firth welcomes first cruise ship of 2026
The Port of Cromarty Firth (PoCF) will welcome its first cruise ship visit of the year on Monday 6 April, as Invergordon once again becomes the gateway to the Scottish Highlands for thousands of tourists from around the world.
The AIDAmar, which can accommodate over 2,600 passengers and around 600 crew, is due to arrive at the Easter Ross port’s cruise berth at 9am, before departing later in the day.
Operated by AIDA Cruises, the vessel will be the first of several visits to Invergordon during this year’s cruise season.
A total of 95 cruise ship calls are scheduled at the Port during 2026, bringing an estimated two hundred thousand visitors to the Highlands and providing a significant boost to the local economy. The season is due to draw to a close on October 14, with the AIDAsol, also operated by AIDA Cruises and capable of accommodating over 2,600 passengers and 600 crew.
While some visitors travel on organised excursions to destinations such as Inverness and Loch Ness, the majority of ships tours are half-day and the Port keenly encourages passengers to spend time exploring Invergordon during the rest of their day.
To support this, the Port has introduced a new printed visitor map which will be handed to cruise passengers as they disembark. The map highlights the town’s independent shops, cafés and attractions, all within easy walking distance of the Port, helping visitors discover more of what Invergordon has to offer.
Among the places featured are the town’s vibrant mural trail, the community run Invergordon Museum and a range of locally owned businesses along the High Street. Independent tour operators and taxi companies will also hand the maps out to passengers.
The Port has also invested in an LED advertising screen at the quayside. These screens promote local facilities and businesses to cruise passengers, helping them to find things to do in the area. Each year, the Port offers severaladvertising slots free of charge to shops in Invergordon, as a further way to help the town’s small businesses.
Ahead of the new season, the Port has also been working with local organisations and businesses to help them make the most of cruise tourism. In March, PoCF hosted a dedicated workshop in Invergordon to give local businesses insight into how the cruise sector operates and how they can attract visiting passengers.
The session covered topics including cruise visitor trends, the structure of the cruise industry and practical tips on increasing visibility through marketing and social media, helping businesses prepare ahead of the first ship’s arrival.
Louise Munro, Cruise Development Co-ordinator at PoCF, said: “We’re delighted to welcome our first cruise ship of the 2026 season and begin another exciting year for the Port and the wider Highland region.
“Cruise tourism brings visitors from across the world to experience the history, scenery and hospitality of the Highlands. By working closely with local businesses and partners, including through initiatives such as our recent cruise workshop, we want to ensure communities across the area continue to benefit from the opportunities the sector provides.”
The industry supports jobs and business opportunities throughout the region, with up to 100 people involved on the Port side alone during a typical visit, including security officers, mooring crews, tour guides and coach drivers.
