Waterford

Waterford is unlike most cruise ports, anchored in a living landscape where over a millennium of sea bound history meets Ireland’s finest craftsmanship. As the largest town in the Southeast and Ireland’s oldest city, Waterford greets visitors with a compact, walkable port area that unlocks a treasure trove of signature experiences within minutes of the gangway. Guests can step into Waterford Crystal at the crystal visitor centre for factory tours and live glass making demonstrations, or stroll the Viking Triangle where Reginald’s Tower and Waterford Treasures bring Norse foundations and medieval trade to life. For day trips, the Copper Coast drive reveals dramatic cliffs and unspoiled beaches with easy hops to charming towns like Dungarvan and Tramore. The port offers a welcoming on shore hub with a dedicated shore excursion desk that arranges immersive, locally led journeys, from whiskey and seafood tastings to guided historic walking tours. The quay is fleet friendly by design, able to handle mid size and contemporary ships with smooth embarkation and disembarkation flows, while on board services of the ships that visit Waterford celebrate Irish produce, warm hospitality, live music and family friendly amenities that pair perfectly with ashore experiences. In short, Waterford sets itself apart by turning a port call into a full Irish experience: history you can touch, craftsmanship you can watch, and landscapes you can taste, all within reach of your vessel and your sense of adventure.