Fort Lauderdale, Falmouth, Rotterdam, Southampton: Florida Ships Kick Off with New 2025 European Cruise Season in UK Waters

Published on March 3, 2025

As the 2025 cruise season in Falmouth, UK, prepares to begin in April, travelers looking to explore Europe by sea are set to benefit from an array of cruise options. Two major Florida-based ships, Nieuw Statendam and Regal Princess, will mark the season’s commencement, arriving from Fort Lauderdale to kick-start their European itineraries. The addition of several renowned cruise lines, including Viking, AIDA, and Ambassador Cruise Line, highlights the growing popularity of Falmouth as a key stop on the European cruise circuit.

For travelers considering a European cruise in 2025, the start of this season promises new opportunities for exploration, cultural experiences, and sustainable travel trends.

The Start of a New Cruise Season: Ships Arriving from Florida

Travelers booking early spring voyages to Europe will find their journey beginning with two of the world’s most recognizable cruise brands.

• Nieuw Statendam, a Holland America Line (HAL) Pinnacle-Class vessel, will be the first to arrive in UK waters on April 16. This 100,000-ton ship, measuring 300 meters in length, has been operating for 11 years and accommodates 2,666 passengers with over 1,000 crew members. After reaching Dover, it will continue to homeport in Rotterdam for the season.
• Regal Princess, operated by Princess Cruises, will follow three days later on April 19. At 330 meters long and weighing 142,000 tons, this ship offers a capacity of 3,560 guests and a crew of 1,346. Throughout the European season, it will use Southampton as its base port.

These two ships signal the growing demand for transatlantic cruises, providing passengers with an alternative way to travel between North America and Europe without flights.

The Role of Falmouth in the 2025 Cruise Landscape

For travelers sailing through UK waters, Falmouth has emerged as a key destination, offering a balance between coastal beauty and access to historic landmarks. In 2025, the port is expected to welcome 50 cruise ships, a record-breaking number that places it among the most active cruise hubs on England’s south coast.

One of the most notable events from 2024, which remains relevant for future cruise passengers, was the Falmouth Lifeboat’s emergency medical evacuation of a guest from the Regal Princess. This demonstrated the port’s importance not only as a travel destination but also as a safe harbor for emergency responses, further increasing its value in cruise planning.

Newcomers and Expanding Cruise Lines

For travelers seeking variety in cruise brands, several ships will be making notable visits to Falmouth this year:

• Viking Jupiter, which previously operated in South America, will arrive from Barcelona as part of the well-known Barcelona-to-Bergen route. This will mark the first of four calls by the Norwegian cruise company.
• AIDA Cruises, a German-based brand, is making a much-anticipated return with six calls from its Sphinx-Class ships, AIDAsol and AIDAluna. These vessels will be making their inaugural visits to Falmouth.
• Other German cruise ships, including MS Hamburg, Deutschland, and Artania, will also feature in this year’s schedule.

With multiple European cruise lines increasing their presence, Falmouth is becoming an attractive stop for travelers exploring the UK’s southern coast as part of a larger European itinerary.

Shifting Regional Trends: Ambassador Cruise Line’s Departure

While the season is bringing in more ships than ever, Ambassador Cruise Line has announced that it will discontinue operations from Falmouth after 2025. The company explained that, as a new cruise operator, it had conducted an extensive review of its regional port strategy.

Ambassador’s decision to cease using Falmouth from the 2026/27 season will lead to:

• Consolidation of UK departures from Bristol Royal Portbury, making it easier for passengers traveling from the West of England.
• New sailings from Portsmouth, introducing a more accessible South Coast departure point for the first time.

While Ambassador’s exit from Falmouth may disappoint some loyal passengers, it highlights the shifting dynamics of UK cruise routes, where ports with larger passenger turnarounds may take precedence over traditional stops.

The Isles of Scilly and Other UK Cruise Destinations

For those preferring smaller ships and remote island experiences, the Isles of Scilly remain a sought-after cruise destination in the UK. This year, 27 cruise ships will anchor off St. Mary’s, allowing passengers to take tenders to Tresco Gardens and other surrounding islands.

Further north, Plymouth will see a significant rise in cruise activity, expecting nearly 12,000 passengers in 2025, a 40% increase from 2023. The city has now become a growing alternative port for cruise ships, thanks to its maritime heritage and proximity to historic sites.

Among the ships calling at Plymouth are:

• Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambition
• Saga Cruises’ Spirit of Adventure and Spirit of Discovery
• Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Pearl (marking its first-ever visit to Plymouth)
• Crystal’s Crystal Serenity
• Silversea’s Silver Dawn

Meanwhile, Fowey, another notable UK cruise destination, will host 13 ships in 2025. Many of these vessels belong to the expedition cruise category, favoring quieter ports that offer a blend of scenic landscapes, rich biodiversity, and cultural heritage sites.

Notable expedition vessels making stops in Fowey include:

• Le Boreal
• SD Diana
• National Geographic Explorer
• Oceanic

The Future of UK Cruising and Its Global Impact

As more transatlantic cruises from Florida to Europe take place, travelers will see an increase in slow travel options that reduce dependence on air travel. With many people seeking alternative, more sustainable ways to explore Europe, cruise tourism is becoming a primary choice.

With the rise in cruise ship traffic to smaller UK ports, the following trends are expected:

• More regional ports opening up to larger cruise operators, as seen with the shift to Portsmouth and Bristol.
• Expedition cruising gaining traction, especially in locations like Fowey and the Isles of Scilly.
• A boost in coastal tourism economies, particularly in the UK, Germany, and Norway, as more ships make stops at emerging destinations.

For Florida-based travelers, the availability of direct transatlantic repositioning cruises means that crossing the Atlantic by ship instead of air is becoming a more mainstream option, offering both a luxurious and leisurely way to arrive in Europe.

Key Takeaways for Travelers

• Nieuw Statendam and Regal Princess will arrive in Falmouth in April 2025, marking the start of the European cruise season.
• 50 cruise ships are scheduled to call at Falmouth this year, making it one of the busiest cruise ports on the UK’s south coast.
• Plymouth and Fowey are seeing a rise in expedition and boutique cruise visits, offering alternative stops to mainstream ports.
• Ambassador Cruise Line will leave Falmouth after 2025, consolidating sailings from Bristol and introducing new departures from Portsmouth.
• Transatlantic repositioning cruises are becoming more attractive for US travelers, offering direct sailings from Florida to Europe.

With cruise travel evolving in response to passenger demand, the 2025 season will set the stage for the future of slow travel and sustainable cruising.