The Orkney Islands are the UK’s most popular cruise ship destination with over 170 cruise ships calling into Kirkwall and Stromness annually.
From very large ships that carry 4500 passengers to smaller explorer size vessels that carry 450 passengers, all can be accommodated at Kirkwall’s main commercial deep water berth at Hatston just outside the City, or alongside at Kirkwall Pier in the City centre or for smaller vessels at the main berth in Stromness. Two designated deep water anchorages are also available in Kirkwall.
All major cruise lines have visited Orkney in the last 3 years, and the 125,000 passengers arriving annually between April and September are enchanted by Orkney’s Neolithic and Wartime history, the splendour of its 13th Century Cathedral and the wide range of jewellery and arts and crafts on offer. The World Heritage Site of Skara Brae, Ring of Brodgar and Maeshowe located in Orkneys west mainland is renowned globally.
