Margaritaville at Sea’s Beachcomber arrives in Belfast for major transformation at Harland & Wolff

Margaritaville at Sea’s new flagship, Beachcomber, has arrived at Harland & Wolff in Belfast to begin a major transformation at the shipyard.

The arrival marks the start of the largest cruise ship revitalisation project undertaken at the Belfast yard since its acquisition by Navantia UK, with the multi-million-pound programme expected to generate approximately £40 million for the Belfast region.

The vessel will undergo an extensive refurbishment at Harland & Wolff before entering service with Margaritaville at Sea in 2027.

The project will draw on Harland & Wolff’s Belfast workforce, its extensive ship repair and engineering capabilities, and the specialist local suppliers that help deliver major marine projects.

The contract follows the successful transformation of Margaritaville at Sea Islander at Harland & Wolff in 2024 and is the latest export order secured by Navantia UK, following recent international work from Arnish, Methil and Belfast.

Graham Couser, Director of Ship Repair at Navantia UK, said:

“It is great to see Beachcomber arrive in Belfast and to get this major project underway with our workforce and partners across Northern Ireland’s maritime industry.

“Belfast is able to take on work of this scale because of the facilities at the yard and the skills and experience of the people here.

“The project also matters beyond the shipyard. We expect it to generate around £40 million for the Belfast region, creating work and supporting businesses across the wider maritime economy.

“Margaritaville at Sea’s decision to return to Belfast says a lot about the quality of work delivered here. We want to build from this and continue strengthening Belfast’s position in cruise ship repair, refurbishment and revitalisation.”

The work comes as Navantia UK continues significant investment in Harland & Wolff and expands activity across both commercial and defence shipbuilding. More than £98.5 million is being invested in modernising the facility, including new advanced manufacturing equipment, upgraded infrastructure and expanded fabrication capacity.

Belfast is also the principal delivery yard for the Fleet Solid Support programme, under which three new support ships for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary will be assembled, integrated and commissioned at Harland & Wolff.

Harland & Wolff offers two of Europe’s largest dry docks, extensive deep-water quayside and heavy engineering capability able to accommodate some of the world’s largest vessels.

The Beachcomber project also draws on expertise from the wider Navantia Group, whose international ship repair business services more than 200 vessels each year. Specialists from across the Group are working alongside the Belfast team as Navantia UK develops the yard as a long-term centre of excellence for ship repair.