Navantia UK’s Harland & Wolff Belfast Yard Secures Major Cruise Ship Revitalisation Project

Harland & Wolff has secured the largest investment in a cruise ship revitalisation project at its Belfast shipyard since it was acquired by Navantia UK. 

Margaritaville at Sea’s flagship ‘Beachcomber’ will be transformed at Belfast following the success of ‘Islander’ in 2024, reinforcing the city’s position as an increasingly important destination for cruise ship repair, refurbishment and revitalisation. 

The economic impact for Belfast from this multi-million-pound project is significant. The project is expected to generate approximately £40 million for the Belfast region, earned through engagement of Harland & Wolff’s ship repair yard, its facilities and skilled workforce.  

Margaritaville at Sea will be supported by local contractors and suppliers: MJM, Mivan and Madden Marine, who will perform significant works to fulfil the reimagination of the vessel. This highlights the depth of expertise across the region’s ship repair and maritime supply chain, further strengthening Belfast’s position as an internationally recognised centre for complex cruise ship revitalisation projects. 

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

“This project is another major vote of confidence in our Belfast yard’s growing reputation as a destination for world-class cruise ship repair, refurbishment and revitalisation. Being selected for a second major vessel from the Margaritaville at Sea fleet demonstrates the trust that international cruise operators have in our facilities, our people and our ability to deliver complex projects to demanding schedules. 

“Belfast has all the ingredients to become one of Europe’s leading cruise refit hubs, buoyed by Navantia UK’s acquisition last year. Our unique dry dock capacity, deep-water access and heavy engineering capability, combined with Navantia’s extensive global experience in cruise ship repair, provide operators with a compelling option in Western Europe. We are investing heavily in our facilities and transferring proven expertise from across the wider Navantia Group to build a long-term centre of excellence for ship repair in the UK.” 

Minas Miliaris, Chief Maritime Officer of Margaritaville at Sea, said: 

“The transformation of ‘Beachcomber’ represents the next step in the continued growth of Margaritaville at Sea, and we’re pleased to once again partner with the team in Belfast to help bring that vision to life. Their work on Islander demonstrated the quality, craftsmanship and expertise required for a project of this scale, giving us the confidence to return as we prepare Beachcomber for its global debut in 2027. As we continue expanding our fleet, having trusted partners who understand our commitment to delivering an exceptional guest experience is invaluable.” 

Following the successful revitalisation of Margaritaville at Sea ‘Islander’, the cruise line selected Navantia UK once again based on the yard’s proven ability to deliver complex, large-scale cruise ship transformation projects while meeting the high standards required to bring the Margaritaville at Sea guest experience to life. 

The project also builds on Navantia Group’s extensive international experience in cruise ship repair and revitalisation. Across its network of shipyards, Navantia Repairs services more than 200 vessels annually, while its Cádiz yard has completed more than 100 major cruise ship projects and has ranked among the world’s leading cruise repair facilities by volume since 2022. 

That expertise is now being embedded in Belfast through an ongoing knowledge transfer programme, with specialists from across the Navantia Group working alongside UK teams to strengthen production planning, project delivery and quality systems. 

The Belfast yard offers one of the largest ship repair facilities in Western Europe, featuring two of Europe’s largest dry docks, more than 1,300 metres of deep-water quayside, no tidal restrictions and heavy lifting infrastructure capable of accommodating the world’s largest cruise ships. 

The ‘Beachcomber’ project supports Navantia UK’s broader ambition to establish Belfast as a leading centre for cruise, ferry and commercial ship repair, complementing the Group’s established capabilities across naval and offshore energy sectors while reinforcing the city’s growing reputation as a destination for major international cruise ship revitalisation projects. 

The global ship repair and maintenance market is valued at more than $38 billion and continues to grow as operators invest in extending vessel life, meeting increasingly stringent environmental regulations and enhancing passenger experiences. With demand for dry dock capacity increasing across Europe, Navantia UK is investing to ensure Belfast plays a leading role in supporting the next generation of cruise ship maintenance and revitalisation projects. 

The transformation of ‘Beachcomber’ will commence upon its arrival in September 2026, with the vessel entering service in 2027 from Port of Miami where she will welcome guests from around the world.