Getting ashore
Kirkwall is usually a tender stop.
Build in extra time at both ends of the day, especially if you are planning an independent tour or want to be first ashore.
United Kingdom
Kirkwall Cruise Port
Kirkwall is a solid port day with frequent tendering and lighter cruise traffic during the warmer months.
Usually tenders
Usually quiet
~9h typical visit
Smaller ships
What to expect in Kirkwall
How much time will you have?
About 9h is typical
Most cruises spend 9h to 10h in Kirkwall, which makes it a solid port day compared with many stops.
How busy does Kirkwall get?
Some dates are noticeably busier than others.
Multiple ships overlap on roughly 15% of days, so most dates should feel manageable.
- Typical day: ~2,400 passengers
- Busy day: 5,850+ passengers
- Multiple ships on 15% of days
Check your date
October 2026
Jump
Quieter
Busier
Ships
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Where Kirkwall fits into a cruise
Kirkwall is most commonly visited on British Isles itineraries, often alongside Invergordon and Ullapool .
Commonly arrives from
Kirkwall
Commonly continues to
When to cruise to Kirkwall
Cruise ships visit during 7 months of the year.
Cruise visits are concentrated in a few busier months, so month choice can change both ship choice and crowd levels.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Visits
0
0
2
14
76
116
63
49
37
0
0
0
Who sails here?
Ships visiting Kirkwall typically carry around 1,218 guests, with Regal Princess, Rotterdam, and Viking Libra calling most often.
Most frequently visiting ships
- 1 Regal Princess 13 calls
- 2 Rotterdam 8 calls
- 3 Viking Libra 7 calls
- 4 MSC Preziosa 6 calls
- 5 Nieuw Statendam 6 calls
- 6 Viking Sky 5 calls
Next port calls
Apr 9 Viking Libra
Apr 11 Viking Vela
Apr 19 Viking Libra
Apr 28 MSC Preziosa
May 5 Viking Vela · Nieuw Statendam
Cruises that visit Kirkwall
Seabourn Venture
Belfast → Kirkwall → Flatey → Reykjavík
Jun 19, 2027 · 28 nights
Visits Kirkwall on day 3
$21,629 suite · $772/night
30% below typical · 3-month low
Seabourn Venture
Belfast → Kirkwall → Dynjandi → Reykjavík
Jun 19, 2027 · 14 nights
Visits Kirkwall on day 3
$11,759 suite · $840/night
30% below typical · 3-month low
Seabourn Quest
Dover → Cowes → Leith → Dover
Jul 3, 2027 · 14 nights
Visits Kirkwall on day 11
$11,993 suite · $857/night
54% below typical · Price trending down
Seven Seas Mariner
IJmuiden/Velsen → Newcastle upon Tyne → Grundarfjørdur → Reykjavík
Jun 30, 2027 · 14 nights
Visits Kirkwall on day 6
$13,999 suite · $1,000/night
16% below typical · 3-month low
Celebrity Eclipse
Amsterdam → Cork → Kirkwall → Amsterdam
May 6, 2027 · 13 nights
Visits Kirkwall on day 12
$2,636 interior · $203/night
30% below typical · 3-month low
Seven Seas Voyager
Southampton → Fowey → Aberdeen → Leith
May 10, 2027 · 11 nights
Visits Kirkwall on day 10
$11,199 suite · $1,018/night
6% below typical · 3-month lowCruise routes that include Kirkwall
These route families show how cruise lines usually package Kirkwall, so you can compare the whole trip instead of judging this stop by itself.
Arctic · British Isles
Kirkwall → Fair Isle → Lerwick + 4 more
From Belfast · Next Jun 19
From $11,759 suite · $840/night
Best departure: 30% below typical
1 upcoming departure · 1 ship
Arctic · British Isles
Kirkwall → Fair Isle → Lerwick + 14 more
From Belfast · 28 nights · Next Jun 19
From $21,629 suite · $772/night
Best departure: 30% below typical
1 upcoming departure · 1 ship
British Isles
Cowes → Fowey → Bantry + 7 more
From Dover · 14 nights · Next Jul 3
From $11,993 suite · $857/night
Best departure: 54% below typical
1 upcoming departure · 1 ship
Arctic · British Isles
Newcastle upon Tyne → Aberdeen → Invergordon + 7 more
From IJmuiden/Velsen · 14 nights · Next Jun 30
From $13,999 suite · $1,000/night
Best departure: 16% below typical
1 upcoming departure · 1 ship
British Isles · Arctic
Cork → Dún Laoghaire → Liverpool + 5 more
From Amsterdam · 13 nights · Next May 6
From $2,636 interior · $203/night
Best departure: 30% below typical
1 upcoming departure · 1 ship
British Isles
Fowey → Ringaskiddy → Holyhead + 6 more
From Southampton · 11 nights · Next May 10
From $11,199 suite · $1,018/night
Best departure: 6% below typical
1 upcoming departure · 1 ship
Related ports near Kirkwall
Tap to view port guide, ship schedules, and best time to visit.
Tap to view port guide, ship schedules, and best time to visit.
Tap to view port guide, ship schedules, and best time to visit.
Tap to view port guide, ship schedules, and best time to visit.
Tap to view port guide, ship schedules, and best time to visit.
Tap to view port guide, ship schedules, and best time to visit.
FAQ about cruises visiting Kirkwall
Which cruise itineraries usually include Kirkwall?
Cruises that call at Kirkwall often follow itineraries such as Arctic One-Way: Kirkwall, Fair Isle & Tórshavn, Arctic Repositioning: Kirkwall, Tórshavn & Prince Christian Sound, and British Isles Loop via Cowes, Fowey & Bantry.
Plan your route
Explore cruises that visit Kirkwall
See itineraries, compare routes, and find the best way to include Kirkwall in your trip.