1 December 2025
Portsmouth International Port is celebrating after being crowned Best Port for the third year in a row at the prestigious cruise Wave Awards. Internationally renowned, the Wave Awards celebrate the very best of the sector on one of the biggest nights in the cruise calendar.
Scoring a hat trick, Portsmouth has won Best Port consecutively since entering the awards in 2023. Voted for by a panel of expert judges, Portsmouth was recognised for its ‘exceptional commitment to increasing local engagement and providing a premium guest experience’.
Cllr Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council said: “Portsmouth has a rich maritime heritage and we take a lot of pride in our city owned port. A great deal of investment has been put in over recent years which has been rewarded, with the number of cruise calls rapidly growing each year.
“The port continues to put the city first, working with partners to keep cruise tourism local. Their brilliant ambassador scheme has allowed more people living in the city to work with the port to help visitors plan and make the most of their time in Portsmouth. The return of their highly anticipated community open day next year is a key event in the city’s events calendar and will help to inspire the next generation of the maritime industry.”
Owned by Portsmouth City Council, Portsmouth International Port is predicted to contribute £10.3m in profit to the council this year, which will go directly into funding vital council services.
2025 has seen Portsmouth achieve its busiest year yet for cruise, with milestones including becoming the first port in the world to welcome the complete Virgin Voyages fleet, a line that has made the port their UK home port since first launching in 2021. The port has also become a leader in sustainability, with a game-changing shore power project underway.
Andrew Williamson, head of cruise and ferry at Portsmouth International Port said: “I am so proud to have picked up this award on behalf of the port for the third year in a row. We pride ourselves on the premium service we deliver to passengers and hope to create a memorable experience for every guest who travels through our port.
“This is a huge team effort, from our established relationship with cruise lines down to our cruise ambassadors on the quayside who welcome guests to our brilliant city. To be recognised by the Wave Awards for a third year in a row is a complete honour and one we don’t take lightly. Bring on 2026!”
Next year (2026) will mark 50 years since Portsmouth City Council created the international port, with an open day and economic report launch planned as part of the anniversary celebrations.