Harland & Wolff Wins Major Beachcomber Cruise Ship Revitalization Contract in Belfast
Harland & Wolff has secured a major cruise ship refurbishment and ship repair contract for Margaritaville at Sea’s flagship Beachcomber, marking the largest cruise ship revitalization project to be undertaken at its Belfast shipyard since the facility was acquired by Spain’s Navantia Group.
The project is expected to generate approximately £40 million for the Belfast region through the use of Harland & Wolff’s ship repair yard, facilities and skilled workforce. The contract also strengthens Belfast’s role in the cruise ship repair, marine engineering and maritime services sector, with local contractors and suppliers set to participate in the work.
Former Costa Fortuna to Undergo Major Transformation
Beachcomber, formerly known as Costa Fortuna, was originally delivered by Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard in Genoa in 2003. Margaritaville at Sea acquired the vessel in 2025 and is now preparing it for a major transformation ahead of its planned global debut in 2027.
The project follows Harland & Wolff’s work on Margaritaville at Sea’s Islander, formerly Costa Atlantica, which was upgraded at the Belfast yard in 2024.
For the Belfast shipyard, securing a second major vessel from the same cruise operator is significant. It demonstrates that the yard’s previous work has helped establish confidence in its ability to undertake large and technically demanding cruise ship refurbishment programs.
£40 Million Boost for Belfast Maritime Supply Chain
Margaritaville at Sea will work with local contractors and suppliers including MJM, Mivan and Madden Marine, which will undertake significant elements of the vessel’s reimagination.
The involvement of these companies also highlights the role of the wider regional maritime supply chain in supporting major ship repair projects. The economic benefit is therefore expected to extend beyond the shipyard itself through the engagement of local facilities, contractors and skilled workers.
Graham Couser, director of ship repair at Navantia UK, described the contract as a vote of confidence in the Belfast yard’s growing reputation for cruise ship repair, refurbishment and revitalization.
He said the selection of Belfast for a second major Margaritaville at Sea vessel demonstrates the trust international cruise operators place in the yard’s facilities, workforce and ability to deliver complex projects to demanding schedules.
Navantia Targets Growth in Cruise Refit Market
Couser also said Belfast has the potential to become one of Europe’s leading cruise refit hubs. The yard’s dry-dock capacity, deep-water access and heavy engineering capabilities are being combined with Navantia’s international experience in cruise ship repair.
Navantia UK is investing in the Belfast facilities while transferring expertise from across the wider Navantia Group. The company said the objective is to establish a long-term centre of excellence for ship repair in the UK.
Industry analysis: The Beachcomber contract is important because it combines Belfast’s existing large-scale infrastructure with Navantia’s international cruise repair experience. If this capability attracts further vessels, the project could help Belfast compete more strongly for complex cruise refit and refurbishment work in Western Europe.
Margaritaville at Sea Confirms Belfast Partnership
Minas Miliaris, chief maritime officer at Margaritaville at Sea, said the transformation of Beachcomber represents the next stage in the company’s continued growth.
Miliaris said the company was pleased to work with the Belfast team again, adding that the previous Islander project demonstrated the quality, craftsmanship and expertise needed for a project of this scale.
That experience gave Margaritaville at Sea confidence to return to Belfast as it prepares Beachcomber for its global debut in 2027.
Navantia Brings International Cruise Repair Experience
The project also builds on Navantia Group’s wider experience in cruise ship repair and revitalization.
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. The Cádiz facility has ranked among the world’s leading cruise repair facilities by volume since 2022.
That expertise is being transferred to Belfast through an ongoing knowledge-transfer program. Specialists from across the Navantia Group are working alongside UK teams to strengthen production planning, project delivery and quality systems.
Belfast Yard Equipped for Large Cruise Ships
The Belfast facility offers one of the largest ship repair sites in Western Europe. It includes 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.
These facilities provide the physical capacity required for large cruise vessels and support Navantia UK’s ambition to expand Belfast’s role in cruise, ferry and commercial ship repair, alongside the group’s naval and offshore energy activities.
Beachcomber Work to Begin in September 2026
Work on Beachcomber will commence when the vessel arrives at the Belfast shipyard in September 2026. Following the revitalization project, the vessel is expected to enter service from Port Miami in 2027.
The contract gives Harland & Wolff’s Belfast operation a major cruise refurbishment project while bringing additional work to the region’s ship repair facilities, contractors and maritime supply chain.
For Navantia UK, the project also represents another step toward developing Belfast as an international destination for complex cruise ship repair and revitalization.
