Cruise news: AIDAbella moves to Invergordon – highlights & tips!

Cruise news: AIDAbella moves to Invergordon – highlights & tips!

On May 29, 2025, the AIDAbella continued its cruise through Denmark, Great Britain and Norway, docking in the port of Invergordon instead of the originally planned destination of Aberdeen. This change in itinerary comes as part of the current cruise, which runs from May 25th to June 6th. Planned ports of call include Skagen in Denmark, Newcastle in England, and the Norwegian ports of Ålesund, Eidfjord and Sandnes. AIDA Cruises has adapted the shore excursions accordingly in order to be able to offer passengers interesting experiences in Invergordon. In the evening of the current day the ship will continue its journey to Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands, followed by another stop in Scrabster the following day.

The AIDAbella is based in Kiel this summer season and regularly sets out on 14-day cruises covering popular destinations in Great Britain, Norway and the Baltic Sea. The original itinerary included a route from Kiel via Skagen and Newcastle to Aberdeen before going to Kirkwall and Scrabster and back to Kiel via Ålesund, Eidfjord and Sandnes. The new route now includes Kiel - Skagen - Seetag - Newcastle - Invergordon - Kirkwall - Scrabster - Seetag - Ålesund - Eidfjord - Sandnes - Seetag - Kiel, offering passengers the opportunity to enjoy a freedom experience in the charming port town of Invergordon.

Invergordon – The port city in the Highlands

Invergordon is a small, picturesque port town in the Scottish Highlands with around 4,000 residents and natural access to the Cromarty Firth. The place is characterized by its strategic location as a deep-water port and a rich maritime history. The port served as an important naval base during the Second World War. The city also commemorates a mutiny in the Royal Navy in 1931, sparked by pay cuts.

The port and whiskey industry play an important role in Invergordon's economy. The city is also known for its impressive murals reflecting local history and culture, and offers a variety of opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, bird watching and boat trips. A popular port of call for cruise ships, Invergordon is the gateway to major attractions such as Inverness and Loch Ness.

Activities and attractions

From Invergordon visitors have access to numerous attractions. Popular shore excursion destinations include:

The town is pedestrian friendly and has a pleasantly busy High Street with shops and cafes. Invergordon Museum showcases the region's maritime history and important local events. If you want to travel a little further, ScotRail and Stagecoach have connections to Inverness, while taxis offer personalized tours of the notable sights.

Visitors should not miss the opportunity to explore Loch Ness, known for its mythical stories and boat trips, as well as access to Inverness with its charismatic architecture and historic sites. Cawdor Castle and Dunrobin Castle satisfy the curiosity of history buffs, while young and old can delight in the stunning Rogie Falls, where salmon can be spotted. The Glenmorangie Distillery attracts Scottish whiskey lovers with tours and tastings.

Travelers wishing to explore Invergordon and the surrounding area are advised to arrange tickets and information well in advance, particularly as an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) will be required to enter Great Britain and Northern Ireland for visitors from many European countries from April 2, 2025.

Those interested can find further information about the current voyage of the AIDAbella and the port city of Invergordon at Cruise news and Sea travel planning cruises.