Ryder Cup Planners Consider Cruise Ships as Floating Hotels in Foynes

Organizers of the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor in County Limerick are exploring whether cruise ships could be used as floating hotels to help address a shortage of accommodation in the region, according to The Times.

The proposal would see large vessels dock at the Port of Foynes, about 35 kilometers from Adare Manor, providing temporary housing for spectators and event staff as the tournament prepares for crowds that could top 200,000 people.

Ryder Cup organizers weigh a port-based lodging plan

Minutes from a recent tourism group meeting, obtained by The Times, show local planning discussions extending beyond hotel capacity to the broader logistics of moving visitors between the port area and the golf course. Alongside the cruise-ship idea, organizers and stakeholders are prioritizing transport upgrades intended to handle the scale of the event.

Adare Manor, a historic venue that has previously hosted the Irish Open and the J.P. McManus Pro-Am, is preparing for what is expected to be its largest event to date. The 2027 tournament would also be the first Ryder Cup in Ireland since the K Club near Dublin hosted the event in 2006.

How floating-hotel charters were set up for COP30 in Brazil

The use of cruise ships as temporary hotels has already been put into practice for major international gatherings. For the United Nations climate conference COP30, Costa Cruises’ Costa Diadema and MSC Cruises’ MSC Seaview were chartered to operate as floating hotels in Belém do Pará during the Nov. 10–21, 2025 conference period.

COP30, formally the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), prompted an accommodation push that included keeping both ships in port for roughly 20 days. Together, the vessels add more than 6,000 berths, described as roughly 4,000 rooms, for attendees and staff.

Rui Costa, Chief of Staff to the President of Brazil, said: “These ships offer safety and availability of accommodation for those coming to participate in the conference, whether to work or just attend the event.”

Terminal buildout and guest logistics in Belém

In Belém, the ships were docked at the new Outeiro Cruise Terminal, a facility that opened earlier in November 2025 as part of COP30 preparations. Brazil’s government said the terminal was built using elements of a former cargo dock and delivered on a fast-track timeline of about five months.

According to the government, the facility includes a pier measuring about 700 meters, along with a dedicated reception area designed to support both guests and crew. The terminal was developed by Companhia Docas do Pará (CDP).

Jardel Silva, president of CDP, said: “We delivered a port ready to receive cruise ships.” He added that welcoming the vessels marks “a historic moment” for the state and its residents.

During COP30, the Outeiro Cruise Terminal was set up to operate more like an event gateway than a standard cruise turnaround facility, with a staffed reception team that included bilingual volunteers, as well as upgraded signage and reference maps. Transportation was central to the plan, including a 24-hour transfer service and free transportation for ship guests connecting to Belém’s airport and COP30 venues, as well as other locations in the city.

Ship movements, capacity, and the return to regular itineraries

Both ships repositioned from Europe to Pará in late October and early November 2025, arriving as the city finalized its accommodation plan ahead of the conference.

• Costa Diadema, built in 2014, departed Savona, Italy, on Oct. 24, 2025, on a crossing to Brazil without passengers onboard.
• MSC Seaview began its transatlantic voyage from Barcelona on Oct. 25, 2025, including a technical stop in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria before continuing to Belém. The Seaside-class ship carries up to 4,140 guests and is being marketed as the largest ship in South America for the season.

The ships docked at Outeiro on Nov. 3, 2025. After serving as accommodation during COP30, both were scheduled to reposition to Santos to resume regional cruise operations. Costa Diadema is set to offer seven-night itineraries that include calls in Argentina and Uruguay, while MSC Seaview is scheduled to offer weeklong cruises focused on destinations in Brazil’s Northeast. The broader 2025–26 South America season also includes several other Costa and MSC ships operating regular sailings through mid-April, alongside calls by additional international cruise brands.

Other recent examples of cruise ships used for major events

Beyond COP30, organizers in other countries have used ships to increase accommodation capacity on a temporary basis.

In South Korea, Astro Ocean’s Piano Land and Eastern Venus docked at the Port of Yeongilman in Pohang during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, boosting accommodation capacity needed for the event in nearby Gyeongju. In Japan, Costa Serena is set to operate as a floating village for athletes during the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.

Transport upgrades under discussion in Limerick

For the Ryder Cup, The Times reported that planners are also focusing on infrastructure improvements, including a new road, the Adare Bypass, and enhancements to rail services connecting Foynes Port to the golf course. If cruise ships are used at Foynes, transport reliability between the port and Adare Manor would be part of the operational challenge the region would need to manage.

With planning continuing, the next steps for Limerick include decisions on whether a floating-hotel approach is needed, and how transport projects would support visitor movement between Foynes and Adare Manor during tournament week.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why are cruise ships being considered for the Ryder Cup?

According to The Times, with more than 200,000 visitors expected, accommodation in the Limerick area may fall short. Docking cruise ships at the nearby Port of Foynes is being explored as a way to provide additional lodging for spectators and event staff.

What upgrades are planned to support the Ryder Cup in Limerick?

Minutes from a tourism group meeting obtained by The Times cited plans that include a new road, the Adare Bypass, and enhanced rail infrastructure connecting Foynes Port to the Adare Manor golf course to support transportation for attendees.

Which cruise ships are being used as floating hotels for COP30 in Belém?

The chartered ships are Costa Diadema and MSC Seaview, which are set to operate as accommodation while docked in the Outeiro area of Belém do Pará during COP30 in November 2025.

How much extra accommodation do the COP30 ships provide?

Together, Costa Diadema and MSC Seaview add more than 6,000 berths in total, described as roughly 4,000 rooms, for conference attendees and staff.

Will there be transportation from the COP30 ships to conference venues?

Yes. The plan includes a 24-hour transfer service and free transportation for ship guests connecting to Belém’s airport and COP30 venues, as well as other locations in the city.