Eastern Baltic ports set for cruise line return & increased calls

Thursday, February 29, 2024

The latest Market Review from Cruise Baltic reveals a resurgence of cruise lines returning to ports across the eastern Baltic Sea region for 2024. Moreover, several ports, including smaller and emerging cruise destinations, anticipate a rise in call numbers compared to last year. Travel patterns and geopolitical tensions are reshaping cruise routes in the Baltic Sea area. Cruise Baltic’s annual Market Review analyzes the region’s cruise sector’s developments amid these factors.

In 2023, geopolitical conflicts led to a division within the region, resulting in fewer calls to eastern ports while western ports experienced the opposite trend. However, looking ahead to 2024, emerging trends indicate a renewed interest in eastern destinations. Klaipeda expects a 41 percent increase in calls, Gdansk anticipates a 90 percent rise, and Turku foresees a substantial 133 percent surge in cruise visits.

“Last year’s situation called for a new and strengthened narrative for our region. This, combined with our new strategy, enabled us to redefine and retell the story of the Baltic Sea region. The aim of our work is to support our members and push the positive development in the region in every way we can,” says Klaus Bondam, Director of Cruise Baltic.

Furthermore, Cruise Baltic highlights a general uptick in the size of vessels operating in the region, a growing demand for cruises utilizing smaller vessels, and a shift in call patterns across ports. Notably, both well-established cruise ports and emerging destinations anticipate increased calls and passenger numbers. For instance, Arendal projects a 77 percent uptick in calls, Nyborg anticipates a doubling of calls, and Helsingborg expects a substantial 125 percent increase in cruise visits.

“We’re very pleased with this development and to see the growing interest in several of our destinations. Cruise guests are, like all other travellers, on the lookout for new and unique experiences, and by promoting new aspects of our region towards the cruise lines, we stay relevant among our target group,” says Klaus Bondam, Director of Cruise Baltic.

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