Last year was also the year when record numbers of cruise ships berthed at one of the Baltic Sea ports. Although the average number of guests on board a cruise ship since 2008 has grown from 1,340 to 2,017, still more cruise lines are heading towards the Baltic Sea. Thus, in 2018, the number of cruise calls was 7.7 percent higher than in 2017.
In 2018, more cruise guests than ever before went ashore at a Baltic Sea port. This is shown in a new report from Cruise Baltic, which also reveals a record high number of calls into the Baltic Sea ports. The compass points towards further growth in 2019.
Cruise lines and cruise guests worldwide increasingly head towards the Baltic Sea. Thus, a report about the development of the 29 Cruise Baltic ports as well as the ports in St. Petersburg, Riga and Kiel shows an increase in the number of cruise guests of 7.3 percent in 2018. In total, the ports welcomed 5,424,943 cruise guests. This is a new record.
"The development shows that the cooperation between the Cruise Baltic ports is an effective launch pad for growth, where we have a clear focus on developing the cruise destinations and creating high guest experiences. At the same time, the record is an attestation that the Baltic Sea ports have managed to adapt to market trends and, for example, facilitate today's larger ships," says Claus Bodker, Director of Cruise Baltic.
Last year was also the year when record numbers of cruise ships berthed at one of the Baltic Sea ports. Although the average number of guests on board a cruise ship since 2008 has grown from 1,340 to 2,017, still more cruise lines are heading towards the Baltic Sea. Thus, in 2018, the number of cruise calls was 7.7 percent higher than in 2017.
The development is good news for ports and cities in the Baltic Sea region, which may even look forward to yet more cruise guests in 2019.
"The prognosis for this year looks very promising. Last year, the Baltic ports could welcome no less than 5,4 million cruise guests, and we expect to top the record this year, where we expect to welcome 5,8 million cruise guests," says Claus Bodker.
With 868,000 cruise guests last year compared to 2017, Port of Copenhagen was the busiest cruise port in the Baltic Sea region. This is concluded in the Cruise Baltic Market Review, which highlights the number of guests as the highest in the history of Port of Copenhagen. Here there is also a chance of further progress, and specifically the prognosis for 2019 shows a growth of 12.3 percent.
On second, third, fourth and fifth place of the most visited ports in the Baltic Sea, the report lists Rostock, St. Petersburg, Tallinn and Stockholm, respectively.
*The data in the report was collected in January 2019 and was based on figures from the ports of the Baltic Sea.
Development in guests, berthings and turnarounds in the Baltic Sea ports
In 2018, the cruise business in the Baltic Sea experienced an increase in the number of cruise guests visiting the region, amounting to a total number of 5,424,943 guests. This is the highest number ever. The region also experienced positive growth rates regarding calls and turnarounds compared to 2017.
In 2018:
- The total number of cruise guests has increased by 7.3%
- The total number of calls has increased by 7.7%
- The total number of turnarounds has increased by 2.9%
Estimates for 2019 are overall positive, estimating a further increase in number of guests and calls.
In 2019:
- The total number of cruise guests will increase by 6.6%
- The total number of calls will increase by 3.6%
- The total number of turnarounds will increase by 1%
In 2019, Cruise Baltic expects guest numbers to increase by more than 700,000 compared to 2017 to almost 5.8 million guests.
Cruise Baltic was founded in 2004 as a network of 12 cruise destinations in the Baltic Sea region. Since then, the network has been growing and today it includes 29 destinations.
Cruise Baltic launches innovative Port Development Overview
Also, in order to meet the needs from the cruise lines Cruise Baltic has developed an innovative and online news platform that provides the cruise lines with quick and easy access to information on Baltic Sea port development projects.
As the first cruise association in the world, Cruise Baltic is now ready with a comprehensive and dedicated overview of port development in the entire Baltic Sea region.
The online platform is called Port Development Overview and is launched in order to ensure that the cruise lines from all over the world are provided with relevant information on Baltic Seal port development projects.
"The cruise ships have become substantially larger over the past ten years, which means that it is of crucial importance to the cruise lines whether the ports have followed the development and have the capacity to accommodate the large ships. The Cruise lines plan two to three years ahead, therefore it is very important that information about future port developments are available. We now give the cruise lines easy access to this information," says Claus Bodker, Director of Cruise Baltic.
The innovative Port Development Overview contains information about the Baltic Sea ports, and is continuously updated with new development projects, the benefits of the development, projects time frames etc.
Cruise Baltic expects that the new site will be widely used by cruise lines planning future itineraries. Therefore, the information may be crucial for the cruise destinations in the Baltic Sea in order to attract the cruise lines.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
