Exciting cruise season awaits

The 2023 season will feature a reunion with one of the world's largest cruise ships, AIDAnova, which will visit the Port of Kalundborg twice in June. Both times there will be more than 5,000 primarily German-speaking passengers on board.

AIDAnova is owned by the cruise line AIDA Cruises, which also sends the slightly smaller cruise ship AIDAdiva to Kalundborg. This will happen on July 9, when this ship will call at Kalundborg for the first time with approximately 2,500 German-speaking passengers. The last call will be with the ship Riviera from Oceania Cruises, which is the first time that this shipping line has sent a ship to Kalundborg. It will also be the first time that a ship with American tourists will call at Kalundborg. Oceania Cruises is also a shipping line that works within the premium segment, which means that 1,250 tourists with purchasing power will come to the city.

"We look forward to welcoming the ships and tourists in collaboration with Destination Zealand, the city's trade, attractions, and the city's citizens, from whom several volunteers have again this year signed up to help ensure that guests have a good experience in Kalundborg," says Michael Larsen, sales manager at the Port of Kalundborg.

The cruise market in the Baltic Sea region is still challenged by the whole situation with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which has meant frequent changes in cruise ship sailing schedules, as well as cancellations from especially American cruise lines.

St. Petersburg as a cruise destination has historically been the biggest draw for cruise tourists in the Baltic Sea region, especially for Americans. The fact that St. Petersburg is no longer an option, as well as the uncertainty from American tourists about the entire situation in the area, means that several of the major American cruise lines have completely withdrawn from the Baltic Sea region this season.

"It is no secret that before this situation we were looking at a much steeper growth curve in our cruise business than is the case. For example, this year we have had 5 cancellations of original bookings from large shipping companies that would have visited Kalundborg for the first time. But we are sure that they will return when the situation changes, and until then we are happy with the four calls we will have this year", says Michael Larsen.

In addition to this year's four confirmed calls, it is still possible that there will be more calls during 2023.