The Baltic is a rising star in the cruise market. Jane Archer looks at the region’s ascent
The Baltic has overtaken Alaska to become the world’s third most popular cruising destination after the Mediterranean and Caribbean, according to a report from Seatrade.
Some 2.3 million people from all over the world cruised the Baltic in 2006, an increase of 13% on the previous year, which makes it the world’s fastest-growing cruise market.
More than 54,000 of those cruisers were from the UK, up from just 15,000 in 1997, according to the Passenger Shipping Association. Add in cruises to the Norwegian fjords and the number of Britons choosing to cruise in northern Europe rises to more than 120,000.
Cruisers in the Baltic visit leading Scandinavian cities such as Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo, Tallinn and St Petersburg, the jewel in the Baltic’s crown, where most ships stay at least two days because there is so much for passengers to see.
Those who opt for the fjords get to see the giant landscapes along the Norwegian coast, often visiting Iceland as well, and go on excursions up mountains and glaciers to admire the views.
Princess Cruises head of brand marketing Pieter van der Schee said: “We have seen considerable increases over the past years in bookings on our Scandinavian cruises from Southampton to Iceland and the Norwegian Fjords.
“This year we have 50% more sailings than in 2007 and bookings on each departure are up compared with last year.”
In his report for Seatrade, 2020 Vision: New Focus for the Global Cruise Industry, author Tony Peisley attributed the Baltic’s growing popularity to its reputation for high service, health and safety standards.
He said: “Although its shorter season (from May to September) means it will never see as many ships over a year as the Caribbean or Mediterranean, there is plenty of room for growth – particularly if more ports emerge to enable cruiselines to refresh their itineraries on a regular basis.”
The Cruise Baltic partnership
The region has also been given a massive boost by Cruise Baltic, a partnership of 10 countries – Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Russia and Sweden – and 44 ports and tourist boards that was created in 2004.
The association, which launched in the UK last year, has a trade website to help agents sell the region.
Cruise Baltic project director Bo Larsen said: “We have become the world’s fastest-growing cruise region in five years and it is our intention to ensure that passenger growth continues.”
An original choice
The variety of destinations and attractions on offer appeals to cruisers who have ‘done’ the Med and Caribbean and are looking for something different.
They should be prepared to forego guaranteed sun in their quest, though – there can be hot summer days, but the weather in the Baltic can be as unpredictable as that of the UK.
Larsen said: “A survey last year showed that people return even if they have cruised here before. Even if you been to some of our destinations, there are still many exciting cities to explore. That is our strength.”
Another strength is the range of cruiselines operating in the region, which continues to grow in line with the number of passengers. Between them they offer a huge range of ships, from superliners with capacity for more than 3,000 passengers to luxury lines with ships that hold a few hundred.
Larsen said: “We noticed last year a rising interest from the cruise companies that have not sailed in the region as well as renewed interest from companies that have ships in the Baltic. It seems that all the hard work has begun to bear fruit.”
For British cruisers, a top selling point is the option to cruise to the Baltic from UK ports, avoiding the need to fly; conversely, flights times to Scandinavia are short for those who don’t fancy cruising the North Sea, which can add up to three days to the length of the holiday.
What’s new in Scandinavia for Summer 2008/9
- Holland America Line’snew ship Eurodam will be making two maiden voyages in the Baltic and two in the Norwegian fjords this summer after its official naming ceremony in Rotterdam at the end of June.
- Princess Cruises’ new 3,110-passenger Emerald Princess, launched last May, is taking over the line’s 10-night Baltic sailings from Copenhagen in summer 2009. Two itineraries are available, each including two days in St Petersburg.
- Carnival Cruise Lines is not only making its ex-UK debut this summer, but is also sailing the line’s first cruises to the Baltic. The 12-night voyages on new ship Carnival Splendor will be repeated in 2009 on Carnival Liberty, but with 10 departures from Dover instead of six.
- Cunard’s Queen Victoria makes its Baltic debut this year with a series of Russian Rendezvous cruises from Southampton.
- MSC Cruises’ 2,069-passenger MSC Lirica takes over the 12-night ex-Dover sailings to the Baltic and Norwegian fjords in summer 2009.
- Hurtigruten is offering a two for one offer on its Classic Round Voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes and back on departures between October 1 and December 14. Prices lead in at £1,230 for two people travelling together on a full-board basis.
