Destinations
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History

The Cruise Baltic history

In 2004, Cruise Baltic was established as a network consisting of only 12 member ports and destinations. Today, we count 32 and a lot has happened since! Curious to learn more about us? Read more below.

2024

  • Cruise Baltic welcomes Ystad, Sweden, as a new partner of the network, adding to a total of 32 partners.

2023

  • Sasstnitz leaves the network after three years. The network then consists of 31 partners.
  • Welcomes Riga, Latvia, as new partner of the network, adding to a total of 32 partners.
  • Welcomes a new Director from March 2023. The network's new Director is Klaus Bondam.
  • Lübeck-Travemünde leaves the network and Scandic is no longer a strategic partner.

2022

  • Cruise Baltic continues its sustainable efforts and hosts the conference Sustainable Cruising in Copenhagen where 19 cruise line brands sign a Memorandum of Understanding committing to the use of onshore power supply where available in the region by January 2024 at the latest.
  • Welcomes a new partner to the network, Lysekil in Sweden. Kemi in Finland leaves the network. Total number of partners is now 32.
  • Claus Bødker retired in August 2022 after 8 years as the Director of Cruise Baltic.

2021

  • Cruise Baltic hosts the conference "Shore power for dummies" in Malmö to discuss the support for OPS in the region and the challenges and possibilities involved.
  • Launches the Itinerary Planner together with Cruise Norway. A tool to ease itinerary planning in the Baltic Sea region and the Norwegian coast.
  • Welcomes Hamina, Finland, and Sassnitz, Germany, as new partners of the network, adding to a total of 32 partners. 

2020

  • Cruise Baltic becomes a completely paper-free cruise network.
  • Launches the first Cruise Baltic Sustainability Report which contains sustainable initiatives carried out by the partners during the year. It is a follow-up on the Cruise Baltic Sustainability Manifesto from 2019.
  • Launches a new strategy for 2020-22. The strategy has an increased focus on sustainability and innovation.

2019

  • Cruise Baltic launches innovative Port Development Overview.
  • Welcomes a new partner to the network, Nyborg in Denmark, adding to a total of 30 partners.
  • Hosts The Baltic Sustainable Cruise Conference where 29 partner destinations from 8 countries signed an ambitious Cruise Baltic Sustainability Manifesto.
  • Awarded Destination of the Year by Seatrade Cruise Award.

2018

  • Cruise Baltic rolled out a new brand including a new improved website.

2017

  • New strategy launched for 2017-19, which largely focuses on sustainability and innovation in the Baltic region.
  • Welcomes a new partner to the network, Kalundborg in Denmark, adding to a total of 29 partners.

2016

  • Emirates joins Cruise Baltic as strategic partner.
  • Cruise Baltic initiates an "industry first" by launching an online Guest Experience Standards tool.

2015

  • The cruisebaltictraining.com eLearning platform is launched in order to support travel agents worldwide on their Baltic cruise sales.

2014

  • Cruise Baltic welcomes a new partner to the network, Skagen in Denmark, adding to a total of 28 partners.
  • Becomes CLIA Global Executive Partner.

2013

  • Welcomes two new partners to the network, Aalborg in Denmark and Arendal in Norway, adding to a total of 27 partners.

2012

  • The Baltic Sea Region reaches the 4 million passenger mark.

2011

  • The Cruise Baltic Crown Award scheme is introduced; first recipient is Niguel Lingard, Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines.

2010

  • The Baltic Sea Award presented by Baltic Development Forum/The Danish Industry Foundation.

2009

  • Recognition as Destination of the Year by Seatrade Insider.

2008

  • Member of the world’s largest cruise association, Cruise Lines International Association and associate member of European Cruise Council.
  • The Baltic Sea Region reaches the 3 million passenger mark.

2007

  • Cruise Baltic continues without EU finance, now with 25 destinations.
  • Joins the UK cruise trade associations PSA and ACE.
  • Scandic joins as new strategic hotel partner.
  • Awarded Destination of the Year by Seatrade Insider.
  • HBH marketing prize from Copenhagen Business School.

2004

  • Cruise Baltic is created, with 12 destinations – partly financed by the EU.
  • Scandinavian Airlines joins as strategic partner.