Baltic Sea Cruise Activity Rises in 2025 as More Ports See Growth

The newly published Cruise Baltic Market Review shows broad‑based growth in 2025, with many medium‑sized and large destinations reporting increases in calls, guests, and turnarounds. This indicates a more balanced and resilient regional cruise market.

In 2025, the cruise activity in the region increased from 2024 in terms of guests, port calls, and turnarounds with respectively 12.3%, 12.8%, and 5.6%. 

“The 2025 results show a stronger and more stable development across the Baltic Sea region. The growth we see across many destinations is very positive and reinforces the region’s continued appeal to cruise lines and their guests” says Klaus Bondam, Director of Cruise Baltic.

The share of calls going to the five largest ports remains stable at around 50% in 2025, confirming that the increase is not driven solely by the major hubs and that demand is spread across many ports. However, compared to the pre‑Covid period, the composition of the region’s largest cruise ports has changed. Where Stockholm, Helsinki and Tallinn were previously among the Top 5 ports, today the Top 5 consists of Copenhagen, Kiel, Oslo, Rostock and Kristiansand. 

Sharp rise of winter cruise activity across the Baltic Sea 
Beyond overall growth, seasonality patterns are also changing, and while summer remains the peak season, the Cruise Baltic Market Review shows that the number of guests who visit the region during Q3 and Q4 is growing rapidly. For Q4 calls in 2025, the region saw an increase of 33.2 % compared to 2024. Cruise guests have opened their eyes to see the region during Christmas and autumn and thus contribute to strengthening the year-round economy in the ports and destinations. 

“It is encouraging to see more ships visiting during Q3 and especially Q4. Guests are increasingly seeking new and memorable experiences, and our region offers something genuinely unique during the autumn and winter months” says Klaus Bondam.

Looking ahead, the 2026 forecast indicates that growth is not temporary. Guest volumes are expected to grow by 9.2% while calls and turnarounds are projected to grow by 10.7% and 7% respectively. 

More facts from the Cruise Baltic Market Review:

Copenhagen remains the region’s largest cruise port in terms of calls with 316 calls in 2025.

2026 predicts 487 turanarounds in the region, exceeding pre-Covid levels. 

The number of guests per call will decrease slightly in 2026 due to more small and medium sized cruise lines choosing the Baltic Sea, i.e. the region's attractiveness is spreading to new cruise lines, so the market is diversifying. 

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Read the full market review here: https://www.cruisebaltic.com/modularpages/reports-and-other 

Cruise Baltic was founded in 2004 and is a B2B network of 31 cruise ports in the 

Baltic Sea region aiming to promote the region towards cruise lines and travel agents. The network offers all cruise lines easy access, great service, high standards, and full integration between ports and cities throughout the region. 

Please read more at www.cruisebaltic.com. 

Photo caption: Aleksi Poutanen

For further information, please contact Klaus Bondam, Director of Cruise Baltic, at klb@woco.dk and telephone +45 40 70 83 65.