Cruise Season 2008: New companies and larger ships

Press Release
10 March 2008

COPENHAGEN 2008 Cruise Season

Cruise Season 2008: New companies and larger ships

310 cruise ship calls, bringing as many as 560,000 cruise passengers, make 2008 another record season for cruise tourism in Copenhagen. At the same time, new companies and larger ships are choosing the Danish capital as their homeport.

When the first cruise ship arrives on April 15, it will mark the beginning of another record season for cruise tourism in Copenhagen. With 310 cruise ship calls bringing as many as 560,000 cruise passengers, Copenhagen will once again lock in its position as Europe's Leading Cruise Destination. In 2007, Copenhagen saw 289 arrivals bringing 509,000 passengers.

At the same time, Copenhagen's cruise season is lengthening; beginning nearly two weeks earlier than last year and extending into late fall. Already on the books are two ships scheduled to call on Copenhagen for Christmas fun in December.

Underscoring Copenhagen's appeal as a homeport, where passengers begin or end their cruises, half of the ships that call on Copenhagen now use Denmark's cosmopolitan capital as a turnaround port, thanks to an excellent airport, efficient ship and passenger facilities, a population that speaks English as a second language and Copenhagen's many attractions.

New companies and larger ships
The high demand for cruises in the Baltic Sea region has prompted cruise lines to increase their capacity in the area. The region's popularity has attracted new ships, such as Holland America Line's Eurodam on her maiden voyage, as well as newcomers, such as Carnival Cruise Lines, which brings to Copenhagen its newest ship, Carnival Splendor.

The region is also seeing an increase in younger cruisers and family cruisers as well as more visitors from Southern Europe, with both MSC's and Pullman Tours' increase in capacity from Copenhagen this year.

Chairman of Cruise Copenhagen Network and General Manager for Cruises at Copenhagen Malmo Port, Per Schmidt says:
- We have seen an even higher interest from the cruise lines this year, and several new operators are going to sail in our area. For instance, Ibero Cruceros has deployed its ship Grand Voyager, and the new luxury brand Azamara is here for the first time with the Azamara Journey. The fact that the cruise operators are increasing their capacity and more and more of them are choosing Copenhagen as their homeport in Northern Europe shows that the long-term strategy of Cruise Copenhagen Network to improve facilities and attract cruise ships and tourists has been successful.

Copenhagen ranks no. 1
Also Princess Cruises is increasing its capacity in the area with Crown Princess starting and ending her Baltic cruises in Copenhagen all summer. The ship adds capacity for 3800 guests per sailing.

Bruce Krumrine, Vice President of Shore Operations, Princess Cruises says:
- We do regular surveys with our cruise passengers that show a high degree of satisfaction, especially in the Baltic Sea region. Our arrangements in Copenhagen are extremely well organized and popular. In fact, the city ranked no. 1 in 2007 on our list of turnaround ports worldwide!

For more information:
Anette Jensen
Cruise marketing director
Cruise Copenhagen Network
Cell phone: +45 23 38 30 59
www.cruisecopenhagen.com

Per Schmidt
General Manager, Cruises
Copenhagen Malmö Port
Cell phone: +45 40 87 99 44
www.cmport.com

Facts and Figures
The total number of cruise ship calls in Copenhagen?
2003: 246
2004: 264
2005: 282
2006: 280
2007: 289
2008: 310 (est.)

How many of these ships use Copenhagen as a turnaround port?2003: 82
2004: 86
2005: 93
2006: 104
2007: 120
2008: 147 (est.)

Passenger capacity onboard arriving ships?
2003: 259.000
2004: 320.000
2005: 363.000
2006: 399.000
2007: 420.000
2008: 475.000 (est.)

Passenger turnover?
2003: 268.000
2004: 361.000
2005: 428.000
2006: 458.000
2007: 509.000
2008: 560.000 (est.)

Cruise Copenhagen Network was established in 1992 as a partnership between the Port of Copenhagen, the City of Copenhagen and 45 professional suppliers, in order to strengthen and develop Copenhagen as the most successful home port for cruises in Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea region. We strive to ensure that our local cruise products and facilities meet or exceed international standards for safety and service.



Press releases Cruise Season 2008: New companies and larger ships Photos Contact Cruise Copenhagen > Cruise Media > Press releases > Cruise Season 2008: New companies and larger ships Cruise Season 2008: New companies and larger ships Press Release 10 March 2008 COPENHAGEN 2008 Cruise Season Cruise Season 2008: New companies and larger ships 310 cruise ship calls, bringing as many as 560,000 cruise passengers, make 2008 another record season for cruise tourism in Copenhagen. At the same time, new companies and larger ships are choosing the Danish capital as their homeport. When the first cruise ship arrives on April 15, it will mark the beginning of another record season for cruise tourism in Copenhagen. With 310 cruise ship calls bringing as many as 560,000 cruise passengers, Copenhagen will once again lock in its position as Europe's Leading Cruise Destination. In 2007, Copenhagen saw 289 arrivals bringing 509,000 passengers. At the same time, Copenhagen's cruise season is lengthening; beginning nearly two weeks earlier than last year and extending into late fall. Already on the books are two ships scheduled to call on Copenhagen for Christmas fun in December. Underscoring Copenhagen's appeal as a homeport, where passengers begin or end their cruises, half of the ships that call on Copenhagen now use Denmark's cosmopolitan capital as a turnaround port, thanks to an excellent airport, efficient ship and passenger facilities, a population that speaks English as a second language and Copenhagen's many attractions. New companies and larger ships The high demand for cruises in the Baltic Sea region has prompted cruise lines to increase their capacity in the area. The region's popularity has attracted new ships, such as Holland America Line's Eurodam on her maiden voyage, as well as newcomers, such as Carnival Cruise Lines, which brings to Copenhagen its newest ship, Carnival Splendor. The region is also seeing an increase in younger cruisers and family cruisers as well as more visitors from Southern Europe, with both MSC's and Pullman Tours' increase in capacity from Copenhagen this year. Chairman of Cruise Copenhagen Network and General Manager for Cruises at Copenhagen Malmo Port, Per Schmidt says: - We have seen an even higher interest from the cruise lines this year, and several new operators are going to sail in our area. For instance, Ibero Cruceros has deployed its ship Grand Voyager, and the new luxury brand Azamara is here for the first time with the Azamara Journey. The fact that the cruise operators are increasing their capacity and more and more of them are choosing Copenhagen as their homeport in Northern Europe shows that the long-term strategy of Cruise Copenhagen Network to improve facilities and attract cruise ships and tourists has been successful. Copenhagen ranks no. 1 Also Princess Cruises is increasing its capacity in the area with Crown Princess starting and ending her Baltic cruises in Copenhagen all summer. The ship adds capacity for 3800 guests per sailing. Bruce Krumrine, Vice President of Shore Operations, Princess Cruises says: - We do regular surveys with our cruise passengers that show a high degree of satisfaction, especially in the Baltic Sea region. Our arrangements in Copenhagen are extremely well organized and popular. In fact, the city ranked no. 1 in 2007 on our list of turnaround ports worldwide! For more information: Anette Jensen Cruise marketing director Cruise Copenhagen Network Cell phone: +45 23 38 30 59 www.cruisecopenhagen.com Per Schmidt General Manager, Cruises Copenhagen Malmö Port Cell phone: +45 40 87 99 44 www.cmport.com Facts and Figures The total number of cruise ship calls in Copenhagen? 2003: 246 2004: 264 2005: 282 2006: 280 2007: 289 2008: 310 (est.) How many of these ships use Copenhagen as a turnaround port?2003: 82 2004: 86 2005: 93 2006: 104 2007: 120 2008: 147 (est.) Passenger capacity onboard arriving ships? 2003: 259.000 2004: 320.000 2005: 363.000 2006: 399.000 2007: 420.000 2008: 475.000 (est.) Passenger turnover? 2003: 268.000 2004: 361.000 2005: 428.000 2006: 458.000 2007: 509.000 2008: 560.000 (est.) Cruise Copenhagen Network was established in 1992 as a partnership between the Port of Copenhagen, the City of Copenhagen and 45 professional suppliers, in order to strengthen and develop Copenhagen as the most successful home port for cruises in Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea region. We strive to ensure that our local cruise products and facilities meet or exceed international standards for safety and service.