By
Rebecca Gibson |
AIDA Cruises’ AIDAcara berthed at Ostseekai on 13 April, marking the start of the 2013 cruise season at the Port of Kiel in Germany.
The vessel will homeport in Kiel during the summer season and offer 24 northern Europe itineraries, calling at Iceland, Spitzbergen and the North Cape.
Dirk Claus, managing director of the Port of Kiel, said: “We expect an increase of more than five per cent in passenger totals this year. During peak periods, we expect as many as 11,000 passengers and a correspondingly large amount of luggage at the cruise terminal.”
Kiel is scheduled to receive 21 ships and 128 calls this year, with visits from Colour Line and Stena Line, as well as Costa Cruises’ Costa Pacifica calling eight times and four cruise ships berthing on 29 June. MSC Poesia and MSC Musica will also homeport in Kiel.
The Port of Kiel has invested in the expansion of its handling capabilities and recently started construction work to extend Berth One in Ostuferhafen, which will be operational from June 2013. Holland America Line’s Eurodam will be the first ship to use Berth One on 9 June.
Claus said: “Initially Berth One will help ease stop-over traffic at the existing Ostseekai Cruise Terminal; from next year passenger exchanges will also be possible on this berth.”