By
Jacqui Griffiths |
This article was first published in the Itinerary Planning Special Report. All information was correct at the time of printing, but may since have changed.
Although Denmark’s capital city Copenhagen is already the largest turnaround port in Northern Europe, the cruise industry has realised that other Danish ports also have a lot to offer their guests. Hence, Denmark’s ports expect to set a new record when well over 1.1 million cruise guests visit the oldest kingdom in the world in 2018.
This year also marks Denmark’s longest cruise season ever. “In Copenhagen this year, the cruise season is 215 days,” says Claus Boedker, director of CruiseCopenhagen. “In 2016, it was more than 40 days shorter. We have worked for a long time to extend the season, so I am happy that we have achieved our goal. In fact, there are now only three months – January, February and November – in which we do not have any cruise calls in 2018.”
Boasting an ideal geographical location for Norwegian and Baltic cruises, the Danish ports are investing heavily in attracting more cruise business. In 2014, both Copenhagen and Skagen inaugurated their designated cruise piers, and currently Copenhagen, Kalundborg and Roenne are all investing in new port facilities, which will improve the experience of cruise lines and cruise guests alike.
In Copenhagen, a fourth cruise terminal will be constructed at Ocean Quay, where the turnaround operations primarily take place. The new terminal is designed to handle the large cruise vessels. In both Kalundborg and Roenne, investments in port facilities are being made with a focus on improving the operations of cruise vessels.
When it comes to shore excursions, both Copenhagen and the rest of Denmark have a lot to offer. For example, there are no less than seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites within two hours’ drive from every cruise port. In addition to the natural and cultural UNESCO landmarks, cruise guests can experience Fredericia, the only bridge-walking experience outside Australia; tour Kronborg Castle, which is the model for Elsinore, home of William Shakespeare’s character Hamlet; and cool food markets in Copenhagen.
In 2018, the local cruise network organised the first, and very successful, familiarisation (fam) trip to all the Danish cruise ports so cruise lines could experience the shore excursion possibilities first-hand. Based on the cruise lines’ feedback, CruiseCopenhagen expects to organise a new fam trip in 2019.
“I believe that the excellent cooperation between the Danish destinations, ports and the different organisations working in and with the cruise industry is the reason for these records and the popularity of our cruise ports,” says Boedker.
The member ports of CruiseCopenhagen are Copenhagen, Roenne, Elsinore, Hundested, Kalundborg, Fredericia, Aarhus, Aalborg and Skagen. These ports account for more than 95% of the total cruise calls to Denmark.