The recently published Baltic and Norwegian Cruise Markets in 2018-2025 report provides a data-driven analysis of cruise vessel traffic and passenger volumes across Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden, and Norway.

Utilizing consolidated data from Cruise Baltic, the Norwegian Coastal Administration (Kystverket), regional port authorities, and cruise operators, the document outlines the recovery trajectories, structural realignments, and environmental updates defining the regional cruise sector.

A year of recovery and capacity redistribution
During the 2025 season, the combined Northern European cruise market reached 5,654 vessel calls and 10.6m passenger movements. Norway led this expansion with record-breaking traffic, logging 3,933 calls and approximately 6.3m passenger movements. The Baltic Sea market also demonstrated positive recovery, with calls increasing by 11% and passenger numbers rising by 10% year-on-year.
Despite this growth, Baltic traffic remains below pre-pandemic levels, reflecting the long-term itinerary restructuring that followed the withdrawal of St. Petersburg. This geopolitical shift has permanently redistributed regional capacity, with a notable portion of cruise deployment moving toward Norway’s fjords and Arctic destinations. Concurrently, operational profiles are changing; traditional seasonality is expanding into year-round activity through winter cruising, Christmas-market itineraries, and shorter regional voyages.

Future outlook and competitive drivers
The positive growth trajectory is projected to persist into 2026, with an estimated 9% increase in both ship calls and passenger volumes. Ports in the eastern and north-eastern Baltic are anticipated to lead this growth; for instance, Tallinn expects up to 190 calls in 2026, while Helsinki projects 117 calls in 2026 and approximately 150 calls by 2027.

To maintain competitiveness under shifting deployment patterns, such as longer voyages and stricter environmental standards, ports are heavily prioritizing infrastructure. Significant investments in Onshore Power Supply (OPS) systems are underway, with Tallinn targeting implementation by 2029–2030 and Helsinki by 2030, alongside ongoing shore-power expansions in Riga and Copenhagen. Despite regulatory uncertainties and geopolitical risks, Northern Europe remains a highly resilient and attractive cruise region.

Request the full report
This text offers only a brief overview of the data and market intelligence contained within the complete publication. If you seek a deeper understanding of these traffic patterns, port-by-port statistics, and detailed regional forecasts, make sure to request full access.

To obtain the complete publication, please contact the Baltic Ports Organization secretariat at bpo.office@actiaforum.pl.

The report was prepared for the BPO by the Consulting Team at Actia Forum.