Thread: Baltic overtakes Alaska in popularity

Copenhagen booms as Baltic overtakes Alaska in popularity as destination

This year’s cruise season was the best ever in Copenhagn, where 306 cruise ships with a total of 580,000 cruise guests on board, making a 15% increase over the previous year. This makes Copenhagen the most popular city in the Baltic region for cruises, and the city cements its position as the leading cruise port in Northern Europe, port operator Copenhagen Mamo Port (CMP) said in a statement, adding that the Baltic has overtaken Alsaska in popularity as destination.

“Copenhagen is a very attractive cruise destination, so this year's record will be beaten already next year. For 2009 Copenhagen holds bookings already for 332 cruise calls and reaches the 650.000 mark in total number of passengers. 160 calls of the total will be so called Turn Around calls, which can today be accommodated - Copenhagen being the only port in the area which can operate five Turn Around ships simultaneously.

The Caribbean remains biggest cruise destination market, closely followed by the Mediterranean. But now the Baltic region has grown more popular for cruises than Alaska, and represents the third most popular cruise region in the world. Many Baltic ports and cities benefit from this fact and Copenhagen prospers being the port in the Baltic region where most passengers begin and end their cruises.

On an annual basis, it is estimated that cruise passengers spend some $100 million in Copenhagen, to which must be added the income from the ships themselves in provisioning, fuelling, fresh water purchases, repairs and harbour fees etc, which amount to a further $80 million.

from CBR

Having been to both I can understand why this has happened. Alaska was my first cruise and I loved it but have no desire to do it again. On the other hand I would gladly repeat the Baltic cruise, it was amazing!

While I have never done a Baltic cruise, I have cruised Alaska 5 times and hope to make #6 this September! Alaska is always changing....each trip is different in weather, sights and general overall beauty of the great country.

We traveled Europe extensively on land trips when Bob was working for the airlines, but even then, never made it to the Baltics. Our loss!

I have done over 50 cruises in Alaska (as crew) and almost as many to the Baltic.
I thought I had gotten enough of both but I could go back to those places in a hearbeat. More so Alaska then The Baltic if I had to choose.
Acually I miss Alaska every summer maybe because it reminds me of Norway??

I would venture to say that a big reason for the decline in popularity of Alaska sailings is the port charges, taxes and fees associated with Alaska cruising. My Alaska group last year included $486.19 per person that went to those charges.
This is a lot more than any other itinerary and factors into a cruises affordability.

Reggie

And add to that the high cost of hotels and food in Europe (not quite so bad as it was last year....) and you can see why cruising is so popular.

We cruised Alaska twice. The first time was the cruise & 1 night in Anchorage. The second time was the cruise then a 5 night land tour. It was fabulous.
But, I must say I loved the Baltic. We did the 14 night on Celebrity & spent a pre night in London. The Scandanavian countries are just beautiful & I loved St. Petersburg. This was our favorite cruise. 2nd. was the Med.

Only one pre and post night in London? I could spend a month there without batting an eye!

What is it that you love so much about London???

The culture, the history, the building, the people, the food (yes, the food, we actually found several great restaurants while we were there)

I had a long live from post when we did the Connie TA and I waxed eloquent about London. Then there is my thread on "What you need to know about London that you probably would not thing" http://www.cruiselinefans.com/united...t-england.html (Things the average American takes for granted- but you can't in England) Lots to love about London!