International cruise travel brings a significant amount of income and jobs to Helsinki and the surrounding region. At the same time, more than half of the cruise passengers who have visited Helsinki would very likely recommend the city to a friend. This means that there are good chances of actively growing cruise tourism in Helsinki back to its former popularity.

According to a new study by the Taloustutkimus research company, the international cruise ships and their passengers that visit Helsinki will bring over 11.2 million euros to the city during the current cruise season through fairway and port fees and money spent by the passengers. If we also include the indirect impact from supply chains, the total impact of cruise travel will increase to 19.2 million euros.
In person-years, the direct impact is 122 work years and the total impact is 186 work years.

More than half of cruise passengers who responded to the survey stated that they are very likely to recommend Helsinki to their friends. This gives the Port of Helsinki faith that returning the number of cruise passengers to the peak pre-pandemic levels is possible by developing the sights and experiences in the city and by international marketing.

The Port of Helsinki believes in the opportunities for growth in cruise travel and is actively involved in developing Helsinki into a stronger and more attractive cruise destination.

“Earlier this month, Helsinki was named the world’s most sustainable travel destination in the Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) index. Tourists value sustainable destinations and services, so we have excellent conditions for success in this regard,” states Kaj Takolander, Head of Passenger Services.

“However, we also need significant focus on the international marketing of this destination. We are involved in this work both locally with the City of Helsinki and nationally with the Cruise Finland organisation,” Takolander says.

There is indeed much work to be done, as the cruises in the northern Baltic Sea can no longer stop in St Petersburg, the traditional highlight of the tours, since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Read the study (in Finnish)

Passenger numbers in 2024 decreased from previous season

The record year for cruise traffic in Helsinki was 2019, when 605,000 cruise passengers visited the city. Such numbers have not been reached since.

In the cruise season that began in April and ends at the end of the year, Helsinki will have a total of 97 (2023: 90) visits by international cruise ships, which will bring a total of 137,000 (2023: 163,000) passengers to the city and the surrounding region.

Ships stayed in Helsinki overnight 16 times, and nine ships visited Helsinki for the first time.

The proportion of smaller ships is larger than in the previous season. However, what is positive is that even the smaller ships have been fully booked.

Internationally, the cruise business is growing rapidly. During an economic boom, the largest ships cruise in places such as the Caribbean fully booked. Coming to the Baltic Sea takes time, and it would also require older ships to have new equipment installed to fulfil the environmental requirements in the special zone. However, cruise shipping companies are upgrading their systems at an unprecedented pace, which is why they are also looking for new destinations. Naturally, new ships are built to meet even the strictest environmental criteria.

This season, Helsinki will receive the most cruise passengers from Germany (47%), the USA (19%), the UK (18%), Canada (3%) and Australia (3%).

For German cruise shipping companies, the northern Baltic Sea is almost in their home field. Furthermore, many tourists believe that the relatively cool climate is an attraction factor for Helsinki and the Baltic Sea. The cool climate is also beneficial for the shipping companies as the amount of energy needed to cool down the gigantic vessels remains fairly low.

Helsinki’s first winter cruise season

The last conventional ship of the cruise summer season, AIDALuna, arrived in Hernesaari on 24 October.

However, a ship that specialises in winter cruises, MS Le Commandant Charcot, will be seen in Helsinki several times. The expedition ship that is reinforced against ice tours the northern cruise destinations, offering winter exoticism and modern luxury to a small group of adventurous passengers. Winter cruises are increasingly popular internationally, and they are a welcome addition to the cruises in the Baltic Sea, as well. Le Commandant Charcot will depart on a cruise from Helsinki for the first time on 2 December.

More information:

Cruise Manager Jukka Haarni, Port of Helsinki Ltd
jukka.haarni(at)portofhelsinki.fi
tel.+358 40 635 4639