Another Record Summer for International Cruises to Helsinki

This year 263 international cruise ships arrived in Helsinki carrying over 360,000 passengers. The number of passengers equalled last year’s record, when an annual increase of 100,000 passengers was recorded over 2007. Next season look promising as Helsinki has already received over 200 reservations for 2010.

“The international cruise industry does not seem to have been overly affected by the recession.” said Satu Raunola, Marketing Representative for Helsinki City Tourist and Convention Bureau.

“We had a record year from Australia in 2008 totalling 4780 passengers. The growth from Australia has been phenomenal; + 64, 5 % since 2005.” said Satu Raunola.

 “This year the numbers were down to 3600 passengers but we are confident as economy here is recovering very rapidly that the 2010 will be another rescored year for us from Australia.” said Raunola.

The 2009 cruise ship season in Helsinki began on 3 May and ended on 28 September. Up to five cruise ships called on Helsinki during the busiest days. Visitors from the USA continued to represent the largest nationality, accounting for approximately 22 percent of the total. The share of visitors from Europe is growing with each year, however, with 19 percent passengers representing the UK and 17 percent Germany. The next biggest nationalities represented Spain, Italy and Canada. Altogether last summer’s cruise passengers represented 148 different countries. 

Visiting cruise ships switched passengers 1 times in Helsinki. During these days between 3000 and 4000 passengers used the Hernesaari cruise ship terminal, and traffic between Hernesaari and Helsinki-Vantaa Airport was extremely busy. The Tourist & Convention Bureau’s team of Helsinki Helpers was on hand to serve arriving passengers at the Hernesaari cruise ship terminal, which was used by the majority of cruise ships. Other cruise ships moored in the heart of the city in the South Harbour.