Cruises in Germany: Kiel opens the season

Kiel has officially announced the beginning of the port cruise season on March 31, 2012. In the opening ceremony took part one of the flagships of the AIDA German cruise company – AIDAcara liner. Great fireworks had been organized at the ceremony.

It is expected that the current cruise season in Kiel will be longer than the previous one. 2011-2012 season lasted almost until the middle of December. During this period the port of Kiel was visited in total by 26 cruise liners. The total number of visits was amounted to 137. Among the companies, which ships most frequently moored in Kiel, are AIDA, Costa, MSC, and TUI Cruises.

Kiel Week is one of the most active periods in the port. This year it will be held from 16 to 24 June. During this time the port will be visited by 11 cruise liners, as well as the legendary Star Flyer sailboat. MSC Crociere company can expect a kind of record this year. Three liners will visit the port of Kiel. These are MSC Magnifica, MSC Poesia and MSC Lirica.

Eight ships will visit Kiel for the first time this year. One of the most anticipated visits promises to be arrival of the Queen Elizabeth liner owned by the world famous luxury cruise operator Cunard Cruise Lines. Queen Elizabeth will visit the port of Kiel on July 24, 2012.

The port authorities also reported that during preparations for the new season had been modernized one of the main terminals - OstzeeKay - and today it meets the highest eco requirements. Thus, 100% of the electricity for the port is now generated from water.

Kiel is one of the key cruise ports in Germany and throughout Northern Europe located 90 kilometers from Hamburg. It is one of the key ferry ports. From Kiel depart regular trips to Oslo (Color Line), Stockholm (Stena Line), Klaipeda and St. Petersburg (DFDS).

Ilya Kalachev

Date: 04/04/2012