In the coming years, the port of Riga could see unique cruise ships of the highest level

Several new US cruise lines could enter the port of Riga in the coming years, representatives of the Riga Freeport Authority told LETA.

Riga Freeport Authority together with Riga Investment and Tourism Agency, SIA “Riga Ropax Terminal” and SIA “Riga Cruiseship Agency” participated in the “Seatrade Cruise Global 2024” exhibition in April this year, where they met with industry partners and representatives of cruise companies to discuss next year’s cruise line plans and current reservations.

Freeport states that it was confirmed during the forum that several new US cruise lines could enter the port of Riga in the next few years, and the return of some large cruise lines could also be expected soon.

In the next three years, the US cruise company “Princess Cruises” plans to increase the number of visits to the port of Riga. In this cruise season, the ship of the “Princess Cruises” line will visit Riga once, but in 2026, nine ship visits have been officially announced during one season, the Freeport says.

Edgars Sūna, the deputy manager of the Freeport of Riga for development issues, notes that negotiations have also begun with the management of the US-based cruise line “Carnival Cruise Line” regarding the inclusion of Riga in its tourist cruise route from 2026.

“Unless the situation in the region worsens, there is every chance to see several unique top-level cruise brand ships in the port of Riga in the next few years, such as “Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection” cruise yachts and “Explora Journeys” ships,” says Sūna.

Free port states that Riga has also received a favorable assessment from the American cruise line “Silversea Cruises”.

“Silversea Cruises” representative Suzanna Capačo states that this year’s cruise sales figures in the region show that the Baltic Sea route is also in demand without St. Petersburg. “All reservations are full for the summer of this year, and considering the positive trend, we are thinking about launching another new ship in the Baltic Sea next season,” says Capaço.

Free port reminds that

this year’s cruise season in the port of Riga will begin on Thursday, April 25, with the visit of the French cruise company “Ponant” ship “Le Bellot”.

A total of 67 cruise ship visits are expected this year, which is five ship visits more than last year.

LETA already reported that a total of 81,681 cruise ship passengers were received in the port of Riga in 2023, which is 7.9% more than in the previous season. Among them, most of the cruise travelers were from Germany, USA and Great Britain.

The Port of Riga is the largest port in Latvia in terms of transshipped cargo.

Cruise ship. Photo: Paula Churkste/LETA