Going on a winter cruise: what tourists choose besides Alaska

Against the backdrop of a significant revival in the tourism sector after the lifting of pandemic restrictions, cruise tours are gaining popularity. At the same time, there is an increase in tourist traffic to the north.

Norway is becoming one of the most attractive destinations for travelers, with a sharp increase in cruises. At the same time, in 2024, an even greater number of them is projected, according to Cruise Hive.

The growing popularity of the Norwegian cruise destination is explained by the fact that more and more tourists are looking for beautiful scenery in the northern regions. It is not surprising that more than 6.1 million cruise guests visited this Scandinavian country in 2023. A total of 3943 visits to cruise ports were registered.

The most visited destinations were Aalesund and Bergen. Aalesund was visited by 654,625 cruise guests compared to 237,000 guests in 2022. And Bergen welcomed 609,756 passengers, up 67% from 2022. Growth was also observed in other ports of call in Norway.

Experts note that this increase is not only due to larger ships, but also to the fact that each port of call offers guests something unique, which contributes to more diverse cruise routes and more frequent visits.

At the same time, there is a noticeable increase in the number of winter cruises to Norway. Despite the increased risk of winter sailing due to severe storms and ice, this season is popular because of the famous northern lights. At the same time, the increase in the number of visitors also contributes to the fact that larger ships are now calling on Norway, which can bring 5000 or more guests to the port.

It is emphasized that the Norwegian Coastal Administration predicts a further increase in the number of cruises in 2024. An additional 4% increase in the total number of cruise calls is expected, resulting in additional cruise ship calls to Norwegian ports of call. Similarly, the total number of cruise guests is projected to increase by 6%.

In 2024, major cruise lines are planning to visit Norway. Among them are ships from AIDA Cruises, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, MSC Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Hurtigruten Cruises, Costa Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Fred Olsen Cruises Lines, Silversea Cruises, and Oceania.