Tuesday 21 April “AIDAluna” called at Copenhagen, and thereby marked the beginning of this year’s cruise season. With 330 scheduled calls and 616,000 expected cruise passengers 2009 will be the biggest year for cruise tourism in Copenhagen.

2009 means 29 calls and 36,000 passengers more than last year, an increase of approx. 10 percent of call and six percent of passengers. “Copenhagen maintains its position as Northern Europe’s leading cruise destination”, concludes Arnt Møller Pedersen, General Manager, CMP.

Half of the cruise ships calling at Copenhagen this year are turnarounds – boarding new passagers. For the first time an on-board check-in system will be introduced on selected cruise ships, so a large number of SAS and Star Alliance passengers can check in their flight directly from the cruise ship. The idea is that this option will be expanded in coming years.