Strong cruise performance in 2025 and positive outlook for 2026

Across Copenhagen, Malmö, and Visby, the cruise segment continues to show resilience and strong growth potential. The trends for 2026 reflect a clear focus on extended seasons, increased turn‑around calls, shore power and new ship deployments — reinforcing the region’s strategic importance in the European cruise market.

The 2025 cruise season in Copenhagen performed as expected, with 316 calls and almost 866,500 passengers. Additional calls were recorded due to ship repositioning from other regions, underlining Copenhagen’s role as a key Northern European hub.

Looking ahead to 2026, Copenhagen anticipates a slight increase in passenger numbers with an expected 880,000 passengers and a continued consolidation of 312 cruise calls. A notable trend is the rise in turn‑around calls — where ships start and end their itineraries and change passengers. The number will grow 10% from 111 in 2025 to 122 in 2026, resulting in more guest time and spending in the city. The season will also see an increase in calls outside the traditional summer months and a stable number of overnight stays.

Visby’s 2025 season aligned with expectations, with 100 calls and 160,500 passengers. For 2026, projections remain stable, with figures expected to mirror 2025 levels and with continued expansion of the cruise season. The expectation for 2026 is 105 calls and 165,000 passengers.

In 2025 Malmö performed as expected with 3 calls and 1,670 passengers. For 2026, Malmö is set for significant growth, with 17 calls in total — including 10 turn‑around calls — and a total of 8,800 guests, demonstrating Malmö’s attractiveness as both a transit and turn‑around destination.

Cruise calls during the colder months — October 2025 to April 2026 — are expected to increase by more than 35% across destinations (from 64 to 88). Finally, 20 maiden calls — a record for CMP — signal new vessels and new deployments in the region.

The shore power facility for cruise vessels, developed by By & Havn, opened in Copenhagen in the summer 2025, and is among the largest of its kind in Europe. Shore power enables ships to turn off auxiliary engines when docked, reducing noise and emissions. In 2025, a total of 88 ship calls were connected to shore power. In 2026, it is expected that 183 ship calls will connect to shore power. This means that 79% of all cruise guests arriving in Copenhagen will be travelling on ships connected to shore power. The Copenhagen shore power facility will reach full power capacity in 2028. Nevertheless, the current capacity is well aligned with actual demand.

“We set for a strong year again in 2026 with solid numbers, more maiden and turn-around calls, and continuing to see more ships during the colder months. CMP’s shore power facility is well dimensioned to meet existing demand and the expected growth in connectivity. Our pricing incentives will continue to support shore power usage. The high share of cruise guests arriving on shore‑power‑connected ships in 2026 is a testament to the joint efforts and commitment of the city, the Cruise Denmark – Copenhagen and Beyond network, the port, and our valuable cruise line partners to accelerate shore power adoption,” says Luis De Carvalho, Commercial Cruise Director, Copenhagen Malmö Port.

CMP is incentivising the use of shore power supply by offering a rebate on port fees for ships choosing to connect. Furthermore, electricity is charged on a consumption basis at spot rates, ensuring competitive pricing. Shore power will become mandatory by law in 2030, when cruise ships will be required to connect and ports will be required to offer shore power connectivity.

For further information, please contact:

Ulrika Prytz Rugfelt, Chief Communications & Sustainability Officer, Copenhagen Malmö Port
E-mail: ulrika.prytz@cmport.com, Phone: +46 (0)70 252 00 98

Luis De Carvalho, Commercial Cruise Director, Copenhagen Malmö Port
E-mail: luis.decarvalho@cmport.com, Phone: +45 22 21 01 31.