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The new 2026 cruise season will start on May 3 and 4 with two calls of vessels operated by German cruise lines. This year, 103 cruise ship calls have been scheduled at the Port of Riga, which will be the largest number of ships ever welcomed in the port’s history, and this is 21% more than in 2025. It is projected that at least 135,000 cruise tourists will arrive in Riga this year, which is an unprecedented number of passengers exceeding last year’s figures by 17%. The highest number of vessels arriving at Riga will be operated by the U.S. cruise lines, and the majority of cruise travellers will be from the U.S. and Germany.
2026 cruise season in the port of Riga
Last season, the Port of Riga set a record for the highest number of passengers served in a single season. In total, 115,500 passengers arrived in Riga by cruise ships. Based on the number of visits announced for this year, it is expected that the 2026 season will set a new all-time record for both cruise ship calls and passenger numbers.
“We have seen a steady increase in demand for cruises in recent years, and Riga is establishing itself as an increasingly prominent destination on the cruise map. This trend may be driven by a combination of factors, including the geopolitical situation - such as the conflict in the Middle East - and shifting tourist preferences, as travellers increasingly seek cozy, compact, and safe travel experiences. It should be noted that the city of Riga and the Port of Riga have put in a tremendous amount of work to attract cruise operators, and today we see that this effort is paying off,” emphasized Edgars Sūna, Deputy CEO for Development at the Freeport of Riga.
The first cruise ship of this season will arrive at the Port of Riga this Sunday, May 3. It will be the 144-meter-long MS Hamburg operated by the German cruise company Plantours, bringing approximately 420 passengers to Riga. On May 4, Latvia’s National Holiday, the Port of Riga will welcome the 251-meter-long AIDAdiva, operated by the German cruise line AIDA Cruises.
A total of 11 cruise ship calls is expected in May this year, followed by 22 in June, 22 - in July, and 19 in both August and September - an average of around 19 ship calls per month. As in the previous year, the cruise season will extend into the autumn and winter period, with a further 10 cruise ship calls scheduled. The final call is planned for the Christmas holiday season.
The largest ship scheduled to visit this season will be Mein Schiff Relax. Its call at the Port of Riga on May 22 will mark its first visit to the port. The vessel is one of the newest additions to the TUI Cruises fleet, having been commissioned in 2025. Mein Schiff Relax is one of the newest vessels of the TUI Cruises fleet, commissioned in 2025. Approximately 333 meters in length, with a gross tonnage of around 160,000, the vessel features 19 decks and can accommodate up to 4,000 passengers. It offers a wide range of premium leisure and entertainment facilities.
As part of the season, 14 “overnight” ship calls are planned, when the ships will remain in port for two days. This year six cruise ships are expected to visit the Port of Riga for the first time, while on 19 occasions at least two cruise ships will be in port on the same day.
The 258-meter-long Norwegian Sun, operated by the U.S. Norwegian Cruise Line, has scheduled the most visits to Riga this year -13 in total, with accommodation capacity of approximately 2,000 passengers. AIDA Cruises (Germany) has scheduled 10 calls to Riga, while third result is shared by Grand Circle Cruise Line (U.S.) and Princess Cruises (U.S.) with 8 calls each.
According to research by the Cruise Lines International Association and Baltic ports, a cruise passenger spends approximately 60 -100 euros on average during a one-day visit to Riga.
Future trends and the Port infrastructure development
Bookings for ship calls in the coming years indicate that the cruise segment at the Port of Riga continues to grow. If current trends persist, it is estimated that approximately 130 cruise ships could call at the Port of Riga during the 2027 season, bringing around 155,000 passengers to Latvia’s capital.
With the aim to ensure high-quality service for the increasing number of cruise ships, the Port of Riga is developing plans to enhance and upgrade the port’s infrastructure. At present, the port can accommodate only two to three cruise ships simultaneously, depending on their length and draft.
As part of the development of new passenger ship reception infrastructure at the port, the Port of Riga has launched the ED breakwater demolition project. This project involves removing part of the breakwater and dredging the water area, thereby expanding access for vessels. The work is scheduled for completion in 2027, with the aim of enabling the first cruise ships to be accommodated at the Eksportosta berths as early as next year’s cruise season.
Information for media
- [email protected], +371 670 308 53
- Freeport of Riga Authority
- Mihaila Tāla iela 1, Rīga, Latvija, LV-1045
