For the third year running, Copenhagen attracts Christmas cruises to its port. The cruise ships Aurora and Balmoral will arrive with 4500 passengers this Monday and Tuesday, December 15th and 16th.

Danish carols, Santa and traditional Christmas food awaits cruise passengers arriving in Copenhagen next week. The city was the first to welcome Christmas cruises in Northern Europe – a tradition initiated by Cruise Copenhagen Network.

“During the last years, we have worked with a strategy that encourages cruise lines to discover the possibilities Copenhagen has to offer. It is both traditional and modern, which differentiates the destination from its competitors – even in December. Because of the Christmas cruises, our cruise season has now been expanded,” says Per Schmidt, Chairman of Cruise Copenhagen Network and General Manager, Copenhagen Malmö Port.

Christmas activities and crew discount

There will be various Christmas activities for the cruise passengers and Copenhageners on the pier all weekend. Activities include an orchestra playing on the ships arrival and departure and a fireworks display on Tuesday at 6pm.

Members of the crew will receive a discount in the shops at the pier and on canal tours when showing their crew card. Canal Tours depart every hour from the polar bear statue at Langelinie pier Monday and Tuesday.

Record-breaking season

Despite the financial crises, Copenhagen has had a record year with 580,000 cruise passenger-visits by the end of 2008. This is more than a twofold increase of passengers compared to 2003.

With the two arrivals next week, a total of 301 ships will have called into port this year, half of which are turnaround ships.

The number of Christmas calls is set to double next year. Four cruise ships, among them Queen Victoria, have already announced their arrival in Copenhagen in December 2009.