May 18 marks the beginning of Kiel’s tenth season as a port for Costa Crociere.

It comes as “Costa Pacifica” arrives in Kiel to become the biggest cruise ship ever to berth in the port. Arriving from Harwich, the Costa flagship was met early this morning by the tug “Bülk” and escorted with a fountain display to Kiel’s Ostseekai Cruise Terminal where her captain and crew were officially welcomed by the President of the Schleswig-Holstein state capital, Cathy Kietzer.

During an on-board reception she presented the traditional First Call plaque and, for the first time, the Guest Flag of the City of Kiel. “It’s a big day for our port”, said Cathy Kietzer. “We are delighted that Kiel has now been one of Costa Crociere’s base ports for ten years and also that the company is introducing its flagship in the Schleswig-Holstein state capital”.