When the AIDAcara sails for Copenhagen later today, Kiel will mark the finish of its summer 2013 cruise season, with one call remaining on a Christmas itinerary in December.

It was a record-shattering year for the German port with 128 calls by 22 different ships, and more than 360,000 passengers.

“We are striking a positive balance this season, with tonnage up six percent and the number of passengers up four percent, we are happy with that,” said Dirk Claus, managing director.

Ships were able to berth both at Osteekai and the new Ostuferhafen terminal, which was built in time for the 2013 season with a quay of some 400 meters.

2014 is looking like a strong year for the port with 124 calls booked from 20 ships, with AIDAcara being the most frequent caller on her Northern Europe deployment program.

New callers for 2014 will include the Europa 2 in June, and the Mein Schiff 3, in May.