“We expect an increase of calls in Roenne from 20 (2016) to 30 (2017) and passengers from 9,300 (2016) to 15,000 (2017),” said Niels Lundberg, cruise and security manager for the Port of Roenne.

There are three inaugural callers for 2017, including the Thomson Celebration and Grand Circle’s Clio, and the big one for the Danish port: the new Mein Schiff 6 from German operator TUI Cruises.

“We are a summer destination but we are trying to expand the season,” Lundberg told Cruise Industry News in an interview. “Today we are seeing growth in the luxury segment and in the future, with new infrastructure, growth in the (mass market) bigger segment.”

The port expects to sign a deal for an extension of its facilities, including a new break water and a new multi-purpose berth to handle megaships. The contract is expected to be formalized by the end of 2017, with work set to be completed prior to the 2020 summer cruise season.