Cruise traffic in Stockholm takes off - number of calls and passengers on the rise

The cruise season in Stockholm has officially begun, and this year a total of 136 ship calls are expected at ports operated by Ports of Stockholm. This represents an increase in both the number of cruise ship calls and passengers compared to last year. In addition, many of the vessels will be making their maiden calls, and a brand-new cruise line has chosen to visit Stockholm – a premium destination for sustainable cruise tourism.

The cruise season kicks off on 22 April with the arrival of AIDAmar. A total of 136 ship calls are scheduled, and most vessels are almost fully booked throughout the season, which runs until October. AIDA Cruises leads the way with the most calls – 31 in total – and AIDAmar alone will call at the port 14 times.

“We’re pleased to see a general increase in cruise traffic in the Baltic Sea, with most ships fully booked. Cruise ships and their passengers contribute significantly to both Stockholm and the wider region,” says Stefan Scheja, Marketing Manager Ferries and Cruises at Ports of Stockholm.

Of the total calls, 41 are so-called turnaround calls, where ships change passengers. These are particularly important for the tourism industry in Stockholm, as passengers typically spend an extra night or two in the city.

"The 2025 season will also see two onshore power supply connections for cruise ships at the central quay of Stadsgården. This is an important step in strengthening Stockholm's position as a sustainable premium cruise destination, and is highly anticipated by the cruise lines," says Jens Holm, Chair of the Board of Ports of Stockholm.

With the new onshore power supply connections, Ports of Stockholm will be able to connect approximately half of all cruise calls in Stockholm. The power connection allows cruise ships to connect to electricity directly at the quay, reducing emissions to air and noise levels in the city.

The largest ship of the season is Sky Princess at 145,000 GT*. She also shares the title of longest vessel with Britannia – both measuring 330 metres. The smallest ship is Clio, at 3,504 GT and 100 metres in length, while the shortest is Hebridean Sky, at just 90 metres.

Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection will be making its debut in Stockholm with its new vessel Ilma. Another newcomer is Vista, which will call at Stockholm twice during 2025. Both belong to the premium cruise segment. Other first-time callers include Carnival Miracle, Le Laperouse, Sea Dream II, Silver Shadow, Viking Saturn, Viking Vela and World Traveler.

Cruise ships calling at Ports of Stockholm can discharge their wastewater free of charge at the cruise quays. Four out of five cruise ships choose to do so. However, not all vessels discharge wastewater during their call – many are equipped to treat it onboard or store it in tanks for discharge at a later port.

Ports of Stockholm is Sweden’s largest passenger port and also welcomes the highest number of international cruise calls. Stockholm has become a popular year-round cruise destination. In 2025, only November lacks a scheduled call, and for 2026, calls are already booked for every month of the year.

International cruise traffic in Ports of Stockholm

The full list of this year’s expected cruise calls can be found on the Ports of Stockholm website and in the popular free app Cruise Stockholm.

*GT (Gross Tonnage) is a measure of a ship’s total internal volume.

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