During 2017 cruise season, there were a total of 311 visits to Tallinn, bringing record-breaking 564,280 cruise passengers. Saaremaa Harbour had 5 visits bringing 1,513 passengers.
70 different cruise ships called the harbours during the season increasing cruise ship calls 14.7% in comparison with 2016. The passenger number also hit a whole-time record.
AIDA Cruises made 40 visits, Viking Cruises - 24 and Royal Caribbean - 21. Altogether 16 cruise companies made visits.
In 2018, a total of 335 cruise ship calls are expected in Tallinn and 11 cruise ship calls to Saaremaa, which will bring to Estonia around 580,000 cruise visitors. The first ever Asian cruise will be also welcomed, by MSC Cruises with Chinese passengers.
To improve guest experience in the port city, Port of Tallinn started to develop its Old City Harbour area according to Masterplan 2030 that is currently in the structural planning phase. Next come the detail planning and architectural contests, business plan, investor search.
The port intends to introduce more urban development to its Old City Harbour and to transform this area into revitalised urban space which is both easy to traverse and quite attractive. The development will bring Tallinn closer to the sea while still improving operations.