This season, AIDA Cruises returns to Riga after a five-year break, with nine scheduled calls from three of their ships.
“We, as AIDA Cruises, are happy to be back at this wonderful port, showing our guests the variety of the Baltic. Also, with more calls than before in 2019: expecting nine calls in 2024 and also nine calls for 2025. Our shore excursion programme offers something for everyone: whether it’s a quick overview of Riga or full-day excursions in the surroundings to Kemeri National Park or Jurmala,” says an AIDA spokesman.
Ieva Lasmane, head of the tourism department of the Riga Investment and Tourism Agency, says:”This is an important event for the development of tourism in the city and confirms the attractiveness of Riga as an excellent cruise destination. Tourists from Germany are one of Riga's largest target groups, and the return of such a large cruise line to Riga shows that the negative impact of the geopolitical situation on tourism in the Baltics is diminishing. The beneficiaries will also be the restaurants and cafes of Old Riga, which will be visited by the passengers of the ship, giving an additional impetus to business”.
On average, 40% of AIDA passengers participate in tours, which is a typical attendance rate. These tours include various themed excursions around the capital, such as cultural and local tourism programs and culinary tours. Popular destinations also include the picturesque town of Sigulda and Rundale Palace, and some passengers opt for guided walks along the marsh paths.
"We are one of the most highly rated destinations in the Baltic Sea region. The majority of cruise lines note the high level of satisfaction of passengers after visiting Riga. Cruise passengers appreciate the various offer of Riga tourism products, including UNESCO heritage, cultural and historical pearls, local food and drinks, as well as the excellent location of the port nearby the old town,” says Jelena Burdastova, cruise business support specialist Riga Freeport Authority.
Most cruise tourists arriving in Riga are from Germany. In 2023, German cruise passengers made up 40% of all cruise tourists, totalling 32.7 thousand passengers. This year, with AIDA’s return, the Latvian capital is expecting even more travellers from Germany.
