Warnemünde draws a positive conclusion from the season: over 592,000 cruise tourists!

Warnemünde draws a positive conclusion from the season: over 592,000 cruise tourists!

The 2025 cruise season is coming to an end in Warnemünde. On November 5th, the popular cruise ship “AIDAdiva” will dock at the port at 8 a.m., ending a season that was marked by an increase in sea travelers. Ships and cruises reports that a total of over 592,000 passengers entered and exited the port this season - a significant increase compared to last year's 532,000 sea travelers. In addition to the increasing numbers, there was also an increase in ship calls: cruise ships docked in Warnemünde 165 times this year, compared to 147 in 2024.

A significant factor in this success is the quality and variety of the cruise ships that docked in Warnemünde this year. The largest of them, the “Sky Princess”, offers space for around 3,700 passengers and stands out with a length of 330 meters and a gross tonnage of 145,281. The demand for ocean cruises in Germany remains unbroken - a development that is also reflected in the data: around 40% of passengers come from Germany, followed by the USA and other countries. For many Germans, the ship is a popular form of vacation, especially because of the comfort and variety of leisure activities on board. Statista shows that 15 million Germans favor cruises.

Highlights and sustainability

Particular highlights of the season were the seven first calls, including the debut of the “Viking Vela” on May 12th and the arrival of the “Carnival Miracle” on June 12th. These innovations not only attract interest, but also show how the variety of trips on offer has expanded. What also leaves a positive impression: at least eight cruise ships used environmentally friendly power connections when docking and thus actively contributed to ecological sustainability. A total of 2.15 million kilowatt hours of environmentally friendly shore power were purchased.

But it's not just cruise operators who are benefiting from this boom. The region also comes alive - over 103,000 passengers explored Warnemünde and the surrounding cities such as Rostock and Berlin as day guests. These movements bring a breath of fresh air to the local economy. Dr. Gernot Tesch, Managing Director of ROSTOCK PORT GmbH, emphasizes the importance of Warnemünde as the main entrance gate for cruise guests in Germany and is pleased about the positive developments.

Conclusion and outlook

With 489,000 sea travelers who started and ended their cruise in Warnemünde, the port management draws a consistently positive balance for 2025. Germany is also up to its competition in terms of international comparison. Loud Statista Germany is the second largest cruise market in the world with the highest turnover, with only the USA ranking ahead of them. Dr. Gernot Tesch and his colleague Jens A. Scharner expect similar call and passenger numbers for the 2026 season as this year. It turns out that mooring in Warnemünde not only represents a trip to the most beautiful destinations, but also contributes to strengthening the region.