Liepāja hosts record number of cruise ships in 2026 season
Seven cruise ships called at the Port of Liepāja in the 2026 season, bringing over 4,200 passengers — a new season record. Eleven ship visits are already booked for 2027.
The Port of Liepāja welcomed seven cruise ships during the 2026 season, the highest number of ships received in a single season in the city's history. The vessels brought a total of 4,276 guests, according to the Liepāja Special Economic Zone (LSEZ) authority.
Some passengers travelled between the port and the city centre on shuttle buses running every 30 minutes, while others opted for organised excursions. Across the season, 86 excursions were held with 2,244 tourists taking part — roughly half of all cruise passengers.
More visits planned for next year
Interest among cruise operators in Liepāja remains strong: 11 ship visits have already been booked for the port in 2027. Cruise ships returned to Liepāja in 2018 after a long break, the result of targeted efforts by the LSEZ authority and the city to join international cruise routes.
LSEZ director Uldis Hmieļevskis says Liepāja has already established itself on the Baltic cruise map, and the main task now is to consolidate and build on that progress. The city's longer-term ambition is to host more than 20 cruise ships per season, which would open new opportunities for local businesses.
Economic contribution
Using estimates common in the international cruise industry, a passenger spends on average 70 to 100 euros at a destination, meaning this season's direct economic contribution to Liepāja could exceed 400,000 euros. Passengers and crew use local transport, dining and tourism services and visit museums and shops.
Hmieļevskis stresses the value cannot be measured in money alone — each ship visit lets thousands of people experience Liepāja's culture and history, and satisfied visitors become ambassadors for the city abroad.
One of Liepāja's advantages is the port's proximity to the city centre — passengers can reach the Great Amber concert hall, the Karosta district, the Seaside Park and the beach within minutes. The LSEZ authority, the Liepāja region Tourism Information Office and agencies RCA and ESTMA cooperate on attracting cruise ships.
