Riga to host cruise industry professionals from around the world
On October 6–7, Riga will host the international "Cruise Baltic" association's conference, bringing together cruise line and Baltic Sea port representatives. A familiarization visit to the city is planned beforehand.
This week Riga will welcome cruise industry professionals from around the world, including representatives of cruise lines, Baltic Sea ports and destinations. On October 6–7 they will gather for the "Cruise Baltic Summit" conference, organized by the international "Cruise Baltic" association, taking place at the Tallink Hotel Riga.
Familiarization visit ahead of the conference
Before the conference, the Freeport of Riga Authority, together with the Riga Investment and Tourism Agency, is organizing a so-called FAM trip for cruise line representatives. Participants will include representatives of several major international companies, among them Holland America Line, Explora Journeys, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Princess Cruises, Disney Cruise Line and Carnival Maritime. Guests will take part in excursions designed to showcase Riga's tourism offerings and its advantages for cruise passengers.
Such visits are considered an effective tool for attracting cruise lines and promoting a destination, since route planning happens years in advance — discussions are already underway about ship calls through 2029 and 2030.
Conference topics
The conference agenda includes a review of Cruise Baltic's achievements and future plans, the industry's strategic goals, and the development of shore power infrastructure in the Baltic Sea region. Current cruise travel trends will also be discussed, including multi-generational travel and the impact of crew experience on passengers. A key part of the conference will be individual meetings between port representatives and cruise lines to discuss cooperation for upcoming seasons.
The Port of Riga joined Cruise Baltic, which unites 31 ports and destinations, in 2023. This year the port set a new record, serving 150,000 cruise passengers in a single season for the first time, with the total expected to reach around 160,000 by year's end — a 30% increase over last year.
