AIDA Cruises brings Christmas magic to Kiel: Advent trips started!

AIDA Cruises brings Christmas magic to Kiel: Advent trips started!

The port of Kiel experienced a very special start to the winter season on November 29, 2025 with the AIDAprima's first Advent voyage. AIDA Cruises is relying on a year-round presence in Kiel, which Felix Eichhorn, President of AIDA Cruises, sees as an important signal for long-term investments in the region. The decision not only attracts cruise guests, but also strengthens the tourist offer in Schleswig-Holstein, as regionalupdate.de reports.

Since 1996, over 1.35 million guests have taken off from Kiel with AIDA, and almost half of them stay in the city before or after the cruise. This ensures a noticeable increase in the local economy. On changeover days, over 400 service providers process in the port and load up to 260 tons of provisions. The cruise industry therefore creates significant economic value for the region.

Kiel, a cruise hotspot

“We are pleased that the port of Kiel is now served all year round,” explained Felix Eichhorn at the celebration of the first Advent trip, which brought together guests from politics, business and the media. State Secretary Susanne Henckel focused on the importance of maritime infrastructure and the sustainable development of the port. These aspects are becoming increasingly important, which is why AIDA Cruises has been using the shore power system in the port of Kiel since 2021 to supply ships with electricity from renewable sources during their berths.

Dr. Dirk Claus, Managing Director of the Port of Kiel, reiterated the statement that these year-round cruises will make Kiel an even more attractive location. “The overall impetus for regional tourism is enormous,” he emphasized and went on to say that this would significantly increase Schleswig-Holstein’s visibility as a cruise destination.

Maritime tourism in Schleswig-Holstein

Maritime tourism is not just a nice side effect for Schleswig-Holstein, but a central part of the economy and living environment. According to the Schleswig-Holstein Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK), tourism sales amounted to over 10.3 billion euros. This shows that there is economic potential here that should be further promoted. Knud Hansen, President of the Kiel Chamber of Industry and Commerce, emphasizes how important water is for the country's cultural and emotional identity.

In this context, the IHK is calling for numerous measures to establish maritime tourism as an independent economic factor. This includes the expansion of maritime infrastructure and the greater integration of economic interests in environmental and coastal protection measures. The challenges posed by natural events such as the Baltic Sea flood in 2023 have also highlighted the vulnerability of the infrastructure and highlighted the need for future-proof solutions.

Overall, the signs point to growth for the maritime industry in Schleswig-Holstein. Innovative approaches and cooperation between companies and the tourism sector are required to prepare the region for the future, as is presseportal.de and ihk.de underline. With a good knack for sustainable development, Schleswig-Holstein can become even more visible as a maritime tourism location and benefit from it sustainably.