Port of Aarhus expects record number of cruise ships in 2026

Before the end of this year's record cruise season in Aarhus, it is already certain that the 2026 cruise season will feature a record number of cruise ships to the City of Smiles.

A total of 73 cruise ships plan to dock in Aarhus in 2026, against the 61 cruise ships visiting Aarhus this year.

This means that up to 257,000 guests and crew members are expected to come ashore. A lot of them go out to eat, shop or experience Aarhus and the entire East Jutland region.

- We are experiencing a noticeable increase in interest in Aarhus as a cruise destination. This is an important business area for us that we work with ain targeted way, which is why I am delighted that in 2026 we will be able to take on even more cruise ships. More cruise ships is good for businesses in Aarhus and the whole region, says Aarhus Havns CEO Thomas Haber Borch.

Cruise ships in all months of the year

The Port of Aarhus works closely with VisitAarhus to ensure that cruise guests receive the best possible welcome to the City of Smiles when they arrive ashore, as well as guide guests further out into the city or to other tourist destinations in the East Jutland area.

As a result of a determined effort, the Port of Aarhus, in cooperation with VisitAarhus, Cruise Denmark and Cruise Baltic, has ensured that at least one cruise ship will arrive in Aarhus during all 12 months of the year. The ships are expected to be in Aarhus for an average of 10 hours.

- For the city and the area's attractions, cultural institutions, shops and the rest of the business community, this means that cruise guests also contribute revenue during the months when it might otherwise be a little quieter, explains Thomas Haber Borch.  

The Port of Aarhus expects that up to 85 percent of the ships calling at the cruise dock in 2026 will use the port's onshore power system.

- There is a great willingness among shipping companies to use land power whenever possible, and we can also see this in the figures. When ships turn off their diesel generators and instead supply power, we reduce particulate pollution and remove noise from the engines for the benefit of both Aarhusians and guests, says Thomas Haber Borch.

The Port of Aarhus introduced a green tax in 2024, which makes it more expensive for cruise ships to opt out of land flow. This means an additional tax of up to DKK 80,000 for ships that call at the cruise dock and do not connect to shore power.

For the 73 cruise ships, Aarhus is primarily a destination on routes that sail in the Baltic region, further up northern Europe and as far as the Faroe Islands, Iceland and Greenland.