Skagen, Denmark, picks up five calls despite national restrictions. Expects to receive 40 cruise calls in 2022
Skagen received five calls this year including the first international port call for Saga Cruises new building Spirit of Adventure: SeaDream I, Vasco da Gama and Marina also called.
“Most of the cruise calls booked for the 2021 season at Port of Skagen were unfortunately cancelled due to the Covid-19 and to the Danish, national cruise restrictions and it was with great envy that we read about how cruiseships were pouring into the ports of our Swedish neighbours,” commented Anne Sofie Ronne Jensen, cruise manager Cruise Skagen/Port of Skagen.
The port however received more than 30 technical calls and lay-ups from AIDA Cruises, Viking Cruises, TUI Cruises and National Geographic Expeditions. SDK Cruise and European Cruise Service were responsible for coordinating these calls.
“The increased number of technical calls with rather different tasks have created some new experiences and affected some of the operational procedures,” explained Willy Bent Hansen, ceo Port of Skagen.
“The technical calls have given rise to an increased level of co-operation with both the ships agents, cruiselines and the individual ships in particular. This has altogether been a very positive experience and definitely something that has strengthened existing relations.”
Although the port did not have to invest in any changes due to the pandemic, he explained that a flexible approach towards the technical calls had been appreciated by the cruiselines. In addition he said: “The new port facilities in the recent port extension have been put to good use when more than one vessel has called simultaneously.
“During the period there has been an extended cooperation with local service providers, recycling companies and naturally the agents. The ‘can do’ attitude from all operators involved as well as from the port, has been very useful under difficult restricting protocols and regulations.”
The port is looking forward to the 2022 season with regular calls and passengers coming ashore again. At present 42 calls are scheduled from 18 brands ranging from Ambassador Cruise Line to Scylla Cruises, of which 12 are first calls.
(Cruise Skagen, Cruise Europe)
