In the north of Norway, the seasons during the year are very different. From months with midnight sun and daylight around the clock to polar nights where the sun does not rise above the horizon, as well as the periods in between, Tromso is experiencing a fascinating transformation in nature.
Harriet Willassen (Port Tromso' marketing and communication manager) said that was a natural part of their everyday life, and they knew "how to handle and operate in both heavy snow and sunny nights."
Combined with vibrant city life and great attractions and activities, that made Tromso a popular destination for visitors all year round.
The Norwegian port has welcomed cruise ships year-round for some years now. In 2022, a total of 172 cruise ship calls are scheduled, of which 33 are in the winter (from January to March), 17 in the spring (in April and May), 82 in the summer (from June to August), and 40 in the fall (from September to December).
Calls are now lasting longer and from a total average of 9.6 hours back in 2019, the average length of stay this year is 14.4 hours, giving passengers and crew more hours to experience the city, its attractions, activities, and city life.
In addition, the cruise port has focused on the benefits of using Tromso as a turnaround point, resulting in increased operations in recent years as well as for future bookings.
Willassen said it was very satisfying to see those concrete results of their strategy towards the cruise segment.
“We sincerely believe our region has a great potential for the cruise industry. Tromso is accredited as a sustainable destination so for us it is crucial that also the cruiseline activities are in close cooperation with local ports and destinations.”