Port Skagen (Denmark) received 5 cruise ship calls in 2021 including the first international port call for the Saga's newbuildSpirit of Adventure. The port was also visited by the boats Oceania Marina, SeaDream I, and Vasco da Gama (Nicko).
According to Anne Sofie Ronne Jensen, cruise manager Cruise Skagen/Port of Skagen, most of the cruise ship calls booked for the 2021 season at the Port had been canceled due to the COVID crisis. However, the port received 30+ technical calls and lay-ups from 4 cruise line companies (Lindblad, AIDA, Viking Ocean, TUI). SDK Cruise and European Cruise Service coordinated the ship calls.
Port's CEO Willy Bent Hansen explained that the increased number of technical calls with rather different tasks had created some new experiences and affected some of the operational procedures.
“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 cruise port did not have to invest in any changes due to the crisis, he explained that a flexible approach towards the technical calls had been appreciated by the cruise lines. The new port facilities in the recent port extension had been put to good use when more than one ship had called simultaneously.
Port Skagen is looking forward to the 2022 season with regular calls and tourists coming ashore again. At present, a total of 42 calls are scheduled from 18 different companies.