The Stockholmtown Blog

Ports of Stockholm are building a new terminal building in Värtahamnen harbor. The New terminal is designed by Arkitektfirmaet CF Möller/Berg Architects.

The terminal will be a part of the new Stockholm Royal Seaport district - 2,36 square kilometers area with 10 000 new apartments and 30 000 work spaces. One of the first steps in this project is to expand Värtapiren, which can begin as soon as all permits are ready. The expansion includes a total of 84 000 sq.m. new land where, among other things, Ports of Stockholm is building a modern and efficient terminal building.

"For the foreign tongue, however, even saying seven is simply too much of a mouthful. It’s true that most foreigners have no trouble pronouncing the number six, which is pronounced  “sex.” But the number seven, sju, sounds like little more than exhaling air, impossible for the non-native Swede to pronounce properly.

So that I never have to say sju, I make it a point not to accept seven of anything. Seven tomatoes? No, I reply, I’ll take sex instead. For the foreign tongue, however, even saying seven is simply too much of a mouthful. It’s true that most foreigners have no trouble pronouncing the number six, which is “sex.” But the number seven, sju, sounds like little more than exhaling air, impossible for the non-native Swede to pronounce properly.

So that I never have to say sju, I make it a point not to accept seven of anything. Seven tomatoes? No, I reply, I’ll take sex instead, which often gets me a curious look."

On announcing the award to Cruise Baltic Network, Hans Skov Christensen said: “The cruise industry is global and booming. The competition is tough not least with other destinations such as the Caribbean and Mediterranean. Cruise Baltic demonstrates how our diversity and common history in the Baltic Sea Region can become an attractive business product, if it is successfully managed and marketed.”

Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited (RCCL) will open a sales office in Stockholm.

Stockholm was rated as the best overall visit by the cruise passengers from the European Cruise Sector Survey Project in 2008. Stockholm was also listed on top for the variety of things to see and do on the destination and for the friendly residents. On top of this the passengers thought Stockholm met their expectations best and they are most likely to recommend the city to others.

Best destination experience and most responsive port
Dreamworld Cruise Destination recognized Stockholm for the second year in a row. This time Stockholm took top honors in two categories for the season of 2008. One award was for the Best Destination Experience (independent tours), where the quality of experience derives from passengers making their own arrangements for their time ashore. The other award was in the category Most Responsive Port. The prizes were awarded at the convention Cruise Shipping Miami just recently by DreamWorld magazine.

Top turnaround port in the world
Increasingly, cruise companies are choosing Stockholm as a turnaround point, i.e. a starting or finishing port for the cruise, thanks to the city's huge appeal, good hotel standards and convenient direct flights to Europe and the United States. In 2008 Stockholm hosted 28 turnarounds from 9 Cruise Lines and the response from the passengers was enthusiastic. Stockholm was rated 2nd Best Turnaround Port in the World - according to a Princess Cruises Shorex Passenger Survey 2008.

In 2009 Stockholm expect some 400.000 cruise passengers on more than 300 ships of which 39 calls will be turnarounds, compared to the 365.000 passengers and 265 ships in 2008.
- We have been working intensively for many years to place Stockholm on the map as a cruise destination. And despite the worldwide financial crisis, all reports now shows that we will have another record season - Cruise Lines have expressed optimism. Moreover, because the Euro and U.S. dollar are trading so favourably against the Swedish Crown, Stockholm and Sweden provide exceptional value when compared to other destinations in Northern Europe. We are very optimistic about the season, says Josefin Haraldsson, project manager for the Stockholm Cruise Network

Read the entire press release here

Photo: Stockholm Visitors Board
Stockholm was chosen the winner of 2007  DreamWorld Cruise Destinations Award in the category "Best Destination Experience" (Organised Tours). The prize was awarded at the Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention in Miami just recently by DreamWorld magazine.  

The first step to a new cruise terminal in Stockholm has been taken. Building number 9 in Frihamnen is beeing renovated in order to take care of cruise visitors from spring 2008. 
 

The large terminal will be 3,000 square metres in area and will be finished in time for the 2008 cruise season. Magazine 9 on the Frihamnen pier is to undergo a complete interior and exterior renovation. The terminal will be 3,000 square metres in area and will include a café, Internet access, shops, a departures hall, customs and luggage handling. The new terminal will exude a sense of modern Swedish design. Every year hundreds of international cruise liners call at Stockholm during the summer season. The number of calls is growing steadily, and over 300,000 cruise ship passengers are expected in the run-up to the 2007 season.

- This is an extremely important tourist group for Stockholm?s ever growing tourism industry. A good first impression ensures satisfied ambassadors for Stockholm as a destination,? says Martin Rosborg, Managing Director of Stockholm Visitors Board.

Construction will begin in spring 2007 to ensure it is completed in time for the 2008 cruise season, which runs from May to October. Planning for potential uses of the terminal during the winter is currently under way.