About Cruise Europe
Simone T. Maraschi
Chair of Cruise Europe
Welcome to Cruise Europe
As Chair of Cruise Europe, it is my great pleasure to welcome you to our region, a region that embraces an extraordinary diversity of destinations, from the Arctic Circle to the Atlantic coast, from the North Sea and the British Isles to the Baltic. Together, our more than one hundred member ports and destinations represent the very essence of Europe’s richness, culture, and maritime heritage.
Across this vast network, our shared mission is clear: to ensure that cruise tourism continues to develop in a responsible, balanced, and sustainable way. For our members, sustainability is not an abstract ambition — it is embedded in our daily operations, from the investments in onshore power supply and alternative fuels to the efforts made in community engagement and environmental protection.
We recognize that capacity, infrastructure, and evolving ship design pose ongoing challenges, yet they also drive innovation. Cruise Europe members are at the forefront of this transformation, working closely with cruise lines, local authorities, and communities to find smart, forward-looking solutions.
Our partnership with the cruise industry is built on shared values: economic vitality, social responsibility, and environmental stewardship. We are committed to ensuring that the benefits of cruise tourism are felt locally — supporting jobs, culture, and regional economies — while preserving the unique character and environment of each destination.
At Cruise Europe, we believe that collaboration and communication are the keys to success. By strengthening dialogue between ports, destinations, cruise lines, and stakeholders, we can shape a thriving, resilient, and truly sustainable cruise future for Europe.
Welcome to Cruise Europe — where diversity, innovation, and responsibility sail together.
Our Vision
To be the world's leading sustainable cruise region.
Our Mission
To develop, promote, and foster sustainable relationships between members and cruise lines.
Council, Management & Committees
Simone T. Maraschi
Chair Cruise Europe
Port of Hamburg, Cruise Gate Hamburg GmbH
Managing Director
simone.maraschi@cgh.hamburg.de
+49 40 42847-4970
Nick Hoogeweij
Chair Marketing Committee Cruise Europe
Cruise Port Rotterdam
General Manager
n.hoogeweij@cruise.rotterdam.nl
+31 (0)10 486 07 24
Ana Lourenco
Chair of Sustainability Committee
Port of Lisbon
Maritime Tourism Directorate, Cruise & Yacht Department
alourenco@portodelisboa.pt
+(351) 21 392 20 25
Helena Gomes Fernandes
Chair Atlantic Europe Region
Port of Leixões (Porto)
Commercial and Marketing Manager
helena.fernandes@apdl.pt
+351 96 200 10 51
Piet Vandenkerkhove
Vice Chair Atlantic Europe Region
Port of Antwerp-Bruges
Cruises Accountmanager
piet.vandenkerkhove@portofantwerpbruges.com
+32 478 25 67 04
Sirle Arro
Chair of Baltic Region
Port of Tallinn
Head of Marketing and Communication
s.arro@ts.ee
+372 5130979
Stefan Scheja
Vice Chair of Baltic Region
Ports of Stockholm
Manager Cruise and Ferry
stefan.scheja@stockholmshamnar.se
+46 70 770 28 13
Grethe Parker
Chair Norway-Iceland-Faroes (NIF) region
Port of Narvik
Marketing Manager & Head of Cruise
post@cruisenarvik.no
+47 99005842
Gísli Jóhann Hallsson
Vice Chair Norway-Iceland-Faroes (NIF) region
Faxaports
Harbour Master
gisli@faxafloahafnir.is
+354 6608921
Captain Brian Sheridan
Vice Chair UK & Ireland Region
Cruise Port of Galway
Habour Master
bsheridan@theportofgalway.com
+353 91 561874
Jelena Burdastova
Directly Elected Member
Freeport of Riga
Cruise Business Support Specialist
jelena.burdastova@rop.lv
+371 28683959
Luis de Carvalho
Directly Elected Member
Copenhagen Malmo Port (CMP)
Commercial cruise director
luis.decarvalho@cmport.com
+45 22 21 01 31
Ana Lourenco
Chair of Sustainability Committee
Port of Lisbon
Maritime Tourism Directorate, Cruise & Yacht Department
alourenco@portodelisboa.pt
+(351) 21 392 20 25
Nick Hoogeweij
Chair Marketing Committee Cruise Europe
Cruise Port Rotterdam
General Manager
n.hoogeweij@cruise.rotterdam.nl
+31 (0)10 486 07 24
Sirle Arro
Chair of Baltic Region
Port of Tallinn
Head of Marketing and Communication
s.arro@ts.ee
+372 5130979
Sonia Limbrick
Port of Dover
Head of Cruise Business Development
sonia.limbrick@portofdover.com
+44 (0)1304 240400
Simone T. Maraschi
Chair Cruise Europe
Port of Hamburg, Cruise Gate Hamburg GmbH
Managing Director
simone.maraschi@cgh.hamburg.de
+49 40 42847-4970
Susan Parker
Independent Publishing Professional and Cruise Europe Press
susanparkersp@gmail.com
+44 7932 774641