Kristiansund welcomes record numbers

Thursday, July 21, 2022 - 12:57 by ce-press

Prior to the summer season the main cruise pier, Storkaia, in Kristiansund was upgraded with new fenders. A total of 130 dumper tyres have been mounted so far to replace the old and damaged ones. The total investment for the port will be around NOK1 million (€98,000).

As before, the pier can accommodate cruiseships up to 300m in length while Devoldholmen can take up to 220m. Both are located in the heart of the town where coaches can park easily on the quay. The port seldom has more than one ship calling on any one day.

This year the port is expecting 38 calls and a maximum of 29,000 passengers, making it the best cruise year to date despite some cancellations.

In 2019 there were 18 calls (maximum 13,000 passengers) booked to the region, including one to Smola island. In 2020 there were 25 calls (maximum 16,500 passengers) called, including two to Smola.

Hiking steps built by Sherpas are due to be finalised this autumn. A 15 minute drive from the pier, they will lead to a panoramic view of Kristiansund.

In mid September 20 cruiseline executives are due to visit the port as part of a Cruise Norway FAM trip which also includes Molde/Andalsnes, Geiranger, Skjolden and Alesund.

Kristiansund welcomes record numbers

World Voyager using new fenders in Kristiansund (c) Port of Kristiansund

Related port

Kristiansund

Kristiansund

Kristiansund is situated at the very edge of the Atlantic Ocean, spread out on four main islands with a charming harbour in the middle. The town is known for opera and clipfish (bacalao), with its own clipfish museum. The harbour boat Sundbåten is a great way to experience the town from the seaside. The tiny island Grip is also worth visiting. The scenic Atlantic Ocean Road is only 30 min. drive away. Kristiansund is a small but experienced cruise port with 25–30 yearly cruise calls from February to November, attracting mainly small and mid-sized cruise ships. The port is located close to the main shipping lane between Ålesund and Trondheim. Cruise ships berth directly in the town centre, only steps from shopping, restaurants, cafés and attractions. You can walk easily everywhere. Kristiansund is well suitable for winter cruises. An annual opera festival goes on for 3 weeks in February, ideal for a themed cruise in combination with Northern Lights in the north.

Molde Åndalsnes

Molde Åndalsnes

ANDALSNES is idyllically located in the valley of Romsdal, by the mouth of the river Rauma. Åndalsnes is surrounded by high mountains and offers a stunning scenery. Enjoy a live performance of the emerald green river Rauma, lush waterfalls, steep mountains and magnificent bridges. Highlights include the spectacular Trollstigen road, Trollveggen, the highest vertical mountain in northern Europe and the Rauma Railway, one of Norway’s most beautiful train rides. MOLDE is known as the town of roses. Situated by the Romsdalsfjord, Molde is renowned for its beautiful surroundings and wonderful views. The most famous viewpoint is Varden, with its extraordinary vista of 222 mountain peaks. Here you will also find Romsdalsmuseet, one of Norway’s largest and most comprehensive folk museums. Don’t miss out on a trip to the Atlantic Road, equally impressive both in sunny and stormy weather. Visit the marble caves or sail on a replica Viking ship to the old fishing village of Håholmen.

Geirangerfjord

Geirangerfjord

The untamed Norwegian landscape and dramatic scenery of the Geirangerfjord has been a magnet for tourists for generations. Every year thousands of visitor's flocks to our beautiful fjord landscape, inscribed on UNESCO List of World Heritage Natural Sites. As Norway's second largest cruise port, we need to change in line with our customer's needs. To develop the Geirangerfjord as a 21st century tourist destination, a SeaWalk (a floating pier system) was opened in July 2013. This enables cruise passengers to walk directly ashore into Geiranger town center. The SeaWalk develops Geiranger as one of the world's most unique tourist destinations, reduces the environmental impact, and creates a better customer experience. With SeaWalk in Geiranger and Hellesylt Quay, which was opened May 17th, 2012, the two charming villages at each end of Geirangerfjord are well prepared to welcome cruise ships in the years to come.

Alesund

Alesund

Ålesund has a beautiful setting across several islands stretching out into the sea, and is situated at the very entrance of the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Geirangerfjord. Above all Ålesund is internationally renowned for its unique architecture in the Art Nouveau style. The town was devastated by fire on a winter’s night in 1904, laying 850 houses in ashes and leaving 10,000 people homeless. The new Ålesund ‘rose from the ashes’ in the continental turn-of-the-century style with a myriad of turrets, spires and medieval ornaments. Aksla, the town mountain, offers breathtaking views across the Art Nouveau town, islands and fjords. The Art Nouveau Centre portrays the unique position Ålesund has in Norwegian architectural history and the Atlantic Sea-Park, one of the largest aquariums in Northern Europe, is located in Ålesund.

Skjolden - Sognefjord

Skjolden - Sognefjord

Welcome to the heart of the Norwegian Fjords. Skjolden is the innermost cruiseport of Norway, located at the head of the longest navigable fjord in the world - Sognefjorden. The approach is via the picturesque Lusterfjord, close to Jostedalsbreen, the largest glacier on the European mainland and ends at the foot of the highest mountains in Norway - the Jotunheimen National Park. The fjord is surrounded by several of Norway's major attractions – accessible on short transits!