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Kiel wraps 2016 season with 6% more passengers

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AIDAvita closed Kiel's 2016 season on Saturday (Photo: Seehafen Kiel)
Germany's Port of Kiel handled 485,200 cruise passengers this year, up 5.8% on 2015. The number of calls totalled 147, a 10.5% increase. Seehafen Kiel announced the figures after the last ship, AIDAvita, visited Saturday.

Port md Dirk Claus said it was the best cruise season at Kiel so far.

AIDA Cruises, TUI Cruises, MSC Cruises, Holland America Line and Costa Crociere accounted for more than 100 calls this year, the bulk of the business. Twelve days with three or four ships in port were recorded during 2016, and one day—June 18—had five ocean cruise ships and two river vessels.

Kiel has 131 calls by 26 ships booked for 2017 so far. The season will stretch from April 9 to Oct. 25, the longest to date.

Starting April 29, MSC Fantasia will be based at Kiel as the first Fantasia-class vessel calling regularly. AIDA and TUI Cruises again will be the most frequent callers.

Ponant's Le Soléal and Fred. Olsen Cruise Line's Balmoral will make maiden calls.