Kiel, May 15th, 2012: The cruise ship “Artania” of Phoenix Seereisen made its first call in Kiel today (May 15th) at the end of a short trip around Skagen. It was welcomed by a water fountain display from one of the port tugs. During an on-board reception Cathy Kietzer, president of the federal state capital of Schleswig-Holstein, officially welcomed the ship, passengers and crew, and presented the traditional First Call badge to Captain Jens Thorn. Cathy Kietzer: “A first call is always something very special. We are very pleased that the “Artania” is performing the first kick-off to a number of inaugural visits this year.” The “Artania” is the first of a total of seven cruise ships which will make their first call at Kiel this year. On June 3rd, Kiel is expecting the “MSC Magnifica”, while the “Columbus 2”, the “Hamburg” and the sailing ship “Star Flyer,” will be the new guests to the Kieler Woche (16th – 24th June). On July 24th, Cunard’s “Queen Elizabeth” will follow, forming the seasonal highlight, before the “Thomson Spirit” makes its first call in Kiel on August 24th.
Dr. Dirk Claus, managing director of the PORT OF KIEL (SEEHAFEN KIEL GmbH & Co. KG) said: “We are proud that Kiel is again among the base ports of Phoenix Seereisen. Kiel, with its modern terminals, first-class service and easy accessibility, is the ideal turnaround port, especially for German passengers.” The “Artania” was built as the “Royal Princess” in 1984, and measures 44,500 gross tons. She is 231 metres long and can accommodate up to 1,200 passengers. This year the ship is expected to visit the Ostseekai four times, in order to exchange passengers. Her final call during this year’s season will be on Friday, June 22nd, during the Kieler Woche. At around 7 p.m. tonight, the “Artania” will be heading for Riga, her first destination of a ten-day cruise to the “Pearls of the Baltic Sea.”
The SEEHAFEN KIEL GmbH & Co. KG operates Kiel’s commercial port on behalf of the Schleswig-Holstein state capital, being a 100% subsidiary of it. Being located in the close vicinity to the city centre, Kiel currently provides three passenger terminals for ferries and cruise ships at the Ostseekai, the Norwegenkai and the Schwedenkai. With 136 calls of 26 different cruise ships, Kiel has become, once more, the most popular German turnaround port. Up to the end of the season 375,000 cruise passengers are expected in Kiel additionally to 1.5 million ferry passengers. Kiel will continue to adapt the capacity of its terminals to meet the increasing demand. Berth No. 1 at the Ostuferhafen (East Bank Port) will be redesigned during the next few months ahead in order to be available also for cruise ships by next year. This year’s cruise shipping season will be completed by a ship from Phoenix Seereisen. The “Amadea” will visit Kiel on the occasion of its Advent cruise on December 15th and subsequently leave the Ostseekai heading for Copenhagen.
Source: port-of-kiel.de
