A Season of Maiden Voyages and Unexptected Calls
The cruise calendar opened on 6 May 2026 with the arrival of Plantours Cruises’ M/S Hamburg and concluded on 29 September with featuring both M/S Hamburg and Hapag-Lloyd’s Hanseatic Nature.
However, one of the highlights of the year was the breaking of seasonal boundaries. Mariehamn expanded its horizons by hosting two unexpected winter calls by the expedition ship Hanseatic Nature, proving that the charm of the Åland Islands extends well beyond the summer months.
In total, Mariehamn recorded 15 cruise calls during the 2026 season, including six inaugural calls, bringing unique vessels and new demographics of travelers to the capital:
- 3 June: National Geographic Endurance (Lindblad Expeditions)
- 18 July: Azamara Journey (Azamara Cruises)
- 22 July: Evrima (The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection)
- 31 July: Le Champlain (Ponant)
- 7 August: Amera (Phoenix Reisen)
- 10 August: Scenic Eclipse II (Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours)
To honor these milestones, a joint welcoming delegation representing the Town of Mariehamn, the Port of Mariehamn and Visit Åland as well as Åland Sea Shipping boarded each ship on its maiden voyage to exchange traditional plaques and extend a warm, authentic Ålandic welcome.
Immersive Excursions and Ultra-Luxury Yachting
The 2026 season was highly defined by the presence of ultra-luxury ”discovery yachts” like the Scenic Eclipse II and The Ritz-Carlton’s Evrima, alongside iconic exploration brands like National Geographic Endurance. These smaller, high-end vessels allow sophisticated travelers to closely interact with Åland’s environment and culture. Both Scenic Eclipse II and Evrima will return to the Port of Mariehamn next year.
Shore excursions this year focused heavily on localized, premium experiences:
Local food and drink tastings featuring local products
Archipelago boat trips using smaller vessels to weave through the outer islands.
Day trips to Föglö island to see traditional islands life
Visits to the Silverskär islands giving international guests an authentic taste of traditional island life, local heritage, and maritime history.
Looking Ahead to 2027
The Port of Mariehamn has 18 cruise bookings already confirmed for 2027, showing steady growth in interest from global cruise lines. Viking Cruises will make several calls to Mariehamn again next season after a few years´pause.
The 2027 cruise season is scheduled to kick off exceptionally early with another winter cruise arrival by Hanseatic Nature on January 31, 2027. With bookings stretching all the way into October, next year promises an expanded cruise framework that will bring more sustainable economic benefits to the Åland islands.
For more information on the destination, please read here Visit Åland.
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