The cruise ship MV Hamburg arrived at the port of Riga, Latvia on April 12, marking the start of the cruise season. MV Hamburg with a capacity of 420 passengers and 170 crew members, is a cruise liner owned by the Conti Group and is now operated by Plantours Kreuzfahrten. 

The ship stopped at Riga as part of its 12-day cruise, which began in Hamburg, Germany, and will take guests to several Baltic Sea cities, including Copenhagen, Denmark; Stockholm, Sweden; and Helsinki, Finland.

“We are pleased to welcome cruise ships to Riga again, although it must be admitted that this season will not be easy,” said Viesturs Zeps, chairman of the Freeport of Riga Board. “Currently, about 120 cruise ship visits are planned, bringing more than 100,000 passengers to Riga. At the same time, it must be borne in mind that the changing geopolitical situation and the war in Ukraine can and are likely to have an impact on cruise ship plans and the number of visits expected.

“Regardless, we are ready to accommodate every cruise passenger in Riga, giving us the opportunity to get to know the hospitality and uniqueness of our beautiful capital, as well as strengthen the city's economy and tourism sector.”

The cruise season in Riga is anticipated to last from April to October.