The Port of Riga recorded 55 cruise calls by the end of August 2026, representing a 15% increase compared with the same stage of the previous year.
August brought 18 cruise calls and approximately 25,000 passengers to the Latvian capital. The month also included maiden visits by Scenic Eclipse II, Seven Seas Grandeur and Explora III, underlining Riga's growing appeal to luxury and expedition operators.
Current figures and forecasts indicate that the number of cruise passengers visiting Riga during the full 2026 season will finish approximately 30% above the 2025 total.
Three luxury ships make inaugural calls
Scenic Eclipse II made the first of the month's three maiden calls on 16 August. The 168-metre discovery yacht, which entered service in 2023, accommodates up to 228 passengers and is designed to combine luxury hospitality with expedition capability.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises' Seven Seas Grandeur followed on 27 August. The 744-passenger ship entered service in late 2023 and has 372 suites, each with a private balcony.
Explora III completed the trio of inaugural visits on 30 August. The 268-metre Explora Journeys vessel entered service in July 2026 and is the first ship in the company's fleet powered by liquefied natural gas. It can accommodate up to 900 guests, with private terraces provided for every suite.
The arrival of three recently built premium vessels in a single month supports Riga's efforts to establish itself as an important destination for smaller luxury and expedition ships operating in the Baltic.
Approximately 25,000 passengers visit during August
Riga welcomed approximately 25,000 cruise passengers during August. Several vessels visited more than once, while two cruise ships were present simultaneously on five dates during the month.
The largest ship scheduled to call was Princess Cruises' 115,875 GT Sapphire Princess. At the other end of the scale, Grand Circle Cruise Line's 3,504 GT Clio illustrated the variety of vessels included in Riga's cruise programme.
Operators represented during August included Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Silversea Cruises and Grand Circle Cruise Line.
Riga expects 98 calls during the full season
The port's 2026 cruise season began on 3 May with the arrival of Plantours' Hamburg. It is scheduled to continue until 26 December, when AIDAprima is due to make an overnight visit.
Riga expects to receive 98 cruise calls across the complete season. Based on current results and forward bookings, total cruise-passenger numbers are forecast to be approximately 30% higher than in 2025.
The Freeport of Riga Authority attributes the growth to long-term cooperation with Riga City Council, the Riga Investment and Tourism Agency and other partners promoting the city as a Baltic cruise destination.
Luxury cruising remains a strategic priority
Attracting luxury and expedition ships is one of the port's strategic tourism priorities. These vessels generally carry fewer passengers than the industry's largest resort ships but can bring high-value visitors and offer itineraries featuring smaller or less frequently visited destinations.
Riga's position on Baltic itineraries places it alongside ports serving other northern European capitals and historic cities. Its concentration of maiden calls during August provides an indication that newer premium vessels are being incorporated into the region's cruise programmes.
The 15% rise measures cruise calls recorded by the end of August against the comparable point in 2025. The projected 30% increase relates separately to passenger numbers expected across the full 2026 season.