When cruise ships dock, it's about much more than tourists with cameras and short stops in the city. Cruises have become an important part of tourism, business and maritime development in Southern Norway, and increasingly the activity is also about sustainability.
In 2025, Kristiansand Port IKS had a total of 170 cruise calls and nearly 430,000 passengers. This has major ripple effects for the region. Calculations show that each cruise tourist leaves around 900 kroner in local value creation through trade, catering, transport, experiences and activities. In total, this corresponds to nearly 387 million kroner for local businesses. There is a clear trend towards year-round cruises, which means that tourism is spread throughout the year and spread across different types of industries.
Shore power and greener port operations
The cruise industry has long been criticized for its emissions and environmental impact. At the same time, major changes are now taking place both in ports and on the ship side.
- There are several perceptions that do not match the truth, and our strategy regarding the reduction of emissions and a goal of net zero emissions by 2050 is a high priority. We are on the right track, which our sustainability report for 2025 explains well. Shore power is an important element in achieving these goals, says Jon Olav Stedje from MSC Cruises.
Kristiansand Port IKS has been a leader in shore power in Europe in recent years. The port was among the first in Europe to provide shore power to cruises, and in 2021 Kristiansand alone accounted for a full 39 percent of all shore power supplied to cruises in Norwegian ports. When cruise ships connect to shore power, the engines can be turned off while the ship is at berth. This significantly reduces emissions, noise and local air pollution.
In addition, the port is continuously working on:
- waste management and recycling
- energy-efficient solutions
- sustainable port operations
- better logistics and reduced emissions from port operations
– Cruises are developing rapidly, and both ports and shipping companies are investing heavily in green technology and more sustainable solutions. Kristiansand Port IKS wants to be part of that development, says cruise manager Fredrik Auestad.
Read more about the MSC Sustainability Report here
From Australia and Canada to Norway
With its 306 meters and space for nearly 3,000 passengers, Celebrity Apex was an impressive sight at the pier in Kristiansand. The ship, which was delivered in 2021, is one of the flagships of Celebrity Cruises and represents the new generation of cruise ships with a focus on modern technology, comfort and experiences. The visit to Kristiansand was part of a longer round trip along the Norwegian coast.
– We were on a cruise in Norway nine years ago, and really wanted to come back. The nature and experiences here are completely unique, say Catherine and Luke Flood, who have traveled all the way from Australia. We have visited several places on the trip, including Geiranger and Oslo, and now Kristiansand. The city feels very calm, clean and pleasant. We like to be active when we travel, and have been out on Odderøya today, among other things, they say.
– Cruising is a great way to travel when you want to experience many places in one trip. It gives us the opportunity to see a lot without having to plan everything ourselves.
– Kristiansand seems like a very nice and quiet city, say Felicia and Joe Maiolo from Canada.
The father and daughter duo hail from Niagara Falls and are visiting Norway for the first time.
– The north of Canada actually has some similarities to Norway when it comes to nature and landscape, so we feel a bit at home here, says Joe.
– We have traveled with Celebrity Cruises before and find them to be very professional. This trip to Norway has been extra exciting for us, says Felicia.
Closely monitoring when the cruise ships arrive
Thomas Andrieux runs the souvenir shop Way Nor, right by Kristiansand harbor in Gravane. The shop was established by his father Atle Korsmo, who is the founder of the Way Nor concept that has several souvenir shops in Norway. He keeps a close eye on when the cruise ships arrive, so that they can arrange for enough goods and staff in the shop.
- It is a myth that cruise tourists do not leave money in the city, we make good money from cruise tourists who want souvenirs, gifts and various goods. We are especially happy with the larger cruise ships that are here now, when we have several hundred customers in within a few days. In Haugesund they have really got it right with cruise tourism, I feel that Sørlandet is on the right track in preparing for cruise tourists and I think it will get even better with time.
Important for tourism and jobs
Cruise traffic creates activity for:
- guides and transport companies
- restaurants and shops
- cultural and tourism actors
- dock workers and maritime services
For Agder, cruises are therefore not just about ships at the dock, but about jobs, value creation and international visibility. Cruise tourists travel throughout Agder for various experiences in Southern Norway, such as Lindesnes Lighthouse, trips to Båly and Tømmerenna in Vennesla.
– Cruise guests are an important part of tourism in Southern Norway. If we are to succeed with sustainable development, we must both set requirements and at the same time facilitate green solutions and further value creation, says Auestad.
The cruise industry still faces challenges related to climate and emissions. But developments are happening rapidly, both technologically and operationally. More and more ships are getting lower emissions, better energy solutions and stricter environmental requirements.
The next time a cruise ship docks in Southern Norway, it may be worth taking a closer look at what is actually happening behind the facade and what role cruises play in both sustainability, business and the development of the region.
