Viking Line experienced a phenomenal summer season in 2024, exceeding 1.8 million passengers between June and August. The company attributed this success to several factors, including the strong appeal of Baltic destinations, the increased frequency of departures on the Tallinn route, and the allure of newly refurbished vessels like the Viking Cinderella.
The Tallinn route saw the highest surge in demand, with a passenger increase of over 11% compared to previous summer seasons. The combined service of Viking Cinderella, Gabriella, and Viking XPRS on this route facilitated a total of 732,000 passengers during the June–August period. The growth in demand was further fuelled by the attractiveness of a weaker Swedish krona, making Stockholm more appealing to tourists.
This summer marked a significant milestone for Viking Line: the 50th anniversary of passenger service between Helsinki and Stockholm. The company celebrated this achievement with a total of 274,000 passengers traveling on the Helsinki–Stockholm route aboard Gabriella and Viking Cinderella. This milestone also resulted in a notable increase in market share for Viking Line, reaching 44% on this route.
Beyond their regular routes, Viking Line also operated seven special cruises to Visby, Gotland’s charming capital, which proved highly popular among Finnish travelers. All special departures were sold out in the spring, prompting the company to schedule two additional cruises in October and November to cater to continuing demand.
Åland’s appeal has grown significantly, attracting passengers on the Turku–Mariehamn–Stockholm route aboard Viking Glory and Viking Grace, the Baltic Sea’s most eco-friendly vessels. Viking Line transported 747,000 passengers on this route between June and August, solidifying their dominance with a nearly 70% market share.
The company also witnessed a remarkable increase in international tourists, driven by climate tourism and the post-COVID travel rebound. Chinese tourists saw a surge, tripling their numbers compared to the previous year. Other notable increases were observed among German and Polish passengers, as well as significant growth in tourists from South Korea and the United States. The peak season for international tourists coincides with the European summer holidays in August, a time when many Finnish residents have already resumed their daily routines.
