39 Cruise activity grows in Baltic Sea The Baltic Sea region saw a 12.3 per cent increase in cruise visitors in 2025 compared to 2024, according to the Cruise Baltic Market Review. Kristiansand in Norway experienced the highest growth in the region, recording a 34.2 per cent rise to 430,122 passengers in 2025. Seasonality patterns have changed too, with the visitor numbers for October, November and December increasing by 33.2 per cent compared with 2024. Cruise Baltic predicts guest volumes will grow by 9.2 per cent, calls by 10.7 per cent and turnarounds by seven percent in 2026. Maritime technology entertainment services provider Maxicaster has introduced a new approach to the delivery of live television channels for maritime operators. The system uses low Earth orbit (LEO) connectivity to deliver premium Live TV channels to any existing onboard IPTV system. This service is designed for use on all vessel types and can cater for any size ship. The service includes a multichannel receiver which receives channels over LEO at 50 per cent less bandwidth. Data usage can be further optimised onboard via a dashboard that allows operators to monitor usage, manage bandwidth in real time, and switch between high and standard definition formats. The service includes premium Live TV channel rights allowing ship operators to create customised channel line-ups based on passenger and crew demographics, languages and regional requirements. The technology can be used as a backup to traditional TVRO channel delivery, a complement for specific curated channels or as a full replacement of legacy broadcast infrastructure. Learn more about Maxicaster’s new approach to live TV on page 134 Maxicaster introduces live TV over LEO solution for the maritime industry Photo: AdobeStock/Mediteraneo
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