Cruises

What Cruises does

Cruises operates the kreuzfahrten.de domain (alongside kreuzfahrten.at, kreuzfahrten.ch, and crociere.it) as a German-rooted, direct-to-consumer cruise booking portal and travel agency. The platform aggregates more than 60 cruise lines and several hundred ocean and river ships — from entry-level ocean brands (MSC, Costa) and German-market favourites (AIDA, TUI/Mein Schiff) through to luxury and expedition operators (Hapag-Lloyd, Regent Seven Seas, Explora Journeys, Silversea, Seabourn, Hurtigruten/HX) — enabling search, comparison, and booking of ocean and river cruises for individual travellers in the DACH region and Italy. Underlying platform technology is a standard content-and-commerce web stack (WordPress-style CMS, Cloudflare CDN, GA-based analytics, Mailjet for the Cruiseletter newsletter, Usercentrics consent, Trusted Shops trust badge/buyer protection, Superchat live chat, and ADCELL affiliate tracking), augmented by native iOS and Android booking apps and an in-house 'Cara - AI' chatbot.

Commercially, the business is a commission-based intermediary: it earns a percentage of each cruise booking transacted through the site, plus ancillary commission from bundling flights, hotels, and travel insurance into cruise packages and from travel voucher (Reisegutscheine) sales. Distribution is omnichannel for the consumer segment — self-serve web, mobile apps, an extended-hours phone hotline (+49 6024 6718 0), an in-person Reisebüro/IBE cruiseportal, and the Miles & More loyalty-integrated Cruiseletter newsletter — supported by deep cruise content (ship reviews, 100+ destination guides, blog, video, podcast, and kreuzfahrten-forum.de). The legal entity, NEES-REISEN AG, is a privately held German Aktiengesellschaft, IATA-accredited and a DRV member, and also operates adjacent travel brands (golfurlaub.com, golfreisen.com, golfhotels.com, jt.de, and worldofcruise.com) within the group.

The customer base is a fragmented mix of DACH consumers — families, solo travellers, luxury cruise seekers, and expedition enthusiasts — with no single anchor account; the platform reports a Trusted Shops rating of 4.91/5 from 2,168 reviews, indicating broad-based retail trust rather than concentrated enterprise dependency.

Name

Cruises

Legal name

NEES-REISEN AG

Website

https://kreuzfahrten.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1935

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cruises (kreuzfahrten.de) is a German-rooted online cruise booking platform and travel agency that aggregates 60+ cruise lines and hundreds of ocean and river ships for individual consumers across the DACH region and Italy. It earns commission on bookings via its website, mobile apps, phone hotline, in-person travel agency, and Miles & More-integrated newsletter under NEES-REISEN AG.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cruise Travel Booking Services

NAICS

Tour Operators (561520)

akta.pro primary industry

Online Cruise Agencies & Cruise Booking Platforms (THAKAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cruise Aggregators & Online Cruise Agencies (THAKAAAK), Cruise Travel Agencies & Specialist Cruise Consultants (THAEAFAB)

Keywords

• Cruise booking
• Ocean cruises
• River cruises
• Travel agency services
• Cruise vacation packages

Headquarters

HQ city

Krombach

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Cruise Booking Commissions: The primary revenue stream is commission earned on every cruise booking made through the kreuzfahrten.de platform. The company acts as a travel agent/booking intermediary, earning a commission from cruise lines (e.g., AIDA, MSC, TUI Cruises, Costa, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity, Hapag-Lloyd, Holland America, Oceania, Regent Seven Seas, Explora Journeys, and many river cruise operators) for each booking completed. Revenue is generated on a per-transaction basis as cruises are booked.
2. Package Add-ons (Flights, Hotels, Travel Insurance): kreuzfahrten.de offers bundled travel packages combining cruises with flights, pre/post hotel stays, and travel insurance products. These supplementary services generate additional commission or fee revenue per booking.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

kreuzfahrten.de is an online cruise booking platform and travel agency that aggregates ocean and river cruise offerings from over 60 cruise lines and 400+ ships in a single marketplace. The company acts as a booking intermediary, earning commissions on each cruise reservation and on bundled add-ons (flights, hotels, travel insurance). Services are delivered through a multi-channel model: a self-serve e-commerce website, native iOS/Android mobile apps, a phone hotline, and a physical travel agency, all targeting DACH-region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) individual cruise travelers.

Product overview

kreuzfahrten.de is a German online cruise booking platform and travel agency that aggregates cruise offerings from over 50 cruise lines. The core product is the website-based cruise search and booking engine, supplemented by native iOS and Android mobile apps. Additional services include newsletter subscriptions (Cruiseletter), bundled travel packages with flights and hotels, Miles & More loyalty program integration for earning airline miles, and travel gift vouchers. The platform also offers customer support via an AI chatbot (Cara) and live chat widget.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• kreuzfahrten.de Online Cruise Booking Platform
• kreuzfahrten.de iOS Mobile App
• kreuzfahrten.de Android Mobile App
• Cruiseletter Email Newsletter
• Travel Packages (Kreuzfahrtpakete)
• Miles & More Loyalty Integration
• Travel Vouchers (Reisegutscheine)

Quantifiable outcome

• Trusted Shops rating of 4.91 out of 5 ('Sehr gut') from 147 reviews in the last 12 months (as of June 2026), indicating high customer satisfaction.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability2 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Miles & MorecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMiles & More is a frequent flyer loyalty program operated by Lufthansa and partners. kreuzfahrten.de integrates Miles & More into its booking flow, offering 350 award miles as a signup incentive for the Cruiseletter newsletter and potentially awarding miles for cruise bookings. This partnership drives loyalty among frequent flyers in the DACH region.
• AIDA CruisescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAIDA Cruises (with the iconic 'kissing mouth' logo) is one of the premier cruise line brands listed and promoted on kreuzfahrten.de. The company is described as offering 'legere und ungezwungene Atmosphäre' (casual and relaxed atmosphere) for families and active travelers. Featured ships include AIDAcosma, AIDAnova, AIDAprima, and others. kreuzfahrten.de earns commission on each booking.
• MSC CruisescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMSC Cruises is one of the major cruise brands featured, with ships including MSC Meraviglia, MSC World Europa, MSC Euribia, MSC Virtuosa, and MSC Preziosa. The line is described as offering Mediterranean hospitality and modern wellness concepts. kreuzfahrten.de is a key distribution partner for MSC in the DACH market.
• TUI Cruises (Mein Schiff)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTUI Cruises' Mein Schiff brand is prominently featured, with ships Mein Schiff 1-7 and Mein Schiff Relax listed. The line is described as offering 'Wohlfühlmomente' (feel-good moments) with premium all-inclusive amenities. kreuzfahrten.de earns commission on Mein Schiff bookings and promotes special deals.
• Costa KreuzfahrtencoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCosta Kreuzfahrten is presented as 'Dolce Vita auf den Weltmeeren' (Italian sweet life on the high seas) and Europe's largest cruise fleet. Ships include Costa Smeralda and Costa Toscana. The line is described as offering family cruises with Italian flair. kreuzfahrten.de distributes Costa cruise packages.
• Royal Caribbean InternationalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRoyal Caribbean is described as offering 'legendary mega-ships' with theme-park-at-sea experiences, water parks, climbing walls, and spectacular shows. Featured ships include Icon of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas. The company is a key luxury and adventure cruise partner for kreuzfahrten.de.
• Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNCL is positioned as offering flexible and versatile cruise experiences with Free At Sea upgrade options. Ships include Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Viva, and others. Norwegian Cruise Line is a featured brand with dedicated deal pages on kreuzfahrten.de.
• Hapag-Lloyd CruisescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHapag-Lloyd Cruises operates a fleet of 5 luxury and expedition ships (MS EUROPA, MS EUROPA 2, HANSEATIC nature, HANSEATIC inspiration, HANSEATIC spirit). The brand is positioned as 'Luxus meets Expedition' — combining luxury amenities with adventure experiences. kreuzfahrten.de prominently features Hapag-Lloyd as a luxury cruise partner, including special holiday voyage promotions.
• Regent Seven Seas CruisescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegent Seven Seas Cruises is positioned as an ultra-luxury all-inclusive cruise line with ships including Seven Seas Explorer, Seven Seas Voyager, Seven Seas Grandeur, and Seven Seas Mariner. kreuzfahrten.de features special offers for Regent (e.g., 'Bis zu 45% Preisvorteil + €500 Flugbonus').
• Explora JourneyscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExplora Journeys is a luxury cruise brand under the MSC family, with ships Explora I and Explora II. Positioned as combining modern design, cosmopolitan lifestyle, and relaxed luxury. kreuzfahrten.de features promotional offers (up to 30% price advantage) for Explora Journeys itineraries in the Mediterranean.
• Holland America LinecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHolland America Line is positioned as a specialist for Alaska cruises, Panama Canal voyages, and Caribbean cruises to Half Moon Cay. Owned by Carnival Corporation, the line is featured on kreuzfahrten.de with travel packages combining cruises with land tours.
• A-ROSAcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorA-ROSA is a German river cruise operator specializing in European rivers (Rhine, Danube, Elbe, etc.). The line is featured in the 'Top Fluss-Reedereien' (Top River Cruise Lines) section, with ships including A-ROSA ALVA, A-ROSA AQUA, and many others. kreuzfahrten.de distributes A-ROSA river cruise packages.
• VIVA CruisesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVIVA Cruises is a river cruise operator featured in the river cruise section. Ships include VIVA ONE, VIVA TWO, VIVA MOMENTS, and others. Distributed as part of kreuzfahrten.de's river cruise portfolio.
• Nicko CruisesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNicko Cruises operates river cruise ships (nickoVISION, nickoSPIRIT, VASCO DA GAMA) and ocean cruise vessels. Featured in both river and ocean cruise sections. kreuzfahrten.de distributes Nicko Cruises products as part of its comprehensive cruise catalog.
• Phoenix ReisencoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPhoenix Reisen is a German cruise operator famous for its ZDF documentary 'Das Traumschiff' (The Dream Ship), featuring the MS Amadea and MS Amore. The company offers ocean and river cruises worldwide. kreuzfahrten.de prominently features Phoenix as a key cruise partner with extensive route coverage.
• Oceania CruisescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOceania Cruises is positioned as offering 'legerer Luxus' (casual luxury) with 8 ships including Oceania Allura, Oceania Vista, Oceania Marina, and Oceania Nautica. Sails to Mediterranean, Iceland, Alaska, Caribbean, South America, New Zealand, Africa, and Asia. kreuzfahrten.de features Oceania as a premium cruise partner.
• Celebrity CruisescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCelebrity Cruises is featured as offering a diverse fleet including expedition ships to the Galapagos Islands and ocean liners of the Solstice class. kreuzfahrten.de promotes Celebrity Cruises with exclusive deals (up to USD 300 onboard credit), positioning it as a versatile premium brand.
• Trusted Shops GmbHcoreOthersTrusted Shops provides buyer protection and a trust badge for the kreuzfahrten.de website, signaling trustworthiness to customers. The badge shows a 4.91/5 rating and buyer protection ('Käuferschutz'). This partnership increases conversion rates by reducing purchase anxiety.
• World of Cruise (worldofcruise.com)minorOthersA sister/partner website under the same corporate umbrella (NEES-REISEN AG). kreuzfahrten.de links to worldofcruise.com as part of its network of cruise-related websites, providing cross-promotional traffic and expanding market reach.
• DRV (Deutscher Reiseverband)minorOtherskreuzfahrten.de / NEES-REISEN AG is a member of the DRV (German Travel Association), the industry trade body for German travel companies. Membership signals credibility and industry standing.
• IATA (International Air Transport Association)minorOthersNEES-REISEN AG holds IATA accreditation, enabling the company to issue airline tickets directly. This is essential for the cruise-plus-flight package offering and demonstrates professional credentials in the travel industry.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• TUI: Vertically integrated European travel and cruise group owning TUI Cruises (Mein Schiff). A major supplier-distributor competing with kreuzfahrten.de via its own direct cruise brand and broad travel platform.
• CHECK24: Germany's largest price-comparison portal offering cruises alongside flights, hotels, and insurance. A broad incumbent whose cruise vertical competes for the same DACH customers.
• Booking.com: Global OTA with cruise inventory from multiple lines. Incumbent whose cruise offering competes for the same DACH consumer travel spend and adds scale-driven marketing pressure.
• Expedia Group: Global OTA with cruise search and booking, plus broader travel ecosystem. Broad incumbent competitor for DACH cruise consumers searching internationally.
• weg.de: German online travel agency (part of Accor-aligned group) offering packages including cruises, flights, and hotels. Broader travel incumbent overlapping with kreuzfahrten.de on cruise distribution.

Direct peers

• e-hoi: German online cruise travel agency selling ocean and river cruises from multiple lines. Operates with a near-identical commission-based aggregator model targeting DACH consumers.
• Kreuzfahrtberater.de: German cruise-specialist booking platform aggregating cruise lines with editorial reviews and comparison tools. Directly comparable niche cruise OTA serving DACH.
• Dreamlines: German cruise-specialist OTA with a similar aggregator model, multi-cruise-line catalog, and DACH focus. Closest direct competitor in online cruise booking for the German market.
• Cruise.de: German cruise booking portal offering multi-line cruise inventory, package deals, and customer service for the German-speaking market. Closely mirrors kreuzfahrten.de's offering.
• Logitravel: European OTA with a strong cruise vertical, multi-cruise-line aggregation, and DACH-relevant presence. Comparable cruise-booking model serving European consumers.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/kreuzfahrten_de
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC5TwqQ6A0QJ38erOHT8JCug
• Facebookfacebook.com/kreuzfahrten.de
• LinkedInde.linkedin.com/company/nees-reisen-ag-kreuzfahrten-de
• Instagraminstagram.com/kreuzfahrten.de/?ref=badge
• Pinterestpinterest.com/kreuzfahrtde

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cruises