Since the 1950s, it had been a popular pleasure to go on a "butter trip" on the German-Danish Flensburg Fjord. Every day, thousands of people flocked aboard excursion steamers to cross the border and shop duty-free. Germans liked to buy butter, since it was cheaper (and supposedly better) in Denmark. Accordingly, Germans called the vessels “butter ships”. Tobacco, perfume, and spirits were also popular, which is why anes affectionately called the ships "spritbåde" (= spirit boats). Pensioners in particular enjoyed the convivial get-together at sea while playing cards and drinking schnapps. In 1999 the party came to an end - EU laws banned duty-free shopping.
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