cruise liner hamburg

Ship arrivals

Cruise ships on the elbe current ship arrivals in the port of hamburg.

The Port of Hamburg , also known as the Gateway to the World, attracts visitors with its variety of ship arrivals and first-class cruise terminals . With three cruise terminals, Hamburg is the starting point for most cruises to and from Germany. Here you can find information on current cruise ship arrivals at the Cruise Centre Baakenhöft, the Docking Station in Altona and Kronprinzkai in Steinwerder. The innovative and ultra-modern new HafenCity Cruise Centre will also open in 2025. Immerse yourself in the maritime flair of the Port of Hamburg and discover the first-class venue for cruise ship fans.

Impressive cruise giants: Ships that regularly call at Hamburg

Every year, dream cruise liners call at the Port of Hamburg: These include the Queen Mary 2 and the Queen Victoria from Cunard , the Mein Schiff fleet from TUI Cruises and the AIDA cruise ships, including the AIDAperla and the AIDAsol .

MSC Cruises also impresses with luxury and elegance, for example with the MSC Preziosa , a jewel of modern cruising. All this makes Hamburg one of the most popular cruise ports in Europe and makes cruisers' hearts beat faster!

Ship arrivals in June

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Within the port there are three modern cruise ship facilities, the original at HafenCity in the re-developed old warehouse area and since 2010 a second at Altona in the re-developed area of the old fish dock. The Hafen City terminal is within walking distance of the downtown area of Hamburg.

Since 2015 The Cruise center 3 is also in operation in the port area of Steinwerder, right in the heart of the Port of Hamburg. The berth at Kronprinzkai is able to accommodate the next generation of cruise ships can dock there. Bus stop about 500m away from the terminal. The Water bus stop is nearby (not on weekends).

Some large cruise ships are using the Altona Terminal. It is not within walking distance to town, but has a very good water bus connection ( #62 ) to the Landungsbrucken wharf, where all hop on/off buses are as well as harbor tours are starting. The Water bus stop is only 20 meters from the aft of your ship and goes every 15 minutes in day time and every 30 minutes till' midnight. 1.30 euro per trip or 6 euros for all day including all other transportation in Hamburg. The water bus in it self is already a nice site-seeing boat, and a full round trip is fun!

Most cruise lines also run shuttles (10 Euro), to the central station. Taxi is about 13 euro each way.

Distance to Hamburg Airport (Fuhlsbüttel): 9.5 km.

The s-bahn train station is located directly below the airport terminal and the trains depart every 15mins. The journey to the main train station in the city center takes about 20 min's, to Altona station about 15mins.

Video of Altona Cruise Terminal

Hotels in Hamburg.

Webcam of the harbor.

Printable map to take along.

Cruise calendar for Hamburg and where you will be docked.

Watch a destination video .

Live Nautical Chart with Wikipedia Markers Altona and Port Location on Google Maps

Live Nautical Chart with Wikipedia Markers Steinwerder aka Kronprinzkai and Port Location on Google Maps

Live Nautical Chart with Wikipedia Markers Hafencity & Baakenhöft and Port Location on Google Maps

Sightseeing:

Three rivers - the Elbe, Alster and Bille - along with a scenic grid of narrow canals called Fleete traverse Hamburg. As if that isn't enough water, the city center boasts its very own lakes - the Inner and Outer Alster Lakes. The city center is home to most of Hamburg's main attractions. This half-moon area, which arches north of the Elbe, is bordered by a curve of roads whose names all end in wall (ramparts) and which mark the limits of the old city

Cutting through the middle is the Alsterfleet, a canal that separates the Altstadt (Old City) from the Neustadt (New City). Feeling lost? Look out for the bronze, helmet-shaped Michaeliskirche , an easily seen landmark, south of the city center.

Hamburg is best visited in spring or summer. A typical Hamburg visit includes a tour of the city hall and the grand church St. Michaelis (called the Michel), and visiting the old warehouse district (Speicherstadt) and the harbor promenade (Landungsbrücken). Sightseeing buses connect these points of interest.

Tourist offices are at the train station and at the harbor at St. Pauli Landungsbrücken between jetty 4 and 5.

Tours Excursions Transportation:

From Landungsbrücken you can make boat tours into the harbor. These Hafenrundfahrten are available from various companies and take around an hour. Big ships provide more comfort, but smaller ships also go though the Speicherstadt. Both are well worth the money. Inquire about English language tours (Often at noon time).

Also at the Landungsbrücken you will find the u and s bahn station:

Take the s1,s2,or s3 to Jungfernstieg, the lively center of Hamburg on the Alster.

or take the u3 to Baumwall to Hafencity , currently Europe’s largest inner-city development project – is a blueprint for the development of a European city on the waterfront. For a visit with an eye cast towards the past, have a look around the Speicherstadt. The listed buildings now house leisure activities such as the Minatur Wunderland with fascinating toy railway worlds, and Hamburg Dungeon . Museums can also be found in the Speicherstadt. There is German Customs Museum (Deutsche Zollmuseum), which tells the tale of customs and smuggling in Hamburg, or the International Maritime Museum with thousands of ship models and nautical charts.

Hop on/off buses.

Taxis are dependable, but expensive.

It pays to compare your cruise line tours here .

Nearby Places:

Many cruise lines offer excursions to Berlin, a rather long trip. Check the weather forecast for Berlin before you book. Berlin is stunning on a beautiful day!

Shopping and Food

The main shopping area of Hamburg is the Mönckebergstraße in the center of the city. Take the subway to either central station, Rathaus (town hall) or Mönckebergstraße. Also check the side-street Spitalerstraße. West of town hall towards Gaensemarkt are the more pricey shops like Hugo Boss. Shops are mostly open from 10AM to 8PM and to 10PM on Thursdays and Fridays.

In Germany snacks (Schnellimbiss) are widely available, especially Bock wurst (boiled sausage), Bratwurst (grilled sausage) and Curry wurst (spiced sausage), as well as fries and hamburgers

German fast food is cheap, hearty and diverse; there are a number of sausage stands, imbisses and specialty stands; you have many options from which choose. Many of the fast food is of Turkish origin, this food is very popular for being cheap and healthy. The German's favorite Turkish fast food is the Doner Kebab; a thick pita filled generally with either chicken or beef complemented with fresh French fries and salad.

Important things to know about Germany, like tipping, toilets etc.

Euro. There are plenty of ATM machines around.

In smaller establishments ask first if they accept Credit Cards.

Currency Converter

Communication:

German spoken. Germans are regarded as being punctual, disciplined and last but not least, a li ttle formal. In German there are two forms of you: "Du" and "Sie." "Du" is less formal, "Sie" is more so. You almost always should use the "Sie" form and someone's last name with people you don't know.

110 -- Police Emergency 112 -- Fire Emergency or Ambulance Call

Large bookstores such as Thalia have internet facilities, as well as many cafes etc.

Opening Hours and Holidays:

All stores must close no later than 8 p.m. Some close as early as 6:30 p.m. On Saturdays stores lock up at 1 or 2 p.m.; although in big city centers most stay upon until 2 or 4 p.m.

Sundays all stores are closed, except some bakeries which are open on sunday morning.

Holidays in Germany

Hamburg is famous for its festivals

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These ocean liners are coming to the Elbe in 2024

First time in hamburg.

Every year, new premiere guests announce themselves in Hamburg: from expedition ships to ocean liners, the most diverse types of ships head for the Port of Hamburg! Special highlights in 2023 include the two calls of the ships Ocean Albatros, Costa Favolosa, Seabourn Quest, Queen Anne, Sirena, Azamara Onward, Disney Dream, Mein Schiff 7, Villa Vie Odyseey and Sky Princess.

QUEEN ANNE © Cunard

AZAMARA ONWARD © Azamara

SKY PRINCESS © Princess Cruises

OCEAN ALBATROS © Albatros Expeditions

COSTA FAVOLOSA © Costa Kreuzfahrten

MEIN SCHIFF 7 © TUI Cruises

SEABOURN QUEST © Seabourn Cruise Line

Passenger quays with panoramic view.

Cruise passengers do not have to go far between city and ship. A whole four terminals are reserved on the Elbe for cruise liners and passengers. For big maritime events or multiple calls, the jetty at the Überseebrücke is also used as a mooring point for cruise ships.

The diverse infrastructure enables a high degree of flexibility and the parallel check-in of multiple ships. In Hamburg, these can make use of innovative technologies and draw their electricity for on-board operations from shore with low emissions during their layover times. In addition to Altona, where a system has already been in place since 2016, Hamburg is also equipping its other two cruise terminals with shore power systems. These will be commissioned by 2024 at the latest.

Terminal opening times

The passenger halls and their catering facilities can only be accessed during mooring and casting-off times. Opening times are based on individual agreements with the cruise liners. Exceptions are public events.

Please note that short-term parking spaces at the terminals are also closed once the ships have cast off.

Parking & Shuttle Service

The Holzhafen parking garage is located near the Cruise Center Altona. It is open 24 hours and offers special rates for cruise customers if the parking ticket is obtained online in advance via the pre-booking platform. A service fee applies to each booking.  to the offer

Steinwerder

At Cruise Center Steinwerder, on 35,000m2, a total of 1,500 flood-protected spaces are available for short and long-term parkers, taxis, buses and lorries. Bookings are only possible online, but there is a discount for cruise passengers.  to the offer

Valet Parking

The shuttle service to the terminal is included on booking a parking space. Besides valet parking (handover at the terminal), the company offers enclosed outdoor and hall spaces with CCTV. The service also includes transfers and hotel bookings before and after the cruise. Book online and pay in advance and save check-in time.  to the offer

Further parking possibilities

Grand Elysèe Hamburg Rothenbaumchaussee 10, 20148 Hamburg Two-storey underground parking garage, 500 parking spaces, 16 e-charging stations. Further information

Ameron Hamburg Hotel Speicherstadt Am Sandtorkai 4, 20457 Hamburg Public parking garage CONTIPARK Parkhaus Speicherstadt, am Sandtorkai 6 20457 Hamburg. Further information | Further information on arrival

Baggage Transfer and Storage

Passengers will find precise baggage transfer information and times in their travel documents. Unfortunately, there is no opportunity for baggage storage at the cruise terminals. Public lockers are available at the central railway station as well as at the Hamburg-Altona and Hamburg-Dammtor long-distance railway stations.

Even if the suitcase has wheels and the routes are easy to travel, journeys are more carefree without heavy baggage. TEfra Travel Logistics GmbH is a partner to leading cruise liners and specialises in baggage transport worldwide. Suitcases are collected from customers’ homes on an agreed date and brought to the passenger cabin. On return, the suitcase is transported from the ship back home.

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Cruise to Hamburg, Germany

Hamburg shore excursions, amazing experiences coming soon., sorry, there are no excursions for this port at this moment., things to do in hamburg.

Gain a New Perspective

Frontal view of the town hall in Hamburg, Germany

Hamburg has more museums than almost any other city in Europe, but the best way to gain an education is by visiting the historical sights themselves. Visit the Rathaus City Hall, with a 19th-century facade making for a perfect backdrop for selfies. Then, ascend the steps of the baroque Church of St. Michael to enjoy a panorama from 432 feet in the air.

Venice of the North

A boat traveling through a canal in the famous Speicherstadt warehouse district in Hamburg, Germany

Did you know Hamburg has more canals than Venice? A Hamburg harbor boat trip is one of the most exciting things to do here. Cruise through the historical warehouses along the Speicherstadt canal for a breathtaking experience.

Toast the World

Your Hamburg cruise probably won't stop in the middle of the night, but you can still appreciate the fun of the Sankt Pauli nightlife district. Many of its bars are open during daytime hours. Want to learn about the roots of the local brew? Check out Groninger Privatbrauerei, a baroque building where they brew a much-loved Pils.

Local Cuisine

Food in Hamburg has nothing to do with what you know as hamburgers. Herring is the most common fish here — it's served marinated in vinegar and fried as Brathering , a popular choice for lunch or dinner. Hamburger Hummersuppe , on the other hand, is a creamy lobster-based soup, while Hamburg sweets include sugary Franzbrotchen pastry and Hamburger Speck candies.

In addition to being cosmpolitan and chic, Moenckebergstrasse is Hamburg's most iconic shopping street. Stop in at the aptly named Art of Hamburg near the harbour to find forward-thinking fashions and handcrafted bags and other accessories during your Germany cruise. Take a trip back in time at Walter Eisenberg der Mutzenmacher, a classic hat shop, or take home an ornate beer stein.

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Cruises from Hamburg

Port of Hamburg

Ships typically depart from the port of Hamburg at various times throughout the year. The general check-in time for cruises departing from Hamburg may vary depending on the cruise line and itinerary. It is recommended to arrive at the port a few hours before the scheduled departure time to allow ample time for check-in procedures and boarding. In the harbor, you can admire the impressive array of ships and enjoy panoramic views of the Elbe River. The port and its surroundings offer a range of facilities, including parking, transportation links, and nearby amenities such as restaurants, cafes, and shops.

Destinations from Hamburg

Cruises that leave from Hamburg in 2024 can take you to a wide variety of destinations that are located all around Europe and even further beyond. Most commonly, cruises from Hamburg go to exciting destinations such as the British Isles , Greenland , Iceland , Midnight Sun , North Cape , Northern Europe , Norwegian Fjords , Scandinavia , Svalbard , Transatlantic , Western Europe , and countless more Northern European sites.

What cruise lines depart from Hamburg?

The port of Hamburg is served by a variety of different cruise lines in 2024. These range from those oriented toward families to those that are more elegant and traditional. Hamburg port includes itineraries with AIDA Cruises , Costa Cruises , Cunard Cruise Line , MSC Cruises , Oceania Cruises , and other cruise lines.

Cruise Season

The best time to visit Hamburg and embark on a cruise from this bustling port is during the summer months, from June to September. This period offers pleasant weather, longer daylight hours, and a vibrant atmosphere, allowing you to make the most of both your onshore and onboard experiences. The city comes alive during the summer, with numerous festivals, outdoor events, and lively street life. Spring and autumn can also be delightful times to visit, with milder temperatures and fewer crowds. Hamburg's festive season, particularly the month of December, is enchanting, with charming Christmas markets and festive decorations throughout the city.

Due to the region's moderately cold climate and short summers, there is a short window of opportunity for cruises to depart from Hamburg. The months of May to September, which are considered to be the peack seasons, are the best times to go on a cruise. However, if you want to see the Northern Lights, the best months are from December through March because during this time there are more hours of darkness and the night skies are cleaner. Explore cruises from Hamburg that depart in the months of June 2024 , July 2024 , August 2024 , September 2024 , and October 2024 .

Cruise Duration

Cruise Lines offer itineraries from Hamburg that range from 2 to 22 days. You can choose cruises lasting from 2-day , 3-day , 4-day , 5-day , 7-day , 8-day , 9-day , 10-day , 11-day , 12-day , 13-day , 14-day , 19-day , and 22-day , depending on the length of your holiday.

Hamburg boasts modern and well-equipped cruise terminals that cater to the needs of passengers. The port features multiple terminals, each designed to accommodate cruise ships of various sizes. The terminals offer comfortable waiting areas, luggage handling services, and passenger amenities to ensure a smooth embarkation and disembarkation experience. With state-of-the-art facilities, Hamburg's cruise terminals provide a seamless and enjoyable start to your cruise journey.

In most cases, checking in on a cruise out of Hamburg is quick and painless. It is recommended that passengers get to the port well in advance of the ship's departure to ensure a stress-free check-in process. Check-in hours may differ by cruise company and itinerary, so it's best to double-check your paper work before setting sail. Check-in is where you go to get your boarding pass, cabin key, and go through security checks and ask any questions you have. Once you've checked in, it's time to board the ship and start your cruise vacation.

Transportation

Hamburg's port is easily accessible from Hamburg Airport, which is conveniently located in close proximity. Passengers can utilize various transportation options, including taxis, private transfers, or public transportation, to reach the port from the airport. The city of Hamburg also has an efficient and extensive public transportation network, including trains, buses, and trams, making it easy to reach the port from different areas within the city. Additionally, there are parking facilities available at the port for those traveling by car.

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Hamburg, Germany

Hamburg, Germany

Here on the estuary of the River Elbe is Germany's largest seaport. Wander from the Hanse Sternschanze, rich with shops, auction houses and art galleries, to the beer halls of the St. Pauli district.

From A1/A255/A252/B4/B75: Follow signs to Hamburg city, exit Veddeler Brückenstraße/B4, follow B4 - slight left to stay on B4 for 4400m - slight left to Millerntorplatz - continue to Reeperbahn - after 1000m turn left to Peepermölenbek - turn left to St. Pauli Fischmarkt - take the 1st right to Große Elbstraße - after 800m turn left to Van-der-Smissen-Straße

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In 2024, Disney Cruise Line will call at Hamburg

According to a press release, Disney Cruise Line plans to call in Hamburg in 2024.

Managing director of Cruise Gate Hamburg, Simone Maraschi, said Disney Cruise Line’s visit to Hamburg would be one of our biggest highlights in the coming year. Cruise Gate Hamburg will support it as much as possible before the sailing to provide guests with an unforgettable travel experience.

As a cruise destination, Hamburg offers numerous benefits to the cruise industry due to the collaboration, Maraschi explained.

As part of its seven-day voyage to the British Isles, the Disney Dream will stop in Hamburg on September 3, 2024. Carnival Cruise Line’s visit to Hamburg was “a big win for CGH and Hamburg as a tourist destination,” Maraschi said Cruise Gate Hamburg is happy to have secured this visit.

Hamburg is hosting the “Hamburg Cruise Days” this year from September 8-10, highlighting cruise ships during the three-day event. An Elbe ship parade and fireworks will conclude the event on Saturday evening.

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DCL-Disney Cruise Line to sail to Hamburg (Germany) in 2024

DCL-Disney Cruise Line has announced that for the 2024 cruise season, it will include Hamburg (Germany) in its itinerary.

MS Disney Dream ship will arrive at Port Hamburg on September 3rd, 2024, as part of a 7-day voyage to the British Isles. Known for providing excellent family cruising experiences, Disney promises to deliver high-quality onboard entertainment, including Broadway-style shows, character encounters, themed dining, and relaxation options for all members of the family.

Representatives from Cruise Gate Hamburg (CGH), including Simone Maraschi and Iris Scheel, attended the Seatrade Cruise Global event in Florida, the biggest trade fair for the cruise industry. At the event, they met with Disney Cruise Line executives and other cruise companies to discuss possibilities for sailing to the Port of Hamburg. Hamburg was well-represented at the Seatrade Cruise Global event, and attendees included Jens Meier, CEO of Hamburg Port Authority AoR, and Michael Otremba, Managing Director of Hamburg Tourismus GmbH. They jointly promoted Hamburg as a destination and highlighted its strong position as a cruise hub.

For a week in September, Hamburg will host two major global cruise events.

From Sept 6th to 8th takes place, followed by the "Hamburg Cruise Days" (Sept 8th to 10th). The highlight of the 3-day events will be the ship parade on the Elbe River on Saturday evening, accompanied by live music, fireworks, and hundreds of thousands of visitors.

Thinking of booking a cruise? Here are the lines you should — and shouldn't — sail with.

• Before you book a cruise , it's important to understand that not all cruise lines are equal.
• Each cruise line has amenities, entertainment, and experiences tailored to specific cruisers.
• Carnival is good for families, Virgin Voyages for solo adults, and Cunard for mature travelers. 

I am a very, very avid cruiser. Last year alone, I spent 73 days on cruise ships .

I've sailed with most major lines, from kid-focused Disney Cruise Line to the sometimes-naughty Virgin Voyages. When people ask me which cruise ships I recommend , my answer isn't so straightforward.

Each cruise line is unique, offering amenities, entertainment, and experiences tailored to specific cruisers. What you book will depend on your needs, wants, budget, and what you'd rather avoid.

So, I've done some research about popular cruise lines and combined my personal experiences to help you decide which cruise line to book with.

After all, this is kind of the year of the cruise , with travelers predicted to set sail at some of the highest rates in years throughout 2024.

Here's what you need to know about some of the major cruise lines before you book your next trip.

Editor's Note: Price ranges were calculated at the time of publication based on available listings on each cruise site. Cruise pricing is per person, based on double occupancy and the cheapest stateroom/fare available. Prices were calculated before taxes, port charges, and other fees. Itineraries with added tours built-in were not included when calculating this information.

Carnival Cruise Line

Cost: $ | Prices range from $156/pp for a two-day getaway from Sydney to $3,273/pp for a 10-day Alaska cruise

Ideal for: Budget travelers, intergenerational groups, families, and partiers

Skip if: You're looking for a high-class, elegant experience or a quiet, laid-back vibe

Highlight: All Carnival cruises come with itineraries loaded with fun activities. Some ships have especially exciting features like the first roller coaster at sea, SkyRide zip-line-style aerial bikes, and themed parties.

Possible cons: This is not a cruise line for those who like to wear a tux or ball gown or have a quiet cruise experience.

Launched in 1972, Carnival Cruise Line is one of nine cruise lines owned by parent company Carnival Corporation & plc. It's the company's largest cruise line, with 27 ships. Its cruises typically range from two days to 29 days.

Carnival Cruise Line offers year-round cruises in Australia, The Bahamas, the Caribbean, and Mexico and seasonal cruises in Alaska , Bermuda, Canada, Europe, Hawaii, and New England.

Celebrity Cruises

Cost: $$ | Prices range from $233/pp for a three-night Key West & Bahamas cruise to $6,912/pp for a 7-night Galapagos cruise

Ideal for: Couples, families, and solo travelers

Skip if: You're looking for a slower-paced classic cruise

Highlight: All Celebrity Cruises come with amazing outdoor spaces like The Lawn Club with real grass on the top deck of Solstice Series ships and the Rooftop Terrace on Millennium Series ships. You also won't want to miss the Magic Carpet , which allows guests to hang out while suspended above the ocean on some ships.

Possible cons: This is not a cruise line for those who want to attend lectures about their ports of call.

Celebrity Cruises began sailing in 1997. There are 16 ships, which sail on itineraries ranging from three to 19 nights to nearly 300 ports of call in 70 countries.

Cost: $$$ | Prices range from $249/pp for a two-night cruise from Southampton, England to Hamburg, Germany, to $19,158/pp for a 111-night World Voyage

Ideal for: Sophisticated travelers and mature cruisers

Skip if: You're looking for a high-energy cruise, hoping to travel with children , or craving adventurous activities

Highlight: All Cunard cruises come with white-glove service. You won't want to miss Cunard's famous 3:30 p.m. afternoon tea, gala evenings, and fine dining arranged by stateroom grade.

Possible cons: This is a very formal cruise with strict dress codes. You won't find water slides or pool parties here.

Founded in 1840, Cunard offers a classic cruise experience with cruises ranging from two to 116 nights.

Its four ships sail to Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America.

Disney Cruise Line

Cost: $$$ | Prices range from $422.40/pp for a two-night cruise from Sydney to Brisbane, Australia, to $5,592/pp for a 12-night Mediterranean with Greek Isles cruise

Ideal for: Disney adults , families, and intergenerational groups

Skip if: You don't want to vacation around a bunch of children and you crave peace and quiet

Highlight: All Disney Cruise Line cruises come with heaps of Disney magic in the way of special events and details. You won't want to miss character meet and greets, pirate-themed parties with fireworks, and passengers trading pins and leaving treats inside decorative pouches hung on stateroom doors.

Possible cons: There is a significant child population on most of these cruises and not much adults-only entertainment. Dinners in the main dining can get loud, and, just like at the theme parks, there can be many queues for activities and other offerings.

Disney Cruise Line first set sail in the 1990s and has five active ships, with the new Disney Treasure set to debut in December. The line has sailings all around the globe, and most range from two to 15 nights.

Holland America Line

Cost: $$ | Prices range from $94/pp for a one-day Pacific Northwest cruise to a $27,399/pp for a 132-day Grand Voyage

Ideal for: Music lovers and sophisticated world travelers who appreciate European hospitality and smaller ships

Skip if: You're young, traveling with children, or want to party

Highlight: All Holland America Line cruises come with a dose of Dutch hospitality and elegance. During my cruise with the line, I enjoyed the Dutch cuisine and Music Walk , which features live performances at B.B. King's Blues Club, Rolling Stone Rock Room, and Billboard Onboard.

Possible cons: The line takes its formal nights really seriously and attracts an older crowd.

Holland America Line has had ships sailing the globe for over 140 years. Its 11 ships cruise to more than 425 ports of call on seven continents, and cruises range from one to 118 days.

MSC Cruises

Cost: $ | Prices range from $80/pp for a three-night Mediterranean cruise to $46,149/pp for a 116-night World Cruise

Ideal for: Budget travelers, families, intergenerational groups, big groups

Skip if: You're looking for lots of food options or top-tier entertainment

Highlight: All MSC Cruises offer great value — and good pizza

Possible cons: The cruise fare does not include many dining options, and the evening entertainment skews old-school and a bit more basic than some other cruise lines that do Broadway-worthy shows.

MSC Cruises has 22 ships, with one more projected to join its fleet by 2025. The line has sailings all around the globe, and most range from two to 118 nights.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Cost: $$ | Prices range from $79/pp for a one-day Australia cruise to $4,379/pp for a 10-day European cruise

Ideal for: Couples, families, and solo cruisers

Skip if: You're looking for structure, ballroom dancing, and fancy dinners

Highlight: All Norwegian Cruise Line cruises offer freestyle dining. You won't want to miss its Broadway-level shows and generous drink package, which is often offered complimentary.

Possible cons: This is not a cruise line for those who like formal dress codes, and some dislike the à la carte pricing.

Norwegian Cruise Line has been sailing the world for over 57 years. Its 19 ships visit 400-plus ports on seven continents, and cruises typically last one to 25 days.

Princess Cruises

Cost: $$ | Prices range from $127/pp for a two-day Australia Seacation to $24,098/pp for a 98-day World Cruise

Ideal for: Mature solo travelers, couples, and retirees

Skip if: You're looking for lots of activities and party vibes. Princess Cruises tend to attract an older crowd, and the shows and activities reflect this. There aren't many events offered each day. On the three cruises I sailed with Princess, the entertainment was primarily musicals, piano players, and singers backed by an orchestra. There were only a handful of children on each cruise.

Highlight: All Princess Cruises offer Discovery and Animal Planet-exclusive shore excursions — and many have an excellent onboard lecture series.

Possible cons: This is not a cruise line for those who like to party, love water slides, or have teenagers.

Founded in 1965, Princess Cruises has 16 ships that sail to 330 destinations worldwide on itineraries from three to 111 days

Royal Caribbean

Cost: $$ | Prices range from $196/pp for a two-night Hong Kong cruise to $8,266/pp for a 13-night Arctic Circle cruise

Ideal for: Couples, families, and intergenerational travelers

Highlight: All Royal Caribbean cruises come with fun activities and a broad range of entertainment options. Some have the Ultimate Abyss , the tallest slide at sea, or the glass capsule North Star , the tallest viewing deck on a cruise ship. You won't want to miss the Oasis Class ships' seven distinctly themed neighborhoods and Royal Promenade, a mall-like thoroughfare with shops, restaurants, and lounges that runs the length of the ship.

Possible cons: Many of its ships are mega-ships, so this isn't the line for you if you want a more intimate trip.

Founded in 1968, Royal Caribbean sails to about 240 destinations on six continents. Cruises range from two to 22 nights.

Royal Caribbean has many of the world's largest cruise ships in its fleet of more than 20 vessels.

Virgin Voyages

Cost: $$ | Prices range from $415/pp for a four-night roundtrip cruise from England to Amsterdam to a $3,072/pp for a 13-night Canada, Carolina, and Miami cruise

Ideal for: Child-free travelers, health enthusiasts, the glamorous, and those who don't like strict rules

Skip if: You want a classic cruise, need structure, or can't handle playfulness (and, sometimes, naughtiness)

Highlight: All Virgin Voyages are child-free, and everyone gets unlimited WiFi, access to group fitness classes, and gratuities included in their fare. You won't want to miss its famous Scarlet Night, 20 eateries (every venue is considered specialty dining), and eclectic shows like "Untitled DanceShowPartyThing."

Possible cons: There aren't traditional song-and-dance shows, assigned dining times, and nightly portrait photography

Virgin Voyages has been sailing its "Lady Ships" inspired by superyachts since 2021. Three nearly identical ships are currently in service, and a fourth one is set to set sail later this year.

Virgin Voyages sails to about 100 destinations in Australia, Europe, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and the United Kingdom on cruises ranging from three to 16 nights.

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Voyage through the history of the cruise ship vacation

Posted: 6 January 2024 | Last updated: 27 February 2024

A cruise is one of the most popular vacation options in the world. Passengers board what is effectively a huge floating hotel featuring a wealth of fabulous leisure facilities and amenities, and sail to some of the most desirable global destinations. But how did this industry evolve?

Click through and embark on a voyage through the history of the cruise ship holiday.

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Where it all started

It's suggested that Italy was the likely location of the first leisure excursion in a boat, a voyage we would today call a cruise. Departing Naples (pictured) in June 1833 and carrying European nobility, the vessel toured the Mediterranean before arriving in Constantinople.

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P&O founded

P&O—the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company—was founded in 1837. P&O Cruises was founded in 1977 as a subsidiary of the company. P&O first introduced passenger-cruising services in 1844 to distinguish it with the oldest heritage of any cruise line in the world.

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SS Augusta Victoria

On January 2, 1891, the German vessel  SS Augusta Victoria embarked on a voyage to the Mediterranean and the Near East, a cruise that helped promote this burgeoning leisure product to a wider public.

P&O expands

P&O, meanwhile, underwent a period of rapid expansion in the latter half of the 19th century, introducing round trips to more exotic locations, for example Alexandria and Constantinople. This type of product was the forerunner of the modern cruise vacations.

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Prinzessin Victoria Luise

Prinzessin Victoria Luise was the first purpose-built, non-private excursion ship, constructed for the Hamburg-America Line (HAPAG). She departed Hamburg on her maiden voyage on January 5, 1901, bound for the West Indies via New York.

SS La Bretagne

As the idea of cruising caught on, shipping companies began commissioning larger and more luxurious vessels, primarily for the highly competitive transatlantic route. Pictured is the opulent dining hall of the French vessel SS La Gretagne , owned by Compagnie Générale Transatlantique, which was launched on September 9, 1885.

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Discerning clientele

Journeys that were once considered purely functional were being marketed as now being for pleasure. But the prohibitive cost of a voyage meant that a cruise liner vacation remained a privilege of the wealthy.

The early 20th century saw the likes of Cunard, White Star, and HAPAG becoming the big names in cruising.

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RMS Britannia

The Britannia class was the Cunard Line's initial fleet of wooden paddlers that established the first year-round scheduled Atlantic steamship service in 1840. Pictured is RMS Britannia .

RMS Campania

Launched in September 1892, Cunard's RMS Campania was the largest and fastest passenger liner afloat when she entered service in 1893. She won the coveted Blue Riband for a less-than-six-day dash across the Atlantic Ocean.

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RMS Carpathia

Another Cunard transatlantic passenger steamship, RMS Carpathia  found fame for different reasons. This is the vessel that sailed to the assistance of the stricken RMS Titanic in April 1912, with the crew rescuing 705 survivors from the sunken ship's lifeboats.

RMS Titanic

On April 15, 1912, the British passenger liner RMS Titanic struck an iceberg and sank in the North Atlantic Ocean during her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York City. More than 1,500 people died in the tragedy. Operated by White Star, the loss of the Titanic remains the deadliest peacetime sinking of a superliner or cruise ship.

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More ports of call

The loss of the Titanic did little to dent the public's faith in the burgeoning cruise ship industry. Besides faster transatlantic crossings, passenger liner companies were expanding port of call choice. The Norwegian-American-owned Red Star Line, for example, listed its main ports of call as Antwerp in Belgium, Liverpool and Southampton in the United Kingdom, and New York City and Philadelphia in the United States.

Luxurious facilities

With longer routes came more highly-refined passenger facilities. The first à la carte restaurants appeared on passenger vessels around 1910.

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Leisure amenities

Gilt-edged ballrooms catered to those wishing to dance away the night. For the more sporty, the first top deck swimming pools made their debut around the same time.

The Great War

This palatial parlor room was typical of the sumptuous interiors afforded to passengers in the early 20th century. WWI, however, saw many cruise liners requisitioned by naval authorities involved in the conflict.

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First World War

During the First World War, passenger vessels were used as troop carriers or hospital ships, such as RMS Asturias , pictured here in 1914 departing Le Havre in France. Asturias survived being torpedoed and returned to its original function throughout the 1920s. Other vessels weren't so lucky: Norwegian-owned Fred. Olsen Line alone lost 23 ships in the Great War.

RMS Lusitania

The most high-profile sinking of a passenger liner during the First World War was that of the Cunard liner RMS Lusitania . On May 7, 1915, the vessel was hit by a single torpedo, fired from the German submarine U-20 . It took less than 20 minutes for the Atlantic to claim the ship, with just 761 people surviving out of the 1,266 passengers and 696 crew aboard, with 123 of the casualties being American citizens. Lusitania had not been drafted into the war effort and was following its regular route between Liverpool and New York City. The casualties were all civilians. Its loss contributed to the American entry into the conflict two years later.

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Between the wars

Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, cruise line companies continued to prosper, with destinations more global and defined as "pleasure cruises"—a clear indicator that more and more people were recognizing a cruise as an affordable leisure option.

RMS Laconia

In November 1922, the Cunard-operated RMS Laconia began an around-the-world cruise—the first continuous circumnavigation of the world by a passenger liner, a voyage later dubbed the first world cruise. It marked a triumph for the company, and a milestone in the history of the cruise industry. But 20 years later, Laconia would be involved in one of the most controversial events of the Second World War.

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The Laconia incident

Drawn into service as a troopship during the Second World War, RMS Laconia was torpedoed and sunk by U-156 , a German U-boat, off the coast of West Africa on September 12, 1942. The German vessel immediately commenced recovery operations, an intent broadcast over an open radio channel and picked up by other U-boats and Allied aircraft. After picking up survivors, U-156 set sail to rendezvous with Vichy French ships and transfer the rescued mariners. Soon afterwards, however, the U-boat was attacked by a B-24 Liberator bomber, its aircrew aware of the survivors collected on the foredeck but ordered anyway to bomb the submarine. The B-24 killed dozens of Laconia 's survivors, and the event changed the general attitude of Germany's naval personnel towards rescuing stranded Allied seamen.

The Golden Age

The 1950s are generally regarded as the Golden Age of cruising. And the appeal of taking to water on a luxury ocean-going liner was not lost on the celebrities of the day.Pictured is the SS United States , flagship of the United States Lines, entering New York Harbor on June 23, 1952.

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Alfred Hitchcock

Alfred Hitchcock and film star Jane Wyman (one-time wife of future president Ronald Reagan) are photographed aboard the Cunard liner RMS Queen Mary in 1950 as it leaves Southampton for New York. The Queen Mary is today permanently moored in Long Beach, California, as a floating hotel.

Doris Day, pictured in 1955, is all smiles as she arrives in Southampton, England, on board Cunard's RMS Queen Elizabeth .

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Harry Belafonte

Harry Belafonte, his wife Julie, and their young son David pose for the press at Southampton in 1959 after arriving from New York aboard the RMS Queen Mary .

Cruising into the '60s

Despite stiff competition from airlines, the cruise industry continued to flourish throughout the 1960s. Many of the modern cruise lines were founded during this period, including Princess Cruises in 1965, Norwegian Cruise Line in 1966, Royal Caribbean in 1968, and MSC in 1970. Pictured is the SS Oriana , operated by the Orient Steam Navigation Company, departing Circular Quay in Sydney Harbor on January 6, 1961 to commence a 10-day Pacific cruise.

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Full ahead through the '70s, '80s, and '90s

By the 1970s and 1980s, cruise ship vacations were no longer the sole preserve of the wealthy. And in the wake of this boom in holidays on the high seas came more cruise ships lines: Carnival in 1972; Celebrity Cruises in 1989; and Silversea in 1994. 

Cunard Queens

In 2015, Cunard's three Queens met on the River Mersey in Liverpool to celebrate the company's 175th anniversary—MS Queen Mary 2 , MS Queen Victoria , and MS Queen Elizabeth.

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Wonder of the Seas

Currently, the largest cruise ship in the world is Wonder of the Seas (pictured in May 2022 leaving Marseilles). This vast floating hotel can accommodate 6,988 passengers. Operated by Royal Caribbean International, the vessel is longer than the largest military ships ever built, the US Nimitz -class aircraft carriers.

Sources: (Cruise Market Watch) (Cruise Dialysis) (Smithsonian Magazine) (History) (The Maritime Executive) (Forbes)

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The Alternative to Huge Cruises? 3 Masts, 28 Sails and Wind Power.

We checked out the 136-passenger Sea Cloud Spirit on a Mediterranean cruise. In this era of gargantuan ships, its elegant clipper design, wooden decks and relatively small size stands out.

By Ceylan Yeğinsu

From the bridge of the three-masted windjammer, the Sea Cloud Spirit , the captain called out the words we’d all been waiting for.

“Let’s set the sails!” he cried, after turning off the engines, while maneuvering to maintain an optimum angle for his 18 deckhands to climb into the shrouds and unfurl the ship’s 44,132 square feet of sails by hand.

Like acrobats, the crew scurried up the masts to the upper topgallant sails that rose nearly 200 feet above us. The ship’s captain, Vukota Stojanovic, later insisted that none of it was for show. “Whenever there is an opportunity to sail, we sail,” he said.

For the next hour, the crew hauled the ropes until the 28 sails were billowing in the wind, propelling the 452-foot-long ship — the world’s largest passenger sailing vessel on which the sails are raised by hand — toward its first port of call, Portofino, Italy.

At a time when cruise lines are packing their ever-more-gargantuan ships with water parks and basketball courts, the 136-passenger Sea Cloud Spirit, with its old-fashioned clipper design and wooden decks, stands out. It is the newest ship from the Hamburg-based Sea Cloud Cruises , and while it is the company’s biggest, Sea Cloud said it wanted to leave space for passengers to connect to the surrounding elements.

“Wherever you are on the ship, it feels like you are sitting on the water,” said Amelia Dominick, 71, a retired real estate agent from Cologne, Germany, who was on her third cruise onboard the Sea Cloud Spirit.

I had arrived for a four-night “taster sailing” from Nice, France, to the Ligurian region of Italy, designed to entice passengers to sign up for a longer cruise. Here’s what I found.

The ship and cabins

The Spirit has many comforts and luxuries, including a fitness center, library, hair salon and a spa with a Finnish sauna that overlooks the sea. The deck layouts are spacious, with nooks carved out for privacy and relaxation.

Sixty-nine spacious cabins have windows that open onto the sea. My room, a junior suite on the third deck, had two large arched windows, mahogany tables, a balcony and a comfortable couch and armchair. The marble bathroom was lavish, with a gold-plated sink and large jetted bathtub.

The elegant interior design is inspired by the original Sea Cloud, built in 1931 for Marjorie Merriweather Post, the American heiress of the General Foods Corporation, with glossy wooden panels and gold trimmings. The Sea Cloud was the largest private sailing yacht in the world before Post handed it over to the U.S. Navy for use as a weather-reporting vessel during World War II. The four-mast, 64-passenger ship has since been restored to its former glory and will sail across the Aegean and Adriatic this summer.

The experience felt authentic — even before the sails were set — with a detailed safety drill. On most cruises, the drill entails a safety video and signing in at an assembly point. But here, passengers put on their life jackets and walked through emergency scenarios that included rationing food supplies and fishing from the lifeboat.

Each day, the sails were set, even during heavy rain and wind speeds over 30 knots. Guests wanting to participate in the rigging are usually invited to do so, but the weather conditions made it too risky for this sailing.

“It was amazing to watch the work go into putting the sails up and down and to experience the wind power pulling the ship so fast without the engines,” said Malte Rahnenfuehrer, a 50-year-old psychologist from Zurich, who was traveling with his partner and two children.

The captain

It is rare for cruise passengers to see the ship’s captain after the initial welcome drinks or gala dinner. But Capt. Vukota Stojanovic was omnipresent throughout the cruise, from setting sails to lifeguarding to mingling with guests.

Originally from Montenegro, Captain Stojanovic piloted container ships for years. When he was asked to consider helming the original Sea Cloud nearly 10 years ago, he hesitated because he had no experience sailing. Even after he learned the ropes — and there are 340 ropes (known as running rigging) on the vessel — he was unsure. “I grew to love the sailings, the boats, the crew the lifestyle, but I still felt I belonged on container ships,” he said. “It would be a big adjustment, especially because I would have to shave every day,” he joked.

Eventually, he accepted the opportunity and worked tirelessly to learn how to sail and operate the ship. Today, he keeps an “open bridge” policy, allowing passengers to visit the control room, even when he is wrestling with the wind.

“The crew and the passengers are all part of the experience, and I like to meet people and receive their feedback,” Captain Stojanovic said.

Environment

Sea Cloud Cruises aspires to take a “gentle” approach, using wind power to drive its ships wherever possible, even if that means changing course for optimal weather conditions. When sailing is not possible, the Spirit has two diesel-electric engines that run on low-sulfur marine diesel fuel. The company is also working with ports that have shore power capabilities to plug into the local electric power.

Onboard, there is an emphasis on reusable bottles and paper straws, and crew members separate solid waste to be compacted and removed when in port.

Excursions and Activities

We made stops in Portofino, San Remo, Italy, and St.-Tropez, France, anchoring offshore and getting to land by tender — a contrast to the big cruise ships with their loud horns and thick plumes of exhaust spewing from their funnels.

For passengers wanting to take a dip (there is no pool), the crew marked an area in the water with floats and an inflatable slide. The water was frigid, but many passengers took the plunge from the swimming deck. Guests could also take “Zodiac Safaris” around the ship to get views of the vessel from the water.

Excursions ranged from food and wine tours to e-biking and beach trips. In Portofino, passengers were free to explore the sights independently, including the Castello Brown Fortress and the lighthouse on Punta del Capo rock. There was ample time to eat meals on shore as the ship did not depart until 11 p.m. Over the summer, the Sea Cloud Spirit will sail to Spain, Portugal, France and the Azores, among other destinations. On Nov. 11, she will depart for St. Maarten in the Caribbean for the winter.

Wherever the vessel goes, said Mirell Reyes, president of Sea Cloud Cruise for North America, the company tries to “stay away from the crowds and ports where big cruise ships spit out 6,000 passengers.”

Summer prices, which include food and beverages, range from $3,995 for a four-night sailing in a superior cabin to $9,420 for a veranda suite. Seven-night sailings cost between $6,995 and $16,495.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Ceylan Yeginsu is a travel reporter for The Times who frequently writes about the cruise industry and Europe, where she is based. More about Ceylan Yeğinsu

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MSC first to receive shore power supply in Hamburg

The Port of Hamburg has announced that the Mediterranean Shipping Company’s (MSC) ships will be supplied with shore power in the future.

The shipping company has signed a corresponding agreement with the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) regarding the supply of MSC cargo ships at the Hamburg Container Terminal (CTH).

This makes MSC the first shipping company to use shore power for both cruise ships and container ships . Other shipping companies are expected to follow suit shortly, and additional container terminals in the Port of Hamburg are currently being equipped with shore power systems.

The plant at the CTH, which was completed this year, has three connection points, each with an output of 7.5 megavolt amperes. The electricity used comes 100 per cent from renewable sources.

The plant was financed in roughly equal parts by the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg with support from the federal government. The total cost of the plant is around €14 million ($15 million).

In the cruise segment, HPA already has agreements on the use of shore power with the Carnival Group and the shipping companies TUI Cruises, Fred Olsen, Princess Cruises, Phoenix Reisen and Norwegian Cruise Line.

A new shore power system for cruise ships went into operation at the Cruise Center Steinwerder in April 2024. The new cruise terminal in HafenCity is currently under construction and is to be equipped with a shore power system from the outset; the terminal is expected to be completed in 2025.

Hamburg’s Senator for Economic Affairs Dr. Melanie Leonhard said: “The expansion of shore power supply is an important project in the port for fewer emissions and more climate protection.

“We are now jointly advancing this technology: Hamburg is setting up the technology on land. But it also needs ships that use electricity from renewable energies and shipping companies that create the appropriate conditions. We are in good discussions with the customers of the Port of Hamburg on this.

READ: Port of Hamburg moves 2 million TEU in Q1

Nils Kahn, Managing Director of MSC Germany further stated: “Hamburg and its port are important to us. That is why we are happy to take advantage of the Hamburg Port Authority’s offer to use shore power for our ships during layovers.

“As MSC, we are pleased to contribute to improving air quality in the Hanseatic city. As an international transport company, we see it as our responsibility to reduce CO2 emissions through innovative measures. This is another step on our way to net zero and a more sustainable future.”

Earlier this year, Ben Buchele Elektromotorenwerke GmbH delivered two electric motors to Reintjes for installation on a hybrid dredger at the Port of Hamburg .

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