Cruises to and from Hamburg, Germany
Hamburg is Germany’s northern star, a vibrant, well-heeled metropolis celebrated for its maritime heritage. But beyond its bustling port lies a potpourri of experiences for every traveller on a Hamburg cruise. Let the city enchant you with its characterful neighbourhoods, world-class museums, and exciting nightlife and culinary scenes.
Enjoy sweeping views from the bell tower of Baroque St Michael’s Church, Hamburg’s largest and most beloved landmark. Looking east, the striking silhouette of the Elbphilharmonie concert hall comes into view. It links the ultramodern HafenCity, one of Europe’s boldest recent urban renewal projects, with historic Speicherstadt, one of the world’s largest warehouse districts and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
If you need a leafy sightseeing respite, wander to Planten un Blomen, a floral sanctuary with dancing fountains. When night falls, St Pauli takes the stage. Home to the Reeperbahn nightlife strip, it’s a key stop on a cruise to Hamburg, even during the day. Moreover, a Hamburg cruise puts you within easy reach of other charming cities such as Lübeck and Bremen.
BEST HAMBURG CRUISES
Planning a Hamburg cruise? Let MSC Cruises help you pick your dream itinerary for your next floating adventure. Climb aboard and visit Hamburg as part of unforgettable voyages to the jewels of the British Isles, Scandinavia and the North Atlantic or on epic sails to the North Cape or the Canary Islands.
Cruises from Hamburg in 2024
Hamburg is an ideal launchpad for the best destinations in Scandinavia, the UK and the North Atlantic. Whether for a quick jaunt or grand adventure, our portfolio of cruises from Hamburg 2024-2025 is packed with trips to match all dreams.
Cruises from Hamburg set sail for such chic northern European capitals as Oslo and Copenhagen, as well as popular ports like Rotterdam (Amsterdam), Zeebrugge (Bruges), Le Havre (Paris) and Southampton (London). An especially enchanting cruise from Hamburg travels to the Norwegian fjords, and, who knows, you might even spot the magical northern lights.
Among the longer trips departing from the Hamburg cruise terminal are itineraries to Bilbao.
With so many tantalising options, Hamburg is the perfect city to kick off your next cruise.
Cruises to Hamburg in 2024
A Hamburg cruise is your ticket to exploring the city’s deep-rooted seafaring legacy. Indulge in a tasty fish sandwich while strolling past historic museum ships along the St Pauli Piers and hop aboard a barge bound for the UNESCO-recognised Speicherstadt warehouse district. One of these red-brick beauties houses Miniatur Wunderland, the world’s longest miniature railway and one of Germany’s premier attractions.
A highlight of any cruise to Hamburg is a visit to the architecturally striking Elbphilharmonie concert hall, perched atop yet another warehouse. For an extra dose of culture, make a beeline to the Museum Mile where the venerable showcases eight centuries of European painting.
A cruise to Hamburg also offers the opportunity to explore other Hanseatic cities like Lüneburg or Bremen. Fancy discovering more of northern Europe? Extend your journey by setting sail for cosmopolitan cities like Oslo or Copenhagen or venture north to explore the Norwegian fjords.
Hamburg excursions: plunge into Hanseatic delights
Explore top attractions with MSC Cruises’ Hamburg shore excursions and become an instant city insider.
On our Hamburg tours, you’ll visit landmarks like the Elbphilharmonie concert hall, the Speicherstadt warehouse district and Hamburg’s historic centre with the Baroque St Michael’s Church. Rekindle your sense of wonder at the world’s largest model railway, immerse yourself in art-world treasures and take a boat trip to see the city at its most charismatic. Or savour exquisite marzipan on a trip to lovely Lübeck. All Hamburg excursions are led by local experts who are enthusiastic about sharing their insights.
Book now and save up to 20%.
How to reach Hamburg cruise terminal
Where do MSC Cruises’ ships dock in Hamburg?
MSC Cruises’ ships dock at the Hamburg Cruise Center Steinwerder. The cruise terminal can be found at Buchheisterstraße 16, 20457 Hamburg, Germany, in the Port of Hamburg, and is located around three kilometres south-west of the city centre.
How do I reach the car park at Hamburg cruise port?
The car park at the Hamburg cruise port is located next to the cruise terminal itself, at Hamburg Cruise Center Steinwerder. The cruise port is clearly signposted from the city centre, as well as on various autobahns when approaching the city. Follow the signs for Hafen (the German word for ‘port’ or ‘harbour’) and once in the port area, follow signs to Cruise Center Steinwerder.
If driving from the centre of Hamburg, take the B4 road eastbound out of the city centre. Follow the signs to Hafen and you will turn right onto the B75 southbound. After crossing the New Elbe Bridge, take the first exit on the right, following the signs to Veddel Peute. Continue until you see signs for Cruise Center Steinwerder and follow these to the cruise port.
CAR PARKING: PARKEN & MEER
Address: Buchheisterstraße 12, 20457 Hamburg
Tel. +49 40 537 985 639
Email: buchung@parken-und-meer.de
MSC Parking is bookable online up to 48 hours before your cruise departure. Bookings after the 48 hour deadline can be made directly with MSC Parking, and the same reduced rates will be applied when presenting your cruise travel documents
| VEHICLE | DAYS | RATES |
|---|---|---|
| Car | 8 / 9 |
€ 129 |
| Car | 11 / 12 | € 149 |
| Car | 13 / 14 / 15 | € 169 |
| Car | 22 | € 195 |
Please note, our Guests are requested to enter their mobile phone number in the customer login on www.parken-und-meer.de/en/privatkunde/login 24 hours before arrival. PARKEN & MEER will send detailed information on how to reach the parking.
How do I get to Hamburg cruise port from the train station?
The main rail station in Hamburg is Hamburg Central Station in the city centre, located around four kilometres north of the cruise terminal. The easiest way to reach the cruise port from the train station is to request an MSC Cruises transfer service via the MSC Cruises call centre.
Alternatively, there is an MSC Cruises shuttle service, which takes up to 30 minutes and costs €10 per person. These shuttle buses leave from ZOB/Hamburg Central Bus Station, which you can find by taking the Kirchenallee exit from the train station, turning right and crossing over the street onto Adenauerallee.
It's also possible to take public transport from the train station to the cruise port, although this can take up to one hour. If using public transport, take the U-Bahn (line U3) from Hauptbahnhof Süd to Landungsbrücken, then walk over to the Landungsbrücken ferry port. Take the 73 ferry to Argentinienbrücke, which is approximately a 15-minute walk from the cruise terminal.
How do I get from the Hamburg cruise terminal to the city centre?
The Hamburg cruise terminal is located around three kilometres south-west of the city centre and it can take over an hour to walk from the cruise port to the city. The easiest way to get to the city centre from the cruise terminal is to take a taxi, which you can hail from the cruise terminal itself or order via an app.
Alternatively, you can take public transport. Leave the cruise terminal onto Buchheisterstraße, then turn right onto Reiherdamm. Walk down to the Argentinienbrücke ferry pier and take the 73 ferry to Landungsbrücken. From there, you can either walk into the centre or take the U-Bahn (metro) to various central locations, such as Jungfernstieg, Hauptbahnhof Nord or Hauptbahnhof Süd.
How do I get from Hamburg Airport to the cruise port?
Hamburg Airport is located around 19 kilometres north of the cruise port. The easiest way to get from the airport to the cruise terminal is to request an MSC Cruises transfer service via the MSC Cruises call centre. You can also get a taxi, which takes between 30 minutes and one hour, depending on traffic, and should cost between €35-€50.
You can also take public transport from Hamburg Airport to the cruise port. To do so, take the S-Bahn (line S11) from the airport (Flughafen) towards Wedel and get off at Barmbek. Switch to the U-Bahn (line U3) towards Schlump – Hauptbahnhof Süd and get off at Landungsbrücken. Leave the station, go to the ferry pier and take the 73 ferry to Argentinienbrücke. From there, it is around a 15-minute walk to the cruise terminal at Cruise Center Steinwerder.
ParkinGO
Driving to the airport of departure?
With ParkinGO, MSC customers get 5% discount on parking near the main airports in Europe, listed in the following table.
Book now to get the best deal!
| City | Country |
Discount |
| Fiumicino | Italy | -5% |
| Malpensa | Italy | -5% |
| Barcelona | Spain | -5% |
| Munich | Germany | -5% |
| Frankfurt | Germany | -5% |
| Dusseldorf | Germany | -5% |
| Hamburg | Germany |
-5% |
| Paris Charles de Gaulle |
France | -5% |
| Cologne | Germany | -5% |
What is Hamburg famous for?
Hamburg is a major port city in northern Germany and the second biggest city in the country. The city built its wealth as a historic Hanseatic port and is today famous for its rich maritime heritage and its countless canals and bridges, which visitors can enjoy from a boat cruise or guided tour. Its old warehouse district, the Speicherstadt, is the best place to see the canals and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The city is also known for its mix of Baroque, Renaissance and modern architecture, its huge, modern port (where the cruise terminal is located), its ‘beach’ bars along the banks of the Norderelbe and the St. Pauli nightlife district.
Is Hamburg expensive?
As Hamburg is a major city in Germany, it may be considered fairly expensive to visit by general standards. However, it is entirely possible to enjoy the city on a small budget and there are many great free things to do in Hamburg.
One of the best free activities is simply to walk around the city’s different districts and admire its streets and architecture. Hamburg is also home to many parks and gardens, such as the Planten un Blomen botanical park, as well as the pristine Alster Lakes close to the centre. There are also a handful of museums and galleries in Hamburg that are completely free to enter, such as the Zoological Museum.
