© Ralph Larmann
© Ralph Larmann
© Thomas Panzau
© Thomas Panzau
© Thomas Panzau

Hamburg Cruise Days

Countdown starts for Europe's major cruise event: September 12. to 14, 2025

From 12 to 14 September 2025, Hamburg will once again be the stage for the world of cruising - with the Hamburg Cruise Days. The world's most beautiful cruise festival returns: with impressive ships, the atmospheric Blue Port Hamburg, and with spectacular event highlights such as the parade on Saturday evening. Hamburg Tourismus has the right package deal for the maritime experience.

Nine cruise ships, the Hamburg Cruise Days Parade on the Saturday of the event, the Blue Port Hamburg and a varied programme ashore from culture to culinary: Cruise fans have been waiting a long time for this festival. From Friday, the 12th to Sunday, the 14th of September 2025, the popular maritime event invites guests from all over the world to the Port of Hamburg for the ninth time.

During the three-day event, you can admire nine remarkably diverse ships, ranging from majestic ocean liners to elegant expedition vessels and enchanting river cruise ships. The lineup includes AIDAprima, AIDAperla, and AIDAsol from AIDA Cruises; Artania from Phoenix Reisen; Mein Schiff 6 from TUI Cruises; MS Thurgau Chopin from Thurgau Travel; MS Sans Souci from PLANTOURS Kreuzfahrten; as well as VASCO DA GAMA and WORLD VOYAGER from nicko cruises, all making port calls at Hamburg over the course of these three days.

Michael Otremba, Managing Director of the Hamburg Tourist Board: "The Hamburg Cruise Days and the Blue Port Hamburg will create a unique atmosphere in the port. Guests and Hamburgers will be able to experience the special fascination of sea travel and cruising as it is only possible in Hamburg."  

Highlights on land and water

Nine ships have registered for the weekend - imposing ocean cruisers, stylish luxury liners, elegant expedition ships and river cruisers: AIDAprima, AIDAperla and AIDAsol (AIDA Cruises), Artania (Phoenix Reisen), Mein Schiff 6 (TUI Cruises), MS Frederic Chopin (tbd, nicko cruises), MS Sans Souci, VASCO DA GAMA and WORLD VOYAGER (nicko cruises) will be in Hamburg for the weekend.

The event area will stretch from the Landungsbrücken over the Jan-Fedder-Promenade to the Elbphilharmonie. Here the  visitors can expect a colourful programme with exciting presentations of the individual shipping companies. Other land presentations invite you to stroll and linger - from the show stage to cabaret, music, dance and culinary offerings and a children's adventure world.  

And of course the Blue Port Hamburg: light artist Michael Batz will illuminate the port the harbour in magical blue light for the Hamburg Cruise Days. light - an unforgettable experience for all visitors.

The highlight of the event will be the Great Hamburg Cruise Days Parade on Saturday evening. Five cruise ships will parade along the Elbe in the evening; it is planned that premium partner AIDA Cruises will lead the parade with AIDAprima. The following ships will each be accompanied by fireworks. Five cruise ships will parade along the Elbe in the evening. The parade is traditionally accompanied with music and moderation by actor Marek Erhardt and ends with a closing firework display. More highlights: Harbour tours of the river cruise ships and the simultaneous departure of AIDAperla and AIDAsol with music and moderation on Sunday.

Further information on the Hamburg Cruise Days can be found here.

More information on the programme can be found on the organisers' page (opens in new tab).

Combining Hamburg Cruise Days with a short vacation

For all non-Hamburg people, the event can be perfectly combined with a short trip or day trip to our beautiful Hanseatic city. So why not enjoy this very special atmosphere in the city and plan your next big trip on board at the same time? For more information on the upcoming event, visit www.hamburgcruisedays.de/en.

Read all about Hamburg as a cruise location here: www.hamburg-travel.com/see-explore/maritime-hamburg/shipping-cruises

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