22.04.2024
A record 1,204,089 passengers started their cruise trip in Hamburg last year (2022: 785,000 passengers), thus securing the Hanseatic city’s top spot among German cruise ports. All in all, 51 different cruise ships called 278 times at the Port of Hamburg, of which eight were maiden calls. A further 62 calls were made by river cruise ships. The record result shows just how much cruise guests appreciate Hamburg’s wide variety of attractions and offerings.
Dr Melanie Leonhard, Hamburg Minister [Senatorin] for Economy and Innovation, "The arrival and departure of a cruise ship in the Port of Hamburg is always an impressive moment. Last year, more than 1.2 million passengers experienced this. The cruise industry thus makes a significant contribution to value creation and employment in and around our port. I am therefore pleased that from 2025, we will have one of the most modern cruise terminals in the HafenCity, right in the heart of our city. As one of the most popular cruise destinations in Europe and a pioneer in sustainability issues, we also aim to further advance the topic of shore power. Therefore, we are currently massively expanding our shore-side power supply and will in future provide onshore energy supply at all cruise terminals."
Simone Maraschi, Managing Director of Cruise Gate Hamburg GmbH, “The record number of cruise passengers who start their journey from German ports is testament to the growing interest in sea trips of German holidaymakers. We are delighted to see the industry back on course after the coronavirus pandemic. The stronger market benefits the entire north German region. As cruise trips continue to gain in popularity, Germany remains a key player in the worldwide cruise industry that offers a wide range of fascinating routes and unforgettable experiences to travellers of all ages.”
In September 2023 Hamburg received the ‘Destination of the Year’ award at the renowned Seatrade Cruise Awards to honour Hamburg’s rise to the most popular year-round cruise destination that offers trips to anywhere in the world. However, not only does the cruise sector play an important role in tourism in Hamburg, it is also a key pillar of the Hanseatic city’s economy. The fact that it creates gross value added of 420 million euros annually as well as 4,490 full-time jobs makes it a crucial economic factor in Hamburg.
For 2024 the outlook is positive, too. At 270 planned calls in the period from the beginning of January to the end of December and 60 calls by river cruise ships the Port of Hamburg continues to be a major German cruise port and popular starting point for year-round departures. Guests increasingly like cruise trips during the winter months, in particular international passengers who are very fond of Hamburg’s Christmas markets. Guests also more and more like to take longer as well as around-the-world trips. Cruise enthusiasts can look forward to ten maiden calls at Hamburg. Among others, Cunard will present its newest fleet member in Hamburg, the Queen Anne; Costa Crociere will return to Hamburg with its Costa Favolosa and Disney Cruise Line will make its first call ever at the Hanseatic city, sending its Disney Dream (other maiden calls: Ocean Albatros, Seabourn Quest, Villa Vie Odyssey, Sirena, Azamara Onward, Mein Schiff 7, Sky Princess). Hamburg will celebrate the Harbour’s Birthday from May 9th through 12th, 2024.
The expansion works at the cruise terminal in HafenCity are progressing. From 2025 Cruise Gate Hamburg will have additional berths available at the new cruise centre which is conveniently located close to the city centre. Tourists have easy access to public transportation and the southern Überseequartier with its many high-quality and diverse offerings. The terminal will sport two berths for cruise ships, including facilities to supply shore-based electricity to ships throughout their docking time.
The cruise schedule 2024 is available at: www.cruisegate-hamburg.de/en/expected-vessels/
Photo (from left to right): Jens Meier (Chairman of the Management Board of the Hamburg Port Authority), Iris Scheel (Managing Director Cruise Gate Hamburg), Dr Melanie Leonhard (Hamburg Minister [Senatorin] for Economy and Innovation), Simone Maraschi (Managing Director Cruise Gate Hamburg) --- © HPA / Andreas Schmidt-Wiethoff
About Cruise Gate Hamburg GmbH
Cruise Gate Hamburg GmbH is a subsidiary wholly owned by Hamburg Port Authority AöR. As the operator of Hamburg’s cruise centres Altona, Steinwerder, Baakenhöft and HafenCity (from 2025), CGH is the single point of contact for all cruise liner companies. CGH strives to provide transparent “one-stop services to the cruise shipping industry” at all of Hamburg’s cruise terminals.
