A superlative maritime event: The Hamburg Cruise Days 2017
Welcome to the biggest and most beautiful cruise festival in the world: the sixth Hamburg Cruise Days, which take place from 8 – 10 September 2017, will again be attracting hundreds of thousands of people from all around the world to the port of Hamburg. A grand total of 11 cruise ships will be calling in on Hamburg during the event – a new record. And the fantastic entertainment won’t just be taking place on water: visitors on land are also invited to immerse themselves in the vibrant programme.
Hamburg’s track record as a cruise location is pretty impressive: with 171 ships calling in on the port and more than 710,000 passengers in 2016, Hamburg has broken all its previous cruise records. During the 2017 season, Cruise Gate Hamburg is expecting around 200 ships with approximately 800,000 passengers to call in on the city. The growing popularity of cruises is also due to the appeal of crowd-pleasing events like the Hamburg Cruise Days. Taking place this year from 8 through 10 September, this superlative maritime event will again be attracting hundreds of thousands of cruise fans to the waterfront in Hamburg, and is one of the key events in the city’s calendar. The experience of seeing ships sail majestically past the backdrop of the port at the heart of the city is an incredible boost for the city’s image, and the organisers are fully committed to making the most of it. “With the Hamburg Cruise Days, we bring ships and people together in an emotionally deeply engaging event. Add the Elbphilharmonie, the new cultural centre in the port, to the equation, and pictures of the blue illuminated port will go around the world, highlighting the city’s inspiring contrasts”, says Michael Otremba, Managing Director of Hamburg Marketing GmbH.
The ships
They are the stars of the Hamburg Cruise Days: nine magnificent cruise liners and two river cruise ships will be vising the port during the Hamburg Cruise Days.
The ships attending this year’s event are AIDAprima (AIDA Cruises), Silver Wind (Silversea Cruises), Norwegian Jade (Norwegian Cruise Line), EUROPA and EUROPA 2 (both Hapag-Lloyd Cruises), MSC Preziosa (MSC Cruises), Mein Schiff 3 (TUI Cruises), Albatros and Amadea (both Phoenix Reisen), Sans Souci (Plantours Cruises) and Katharina von Bora (nicko cruises river vacations).
The highlights on the water
The record-breaking number of ships will also give the event the biggest Grand Parade since it started; on Saturday evening on the Hamburg Cruise Days weekend, six cruise ships – headed by the AIDAprima and accompanied by 24 escort ships – will all sail down the Elbe together against the backdrop of a magnificent firework display. “It will be a parade that redefines the word superlative”, say organisers Uwe Bergmann and Katja Derow. “The total length of the ships on the Elbe will be 1,575 metres, with 502,946 gross registered tons and 17,140 people, all of whom will be admiring the city from the water. This makes the parade an unforgettable catwalk.”
Other highlights on the water will include a firework display on Friday and the Hamburg Cruise Night, where numerous passenger ships will be offering themed cruises along the river throughout the evening.
The world of cruises on dry land
On land, visitors can again look forward to a supremely enjoyable entertainment programme. In 2017, the event will feature fifteen themed islands along the waterfront, offering visitors a hugely engaging, high-quality programme on land. For instance, cruise lines will be offering special promotions: AIDA Cruises, premium partner of the Hamburg Cruise Days, will be hosting the AIDA Holiday World which boasts the best view of the Elbe River and includes the AIDA Beach Lounge where visitors are invited to relax and unwind. At Dinner in the Sky by Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, guests can enjoy an exquisite menu and a breath-taking view across the port from up high. At the Mediterranean MSC Cruises Terraces a captive balloon provides a unique view across the port of Hamburg. Costa Cruises invites visitors to discover the inimitable Italian approach to cruising. TUI Cruises will be offering a virtual cruise ship tour at the Mein Schiff World, while cruise company Norwegian Cruise Line will be showing just what makes a cruise holiday so special on their Promenade Deck opposite the port.
Other Themed Islands will be Art & Culture, open air Health & Fitness and a richly diverse entertainment programme on numerous stages with music, shows, poetry slams, presentations and book readings. A nostalgic a maritime market and a great choice of stalls selling arts and crafts are perfect for a spot of shopping, and for those who can’t wait to make their holiday dreams come true, the Market of Dreams will be providing information about holidays and the world’s most attractive destinations. At the Rioja Gourmet Terrace guests are invited to enjoy fine wines, tapas and a Spanish fiesta; choice food and drinks will also be served at many other Themed Islands. A brand new highlight is the Themed Island Elbphilharmonie Cruise Classics, where visitors can enjoy concerts broadcast from Hamburg’s newest landmark, the Elbphilharmonie concert hall, to an open-air screen with a stunning view of the Elbe.
A unique backdrop: Blue Port Hamburg
Since 2008, the lighting art project Blue Port Hamburg by artist Michael Batz has been an international sensation. In 2017, the artwork returns, lighting up the port and Hamburg’s most beautiful attractions at night with a magical blue light. On the weekend of the Hamburg Cruise Days, the Blue Port will be creating a unique and unforgettable atmosphere and backdrop. More than 100 objects in and around the port, between the Elbbrücken bridges and Övelgönne, will be illuminated, including buildings, towers, terminals, commercial vehicles, quays, cranes, jetties, pontoons and ships, in a dynamic, breathtaking work of art, a sensual experience which can only be seen in Hamburg. Blue Port Hamburg starts on 1 September with an official “Light Up” ceremony.
The event organisers are confident: “With the highlights on the water, Blue Port Hamburg and the great choice of activities along the waterfront, the 2017 Hamburg Cruise Days are going to be an unforgettable event for the people of Hamburg and visitors to the city, with an appeal that will reach far beyond Hamburg and Germany.”
For more details about the programme, the Themed Islands and the ships taking part, visit the event website: www.hamburgcruisedays.com.