One Blue Port, seven cruise ships, a spectacular parade and an amazing land program marked the highlights of this year’s Hamburg Cruise Days, which came to a close on Sept. 13. Organizers said they expected 570,000 visitors over the course of the weekend.
On Friday, the Costa neoRomantica and the Amadea – the new “dream ship” from the German television series – both visited the port of Hamburg; on Saturday, Mein Schiff 4, the Europa and AIDAbella docked in the port.
Saturday night was the highlight, with visitors gathered on the banks of the Elbe for a vessel parade. Escorted by countless barges, sailing vessels and passenger ships, the AIDAbella, Mein Schiff 4 and Europa made their way down the River Elbe – against the beautiful backdrop of the port, which was bathed in blue light.
Each of the ships was welcomed with its own fireworks display and was waved off on its journey with a personalised laser message.
“This evening once again showed why Hamburg sits at the very top of the shipping companies’ ranking of European destinations,” added Thorsten Kausch, managing director of the Hamburg Convention Bureau, which issues the licence for the Hamburg Cruise Days. “The people of Hamburg have an unrivalled passion and enthusiasm for cruises, and the city will once again be broadcasting amazing images from the event all over the world.”
On Sunday, two iconic ships will be the stars in the port of Hamburg: Queen Mary 2 and MSC Splendida. Both liners will be leaving the port together in the evening.
