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Cruise Center Steinwerder

Cruise center altona.

• Cruise Center HafenCity (under construction)

Cruise Center Baakenhöft

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Cruise Gate Hamburg

The Company Cruise Gate Hamburg is the central point of contact for all cruise shipping companies. This extends to include both the operation and berth allocation at all cruise terminals in Hamburg as well as business development and international marketing and promotion of the destination Hamburg.

Smaller vessels with overnight stays berth right in the city at Cruise Center Baakenhöft. Megaliners have access to a new, ultramodern infrastructure with the Cruise Center Steinwerder. Cruise Center Altona offers a place to disembark in the western part of the city.

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CGH manages and assigns the berths at the three terminals in Steinwerder, Hafencity and Altona. 

With its urban port, Hamburg can offer multiple berths for river cruise ships located right in the city center.

Hamburg is part of the new SuperYacht Northern Europe Route and is considered Germany's most exciting city port. With various berths right in Hamburg's city centre, it is the perfect port of call for superyachts.

The Cruise Center Steinwerder is Hamburg’s most modern cruise terminal and operations have started in June 2015. The two separate terminal buildings have capacities to handle more than 8,000 passengers per ship visit.

The Cruise Center Altona started operations in 2011. The terminal can accommodate cruise ships up to a length of 300m and a draught of up to 10.5m.

Shuttle Parking & Valet Parking

Cruise Center HafenCity (from 2025)

The Cruise Center HafenCity is set to open in 2025 and will be equipped to deliver shore power to visiting vessels.

In order to make the best use of this valuable location, a new cruise terminal will be installed here by 2022 replacing the old one. During the construction work, cruise ships can use the temporary Cruise Center Baakenhöft as an alternative.

MS Mona Lisa

Cruise Europe Announces Simone Maraschi as New Chair

Cruise Europe, the leading association representing ports across Europe, is thrilled to announce the election of Simone Maraschi as its new Chairperson. With a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to the cruise industry, Simone Maraschi brings a fresh perspective and innovative vision to Cruise Europe. His election marks an exciting new chapter for the association as it continues to navigate the evolving landscape of the cruise industry.

5-7 May 2023: Hamburg celebrates 834th Port Anniversary

"Happy Birthday, Port of Hamburg!" - From 5 to 7 May 2023, Hamburg will once again celebrate the largest port festival in the world. Up to one million visitors are expected at this year's 834th Port Anniversary at the Port of Hamburg. They can look forward to many great ship-spotting moments - and to a varied programme on land. 

Hamburg is Germany’s Top Cruise Port in 2023

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…

April 8-11, 2024: CGH at the Seatrade Cruise Global, Miami

The global cruise industry meets at Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami Beach from April 8 to 11, 2024. Hamburg will be represented with 11 exhibitors and its own stand as a satellite stand of the "German Pavilion". Visit us at booth #2219. Simone Maraschi, Managing Director of Cruise Gate Hamburg, wi…

Landstrom bei drei Viertel der Kreuzfahrt-Anläufe 2024

Pressemitteilung der Behörde für Wirtschaft und Innovation Hamburg:   Hamburg, 22. Dezember 2023 - Hamburg ist europaweit Vorreiter bei der Landstromversorgung. Schiffe, die im Hafen liegen, beziehen dabei Strom aus erneuerbaren Energien, statt die Motoren laufen zu lassen. Die dafür erforderl…

End-of-Season Record Call at Hamburg

Hamburg, 21 December 2023 – Hamburg’s cruise industry closes the 2023 season with a special highlight: Two calls in a row by a fully booked AIDAnova make for an impressive passenger turnaround. The Christmas holiday voyages on December 22 and December 29 set a new record of passenger turnaround …

Digitale Werbung am Kreuzfahrtterminal Steinwerder buchen

Schalten Sie Werbung am Kreuzfahrtterminal - Erreichen Sie tausende potenzielle Kunden! Nutzen Sie jetzt die Chance, tausende potenzielle Kunden aus dem boomenden Kreuzfahrtsektor zu erreichen. Die Kreuzfahrt in Hamburg verzeichnet Rekordzahlen. Allein am Cruise Center Steinwerder werden in diesem …

Hamburg welcomes the one millionth cruise passenger in 2023

Cruise Shipping in Hamburg passes an historical Milestone: 1 million Cruise Passengers Hamburg, 13 November 2023 – For the first time Hamburg has passed an historical milestone in its cruise shipping history. On 12 November 2023 Hamburg welcomed the one-millionth cruise passenger when the MSC Eu…

Hamburg Cruise News: Folge über Wertschöpfung der Kreuzfahrt

Wir haben ein neues Video auf unserem "Hamburg Cruise News"-Kanal: Kreuzfahrtwirtschaft mit hohem Wertschöpfungsbeitrag in Hamburg - YouTube Diesmal gehen wir der Frage nach, welche Wertschöpfung die Kreuzfahrtbranche für Hamburg und die Metropolregion generiert.  In einer Studie der Behörde …

Seatrade Cruise Awards: Hamburg ist „Destination des Jahres“

Cruise Gate Hamburg (CGH) wins Seatrade Awards 2023 for Hamburg in the category "Destination of the Year".  The renowned Seatrade Cruise Awards recognise excellence and innovation in various areas of the cruise industry, setting new standards for innovation, creativity and technology in the cruis…

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Cruises from/to Hamburg, Germany

Hamburg, germany cruise port.

• Visit the Rathaus, a Baroque building with 647 rooms. The key highlight of this huge structure is the coffered ceiling and the Emperor’s Hall.   
• Try some of Hamburg’s cuisine at a local restaurant. Try birnen, bohnen and speck which is green runner beans with pears and bacon. Or for a real treat try a Franzbrotchen, which is like a stuffed and flat croissant.   
• Amsterdam isn’t the only city with a red light district. If you are daring and looking for a thrill, head to Grosse Freiheit, or Great Freedom street. You will also find clubs and theater performances here. This is one of the places where the Beatles got their early start.   
• Kunsthalle is Hamburg’s recently reopened art museum. It houses an altarpiece that was painted in 1379 with 24 biblical scenes along with an entire wing devoted to contemporary art.   
• If visiting on Sunday, get up early and head to the Fischmarkt, this is the city’s oldest open-air market where you can also catch live bands. 

Top 10 Cruises to Hamburg, Germany

• Norwegian Dawn 10 Night EUROPE - NORTHERN CAPITALS (OSL/SOU) Departing From Oslo, Norway (Jun 2024)
• MSC Preziosa 14 NIGHT Europe - Northern CRUISE Departing From Hamburg, Germany (Jun 2024 - Aug 2025)
• Seabourn Quest 11-DAY KIEL CANAL & THE BALTIC SEA Departing From Amsterdam, The Netherlands (Jun 2024)
• Seabourn Quest 22-DAY BALTIC, KIEL CANAL & SCANDINAVIA GEMS Departing From Amsterdam, The Netherlands (Jun 2024)
• Queen Anne 9 NIGHT Europe - Northern CRUISE Departing From Southampton, England (Jun 2024 - Jul 2026)
• Queen Anne 14 NIGHT Europe - Northern CRUISE Departing From Southampton, England (Jun 2024 - Jul 2026)
• Queen Anne 2 NIGHT Europe CRUISE Departing From Southampton, England (Jun 2024 - Jul 2026)
• Queen Anne 9 NIGHT Europe - Northern CRUISE Departing From Hamburg, Germany (Jul 2024 - Jul 2026)
• MSC Preziosa 12 NIGHT Europe - Northern CRUISE Departing From Hamburg, Germany (Jul 2024 - Jul 2025)
• Seven Seas Navigator 14 NIGHT Europe - Northern CRUISE Departing From Stockholm, Sweden (Jul 2024)

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• AIDAprima 3.400 passengers 15 Jun 2024 - 18:00
• MSC Preziosa 4.378 passengers 17 Jun 2024 - 19:00
• AIDAperla 3.400 passengers 19 Jun 2024 - 18:00
• AIDAluna 2.500 passengers 19 Jun 2024 - 18:00
• Norwegian Dawn 2.808 passengers 22 Jun 2024 - 00:00
• ms Europa 408 passengers 22 Jun 2024 - 18:00
• AIDAprima 3.400 passengers 22 Jun 2024 - 18:00
• AIDAsol 2.686 passengers 23 Jun 2024 - 17:00
• Seabourn Quest 540 passengers 24 Jun 2024 - 23:00
• AIDAsol 2.686 passengers 27 Jun 2024 - 18:00
• ms Europa 2 516 passengers 27 Jun 2024 - 19:00
• AIDAperla 3.400 passengers 28 Jun 2024 - 18:00
• AIDAprima 3.400 passengers 29 Jun 2024 - 18:00
• MSC Preziosa 4.378 passengers 01 Jul 2024 - 19:00
• Queen Anne 3.353 passengers 02 Jul 2024 - 00:00
• AIDAsol 2.686 passengers 02 Jul 2024 - 18:00
• AIDAprima 3.400 passengers 06 Jul 2024 - 18:00
• ms Europa 2 516 passengers 07 Jul 2024 - 05:00
• AIDAperla 3.400 passengers 08 Jul 2024 - 18:00
• AIDAluna 2.500 passengers 08 Jul 2024 - 18:00
• MSC Preziosa 4.378 passengers 12 Jul 2024 - 19:00
• AIDAprima 3.400 passengers 13 Jul 2024 - 18:00
• AIDAsol 2.686 passengers 14 Jul 2024 - 18:00
• AIDAperla 3.400 passengers 18 Jul 2024 - 18:00
• ms Europa 408 passengers 18 Jul 2024 - 18:00
• AIDAprima 3.400 passengers 20 Jul 2024 - 18:00
• Norwegian Dawn 2.808 passengers 21 Jul 2024 - 13:00
• MSC Preziosa 4.378 passengers 24 Jul 2024 - 19:00
• AIDAsol 2.686 passengers 26 Jul 2024 - 18:00
• AIDAprima 3.400 passengers 27 Jul 2024 - 18:00
• AIDAluna 2.500 passengers 27 Jul 2024 - 18:00
• AIDAperla 3.400 passengers 28 Jul 2024 - 18:00
• ms Europa 2 516 passengers 29 Jul 2024 - 19:00
• Costa Favolosa 3.617 passengers 29 Jul 2024 - 20:00
• Oceania Sirena 803 passengers 31 Jul 2024 - 21:00
• Crystal Symphony 1.040 passengers 02 Aug 2024 - 18:00
• AIDAprima 3.400 passengers 03 Aug 2024 - 18:00
• AIDAsol 2.686 passengers 04 Aug 2024 - 18:00
• MSC Preziosa 4.378 passengers 04 Aug 2024 - 19:00
• Queen Mary 2 3.271 passengers 07 Aug 2024 - 00:00
• AIDAperla 3.400 passengers 07 Aug 2024 - 18:00
• AIDAprima 3.400 passengers 10 Aug 2024 - 18:00
• AIDAluna 2.500 passengers 10 Aug 2024 - 18:00
• Queen Mary 2 3.271 passengers 14 Aug 2024 - 00:00
• AIDAluna 2.500 passengers 15 Aug 2024 - 18:00
• Queen Mary 2 3.271 passengers 16 Aug 2024 - 00:00
• AIDAperla 3.400 passengers 16 Aug 2024 - 18:00
• AIDAsol 2.686 passengers 16 Aug 2024 - 18:00
• AIDAprima 3.400 passengers 17 Aug 2024 - 18:00
• MSC Preziosa 4.378 passengers 18 Aug 2024 - 21:00

Hamburg, Germany

Here on the estuary of the River Elbe is Germany's largest seaport. Wander from the Hanse Sternschanze, rich with shops, auction houses and art galleries, to the beer halls of the St. Pauli district.

From A1/A255/A252/B4/B75: Follow signs to Hamburg city, exit Veddeler Brückenstraße/B4, follow B4 - slight left to stay on B4 for 4400m - slight left to Millerntorplatz - continue to Reeperbahn - after 1000m turn left to Peepermölenbek - turn left to St. Pauli Fischmarkt - take the 1st right to Große Elbstraße - after 800m turn left to Van-der-Smissen-Straße

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Hamburg, Germany

PORT OF HAMBURG: Welcome to the official website of Germany's biggest seaport

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Hamburg Cruise Ship Schedule For 2024

WHATSINPORT.COM: YOUR CRUISE GUIDE TO 1200 PORTS OF CALL

Interactive world cruise map, home | cruise ships | port expenses | hints and tips, cruise ports in germany, germany - bremerhaven, germany - binz rugen, germany - flensburg, germany - hamburg, germany - heligoland, germany - kiel, germany - list sylt, germany - sassnitz, germany - travemunde, germany - warnemunde, germany - wismar.

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Thinking of booking a cruise? Here are the lines you should — and shouldn't — sail with.

• Before you book a cruise , it's important to understand that not all cruise lines are equal.
• Each cruise line has amenities, entertainment, and experiences tailored to specific cruisers.
• Carnival is good for families, Virgin Voyages for solo adults, and Cunard for mature travelers. 

I am a very, very avid cruiser. Last year alone, I spent 73 days on cruise ships .

I've sailed with most major lines, from kid-focused Disney Cruise Line to the sometimes-naughty Virgin Voyages. When people ask me which cruise ships I recommend , my answer isn't so straightforward.

Each cruise line is unique, offering amenities, entertainment, and experiences tailored to specific cruisers. What you book will depend on your needs, wants, budget, and what you'd rather avoid.

So, I've done some research about popular cruise lines and combined my personal experiences to help you decide which cruise line to book with.

After all, this is kind of the year of the cruise , with travelers predicted to set sail at some of the highest rates in years throughout 2024.

Here's what you need to know about some of the major cruise lines before you book your next trip.

Editor's Note: Price ranges were calculated at the time of publication based on available listings on each cruise site. Cruise pricing is per person, based on double occupancy and the cheapest stateroom/fare available. Prices were calculated before taxes, port charges, and other fees. Itineraries with added tours built-in were not included when calculating this information.

Carnival Cruise Line

Cost: $ | Prices range from $156/pp for a two-day getaway from Sydney to $3,273/pp for a 10-day Alaska cruise

Ideal for: Budget travelers, intergenerational groups, families, and partiers

Skip if: You're looking for a high-class, elegant experience or a quiet, laid-back vibe

Highlight: All Carnival cruises come with itineraries loaded with fun activities. Some ships have especially exciting features like the first roller coaster at sea, SkyRide zip-line-style aerial bikes, and themed parties.

Possible cons: This is not a cruise line for those who like to wear a tux or ball gown or have a quiet cruise experience.

Launched in 1972, Carnival Cruise Line is one of nine cruise lines owned by parent company Carnival Corporation & plc. It's the company's largest cruise line, with 27 ships. Its cruises typically range from two days to 29 days.

Carnival Cruise Line offers year-round cruises in Australia, The Bahamas, the Caribbean, and Mexico and seasonal cruises in Alaska , Bermuda, Canada, Europe, Hawaii, and New England.

Celebrity Cruises

Cost: $$ | Prices range from $233/pp for a three-night Key West & Bahamas cruise to $6,912/pp for a 7-night Galapagos cruise

Ideal for: Couples, families, and solo travelers

Skip if: You're looking for a slower-paced classic cruise

Highlight: All Celebrity Cruises come with amazing outdoor spaces like The Lawn Club with real grass on the top deck of Solstice Series ships and the Rooftop Terrace on Millennium Series ships. You also won't want to miss the Magic Carpet , which allows guests to hang out while suspended above the ocean on some ships.

Possible cons: This is not a cruise line for those who want to attend lectures about their ports of call.

Celebrity Cruises began sailing in 1997. There are 16 ships, which sail on itineraries ranging from three to 19 nights to nearly 300 ports of call in 70 countries.

Cost: $$$ | Prices range from $249/pp for a two-night cruise from Southampton, England to Hamburg, Germany, to $19,158/pp for a 111-night World Voyage

Ideal for: Sophisticated travelers and mature cruisers

Skip if: You're looking for a high-energy cruise, hoping to travel with children , or craving adventurous activities

Highlight: All Cunard cruises come with white-glove service. You won't want to miss Cunard's famous 3:30 p.m. afternoon tea, gala evenings, and fine dining arranged by stateroom grade.

Possible cons: This is a very formal cruise with strict dress codes. You won't find water slides or pool parties here.

Founded in 1840, Cunard offers a classic cruise experience with cruises ranging from two to 116 nights.

Its four ships sail to Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America.

Disney Cruise Line

Cost: $$$ | Prices range from $422.40/pp for a two-night cruise from Sydney to Brisbane, Australia, to $5,592/pp for a 12-night Mediterranean with Greek Isles cruise

Ideal for: Disney adults , families, and intergenerational groups

Skip if: You don't want to vacation around a bunch of children and you crave peace and quiet

Highlight: All Disney Cruise Line cruises come with heaps of Disney magic in the way of special events and details. You won't want to miss character meet and greets, pirate-themed parties with fireworks, and passengers trading pins and leaving treats inside decorative pouches hung on stateroom doors.

Possible cons: There is a significant child population on most of these cruises and not much adults-only entertainment. Dinners in the main dining can get loud, and, just like at the theme parks, there can be many queues for activities and other offerings.

Disney Cruise Line first set sail in the 1990s and has five active ships, with the new Disney Treasure set to debut in December. The line has sailings all around the globe, and most range from two to 15 nights.

Holland America Line

Cost: $$ | Prices range from $94/pp for a one-day Pacific Northwest cruise to a $27,399/pp for a 132-day Grand Voyage

Ideal for: Music lovers and sophisticated world travelers who appreciate European hospitality and smaller ships

Skip if: You're young, traveling with children, or want to party

Highlight: All Holland America Line cruises come with a dose of Dutch hospitality and elegance. During my cruise with the line, I enjoyed the Dutch cuisine and Music Walk , which features live performances at B.B. King's Blues Club, Rolling Stone Rock Room, and Billboard Onboard.

Possible cons: The line takes its formal nights really seriously and attracts an older crowd.

Holland America Line has had ships sailing the globe for over 140 years. Its 11 ships cruise to more than 425 ports of call on seven continents, and cruises range from one to 118 days.

MSC Cruises

Cost: $ | Prices range from $80/pp for a three-night Mediterranean cruise to $46,149/pp for a 116-night World Cruise

Ideal for: Budget travelers, families, intergenerational groups, big groups

Skip if: You're looking for lots of food options or top-tier entertainment

Highlight: All MSC Cruises offer great value — and good pizza

Possible cons: The cruise fare does not include many dining options, and the evening entertainment skews old-school and a bit more basic than some other cruise lines that do Broadway-worthy shows.

MSC Cruises has 22 ships, with one more projected to join its fleet by 2025. The line has sailings all around the globe, and most range from two to 118 nights.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Cost: $$ | Prices range from $79/pp for a one-day Australia cruise to $4,379/pp for a 10-day European cruise

Ideal for: Couples, families, and solo cruisers

Skip if: You're looking for structure, ballroom dancing, and fancy dinners

Highlight: All Norwegian Cruise Line cruises offer freestyle dining. You won't want to miss its Broadway-level shows and generous drink package, which is often offered complimentary.

Possible cons: This is not a cruise line for those who like formal dress codes, and some dislike the à la carte pricing.

Norwegian Cruise Line has been sailing the world for over 57 years. Its 19 ships visit 400-plus ports on seven continents, and cruises typically last one to 25 days.

Princess Cruises

Cost: $$ | Prices range from $127/pp for a two-day Australia Seacation to $24,098/pp for a 98-day World Cruise

Ideal for: Mature solo travelers, couples, and retirees

Skip if: You're looking for lots of activities and party vibes. Princess Cruises tend to attract an older crowd, and the shows and activities reflect this. There aren't many events offered each day. On the three cruises I sailed with Princess, the entertainment was primarily musicals, piano players, and singers backed by an orchestra. There were only a handful of children on each cruise.

Highlight: All Princess Cruises offer Discovery and Animal Planet-exclusive shore excursions — and many have an excellent onboard lecture series.

Possible cons: This is not a cruise line for those who like to party, love water slides, or have teenagers.

Founded in 1965, Princess Cruises has 16 ships that sail to 330 destinations worldwide on itineraries from three to 111 days

Royal Caribbean

Cost: $$ | Prices range from $196/pp for a two-night Hong Kong cruise to $8,266/pp for a 13-night Arctic Circle cruise

Ideal for: Couples, families, and intergenerational travelers

Highlight: All Royal Caribbean cruises come with fun activities and a broad range of entertainment options. Some have the Ultimate Abyss , the tallest slide at sea, or the glass capsule North Star , the tallest viewing deck on a cruise ship. You won't want to miss the Oasis Class ships' seven distinctly themed neighborhoods and Royal Promenade, a mall-like thoroughfare with shops, restaurants, and lounges that runs the length of the ship.

Possible cons: Many of its ships are mega-ships, so this isn't the line for you if you want a more intimate trip.

Founded in 1968, Royal Caribbean sails to about 240 destinations on six continents. Cruises range from two to 22 nights.

Royal Caribbean has many of the world's largest cruise ships in its fleet of more than 20 vessels.

Virgin Voyages

Cost: $$ | Prices range from $415/pp for a four-night roundtrip cruise from England to Amsterdam to a $3,072/pp for a 13-night Canada, Carolina, and Miami cruise

Ideal for: Child-free travelers, health enthusiasts, the glamorous, and those who don't like strict rules

Skip if: You want a classic cruise, need structure, or can't handle playfulness (and, sometimes, naughtiness)

Highlight: All Virgin Voyages are child-free, and everyone gets unlimited WiFi, access to group fitness classes, and gratuities included in their fare. You won't want to miss its famous Scarlet Night, 20 eateries (every venue is considered specialty dining), and eclectic shows like "Untitled DanceShowPartyThing."

Possible cons: There aren't traditional song-and-dance shows, assigned dining times, and nightly portrait photography

Virgin Voyages has been sailing its "Lady Ships" inspired by superyachts since 2021. Three nearly identical ships are currently in service, and a fourth one is set to set sail later this year.

Virgin Voyages sails to about 100 destinations in Australia, Europe, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and the United Kingdom on cruises ranging from three to 16 nights.

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Cologne (Koln, Germany North Rhine-Westphalia)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region Europe Rivers

Local Time 2024-06-15 01:43

Port Cologne cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Cologne, Koln, Germany North Rhine-Westphalia. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

Cologne (Koln) is a Rhine River cruise port and city in Germany's North Rhine-Westphalia state. By population (around 1,09 million) the city is ranked Europe's 31st-largest and Germany's 4th-largest (after Berlin , Hamburg , Munchen ). By metro population (around 10,5 million) Koln is also in Europe's top-10 largest metropolises.

The city spreads on both sides of Rhine, and is ~80 km (50 mi) from the Germany-Belgium border. Among its most prominent landmarks are Kolner Dom (13th-century cathedral), the University of Cologne (14th-century/one of Europe's oldest and largest, with more than 48,000 students), over 30 museums.

On shore excursions/roundtrip bus tours from Cologne can be visited Schloss Ehreshoven (14th-century moated castle, originally owned by the Abtei Michaelsberg/11th-century founded Benedectine abbey in Siegburg).

Koln was established by the Romans in the 1st century AD. The city was the capital of the Germania province in the Roman Empire, until its occupation by the Franks in 462. During Middle Ages, it was among the continent's largest and most important cities. During WW2 (1939-1945), Koln was one of the most severely bombed cities in Germany. The allies' bombing raids reduced the population by 95% and destroyed almost the entire infrastructure.

In early-November 2018, PitPoint LNG BV (Holland-based company founded in 2016, subsidiary of Primagaz Nederland BV) was granted a permit to build shore-to-ship LNG bunkering station for supplying LNG-powered inland vessels with liquefied natural gas. Construction works started in 2018, with scheduled completion in 2019-Q2.

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The Alternative to Huge Cruises? 3 Masts, 28 Sails and Wind Power.

We checked out the 136-passenger Sea Cloud Spirit on a Mediterranean cruise. In this era of gargantuan ships, its elegant clipper design, wooden decks and relatively small size stands out.

By Ceylan Yeğinsu

From the bridge of the three-masted windjammer, the Sea Cloud Spirit , the captain called out the words we’d all been waiting for.

“Let’s set the sails!” he cried, after turning off the engines, while maneuvering to maintain an optimum angle for his 18 deckhands to climb into the shrouds and unfurl the ship’s 44,132 square feet of sails by hand.

Like acrobats, the crew scurried up the masts to the upper topgallant sails that rose nearly 200 feet above us. The ship’s captain, Vukota Stojanovic, later insisted that none of it was for show. “Whenever there is an opportunity to sail, we sail,” he said.

For the next hour, the crew hauled the ropes until the 28 sails were billowing in the wind, propelling the 452-foot-long ship — the world’s largest passenger sailing vessel on which the sails are raised by hand — toward its first port of call, Portofino, Italy.

At a time when cruise lines are packing their ever-more-gargantuan ships with water parks and basketball courts, the 136-passenger Sea Cloud Spirit, with its old-fashioned clipper design and wooden decks, stands out. It is the newest ship from the Hamburg-based Sea Cloud Cruises , and while it is the company’s biggest, Sea Cloud said it wanted to leave space for passengers to connect to the surrounding elements.

“Wherever you are on the ship, it feels like you are sitting on the water,” said Amelia Dominick, 71, a retired real estate agent from Cologne, Germany, who was on her third cruise onboard the Sea Cloud Spirit.

I had arrived for a four-night “taster sailing” from Nice, France, to the Ligurian region of Italy, designed to entice passengers to sign up for a longer cruise. Here’s what I found.

The ship and cabins

The Spirit has many comforts and luxuries, including a fitness center, library, hair salon and a spa with a Finnish sauna that overlooks the sea. The deck layouts are spacious, with nooks carved out for privacy and relaxation.

Sixty-nine spacious cabins have windows that open onto the sea. My room, a junior suite on the third deck, had two large arched windows, mahogany tables, a balcony and a comfortable couch and armchair. The marble bathroom was lavish, with a gold-plated sink and large jetted bathtub.

The elegant interior design is inspired by the original Sea Cloud, built in 1931 for Marjorie Merriweather Post, the American heiress of the General Foods Corporation, with glossy wooden panels and gold trimmings. The Sea Cloud was the largest private sailing yacht in the world before Post handed it over to the U.S. Navy for use as a weather-reporting vessel during World War II. The four-mast, 64-passenger ship has since been restored to its former glory and will sail across the Aegean and Adriatic this summer.

The experience felt authentic — even before the sails were set — with a detailed safety drill. On most cruises, the drill entails a safety video and signing in at an assembly point. But here, passengers put on their life jackets and walked through emergency scenarios that included rationing food supplies and fishing from the lifeboat.

Each day, the sails were set, even during heavy rain and wind speeds over 30 knots. Guests wanting to participate in the rigging are usually invited to do so, but the weather conditions made it too risky for this sailing.

“It was amazing to watch the work go into putting the sails up and down and to experience the wind power pulling the ship so fast without the engines,” said Malte Rahnenfuehrer, a 50-year-old psychologist from Zurich, who was traveling with his partner and two children.

The captain

It is rare for cruise passengers to see the ship’s captain after the initial welcome drinks or gala dinner. But Capt. Vukota Stojanovic was omnipresent throughout the cruise, from setting sails to lifeguarding to mingling with guests.

Originally from Montenegro, Captain Stojanovic piloted container ships for years. When he was asked to consider helming the original Sea Cloud nearly 10 years ago, he hesitated because he had no experience sailing. Even after he learned the ropes — and there are 340 ropes (known as running rigging) on the vessel — he was unsure. “I grew to love the sailings, the boats, the crew the lifestyle, but I still felt I belonged on container ships,” he said. “It would be a big adjustment, especially because I would have to shave every day,” he joked.

Eventually, he accepted the opportunity and worked tirelessly to learn how to sail and operate the ship. Today, he keeps an “open bridge” policy, allowing passengers to visit the control room, even when he is wrestling with the wind.

“The crew and the passengers are all part of the experience, and I like to meet people and receive their feedback,” Captain Stojanovic said.

Environment

Sea Cloud Cruises aspires to take a “gentle” approach, using wind power to drive its ships wherever possible, even if that means changing course for optimal weather conditions. When sailing is not possible, the Spirit has two diesel-electric engines that run on low-sulfur marine diesel fuel. The company is also working with ports that have shore power capabilities to plug into the local electric power.

Onboard, there is an emphasis on reusable bottles and paper straws, and crew members separate solid waste to be compacted and removed when in port.

Excursions and Activities

We made stops in Portofino, San Remo, Italy, and St.-Tropez, France, anchoring offshore and getting to land by tender — a contrast to the big cruise ships with their loud horns and thick plumes of exhaust spewing from their funnels.

For passengers wanting to take a dip (there is no pool), the crew marked an area in the water with floats and an inflatable slide. The water was frigid, but many passengers took the plunge from the swimming deck. Guests could also take “Zodiac Safaris” around the ship to get views of the vessel from the water.

Excursions ranged from food and wine tours to e-biking and beach trips. In Portofino, passengers were free to explore the sights independently, including the Castello Brown Fortress and the lighthouse on Punta del Capo rock. There was ample time to eat meals on shore as the ship did not depart until 11 p.m. Over the summer, the Sea Cloud Spirit will sail to Spain, Portugal, France and the Azores, among other destinations. On Nov. 11, she will depart for St. Maarten in the Caribbean for the winter.

Wherever the vessel goes, said Mirell Reyes, president of Sea Cloud Cruise for North America, the company tries to “stay away from the crowds and ports where big cruise ships spit out 6,000 passengers.”

Summer prices, which include food and beverages, range from $3,995 for a four-night sailing in a superior cabin to $9,420 for a veranda suite. Seven-night sailings cost between $6,995 and $16,495.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Ceylan Yeginsu is a travel reporter for The Times who frequently writes about the cruise industry and Europe, where she is based. More about Ceylan Yeğinsu

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