Terminal operator Cruise Gate Hamburg (CGH) has every reason to celebrate. During 2016 it has experienced a record-breaking 171 cruise ship visits to Hamburg and a turnaround of over 710,000 passengers. Cruise Gate Hamburg expects these figures to rise to 200 arrivals and roughly 800,000 passengers in the 2017 season. “This is an excellent result given that this is the first year we are fully operational,” says Sacha Rougier, Managing Director of Cruise Gate Hamburg GmbH. “Our work behind the scenes and the close dialogue with the cruise companies resulted in a record number of passengers in 2016. This strategy will pay off in 2017 and the coming years as well. This extraordinary development is also due to the close co-operation with Hamburg Tourismus and Hamburg Cruise Center, within the Cruise Shipping Initiative of Hamburg, calls Cruise Net Hamburg.”
Hamburg’s growing popularity as a cruise destination is not least due to spectacular events, such as the Hamburg Cruise Days and the Blue Port Hamburg, a combined event that draws large crowds. The high-profile maritime event, which next takes place from 8 to 10 September 2017, lures hundreds of thousands of cruise enthusiasts to the port and together with the Harbour’s anniversary (5-7 May 2017) has become one of the major events in the Hanseatic city’s event calendar.
Of particular importance for the cruise industry is the combination of public event and business event. “The strategic decision to stage the Hamburg Cruise Days, a spectator’s event, simultaneously with international industry events such as Seatrade Europe, a major European trade fair, strengthens Hamburg as a location for business and reinforces our city’s reputation as a centre of excellence for the international cruise industry,” says Michael Otremba who, in his capacity as the Managing Director of Hamburg Convention Bureau and Hamburg Tourismus, also is the licensor of the event. In addition Hamburg has numerous other highlights for cruise fans in store. The Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Joy, Mein Schiff 6, Independence of the Seas, MSC Preziosa and Silver Wind - all mega-cruise ships - will call at the Hanseatic city for the first time. The majority of cruise passengers start their journey with AIDA Cruises, MSC Cruises, TUI Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Costa.
Hamburg Cruise Days on September
The Hamburg Cruise Days have become a fixture in the Hanseatic city. Their importance is reflected in the commitment of cruise liner companies, which has been increasing for years. Next year’s sixth Hamburg Cruise Days are expected to see record participation levels. No fewer than 10 cruise ships will call at the Hanseatic city over the Hamburg Cruise Days weekend: the AIDAprima (AIDA Cruises), MSC Preziosa (MSC Cruises), Europa and Europa 2 (both Hapag-Lloyd Cruises), Mein Schiff 3 (TUI Cruises), Albatros and Amadea (both Phoenix Reisen), Silver Wind (Silversea Cruises), Norwegian Jade (Norwegian Cruise Line), and the river cruise ship Sans Souci (Plantours). Their parade will be one of the largest – if not the largest – parade of cruise ships in the world. On the eve of the event’s Saturday 6 cruise ships, accompanied by 24 smaller boats and a brilliant display of fireworks, will sail down the River Elbe. “The parade will beat everything you’ve ever seen,” says event organiser Uwe Bergmann. Other highlights on the water will be a fireworks display on Friday night and “Cruise Night” with many of the passenger boats offering themed boat rides on the River Elbe.
