Plan your cruise like a scout

Routes, ports and cruise lines, honestly compared. Plus shore excursions, hotels near the terminal and a stress-free journey to the ship, all in one place. The Voyage Scout is written in German first; this page gathers our English guides.

What you will find on The Voyage Scout

• River cruises: Rhine, Danube, Seine and Douro, and the lines that sail them.
• Ocean cruises: Mediterranean, Norway, Caribbean and the Baltic, many itineraries starting in Hamburg, Kiel or Warnemünde.
• Ports & shore trips: where your ship docks, how to get into town and what you can do in the time you have.
• Travel & hotels: by train to the port, parking, the night before and transfers.

Our first port guide: Hamburg Cruise Port

Hamburg is Germany's leading cruise port, the starting point for Norway, Baltic and Western Europe itineraries. Arrive a day early to enjoy the city and board relaxed.

Cruise terminals at a glance

• Cruise Center HafenCity: In Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier, Überseeboulevard 7. U4 station "Überseequartier" right at the terminal, two stops from the main station. Walk to the Elbphilharmonie and Speicherstadt, car park on site.
• Cruise Center Altona: Van-der-Smissen-Straße 5, on the Elbe. Bus 111 from Altona station to "Große Elbstraße", or harbour ferry 62 from the Landungsbrücken to "Dockland".
• Cruise Center Steinwerder: Buchheisterstraße 16, south bank. For large ships. Easiest by taxi or transfer; bus 256 runs to U/S Elbbrücken. Luggage service at the terminal.
• Cruise Center Baakenhöft: Eastern HafenCity. Small berth for smaller ships.

Getting to the ship

By train: long-distance trains stop at Hamburg Hbf and Hamburg-Altona; from the main station, the U4 takes you two stops to the HafenCity terminal; for Altona take the S1, S3 or U3 to Landungsbrücken and then ferry 62; for Steinwerder a taxi or transfer is easiest. Transfer: fixed-price transfer from the airport or station.

Where to stay before you sail

• Altona & the Elbe shore for Altona departures.
• HafenCity & Speicherstadt, central and modern.
• St. Georg by the main station, practical for rail travellers.
• Apartments for families or longer stays.

Best things to do

• Harbour cruise from the Landungsbrücken.
• Elbphilharmonie Plaza with timed ticket.
• Miniatur Wunderland in the Speicherstadt.
• Hamburg CARD for public transport and harbour ferries.

Scout tip: Harbour ferry line 62 runs from the Landungsbrücken past Altona on a regular HVV ticket. The cheapest harbour tour in town.

Last updated October 2026; the cruise line's information is binding.