By
Laura Hyde |
The Port of Hamburg has welcomed one million cruise passengers in 2023.
The German port reached the historic milestone on 12 November 2023 when MSC Cruises’ MSC Euribia docked in the city. The one millionth passenger and their family were greeted at the Cruise Center Steinwerder by port officials (pictured) as they waited to board MSC’s newest ship. They were greeted by Iris Scheel and Simone Maraschi, managing directors of Cruise Gate Hamburg, who presented the family with an adventure holiday package in Hamburg.
“Welcoming the one millionth guest is a very special moment that is not only important to us as the operators of the city’s cruise terminals but to our partners and the city of Hamburg as well,” said Maraschi. “The cruise industry has quickly recovered from the pandemic, and Hamburg has become an attractive all-year-round cruise destination. We wish the onemillionth guest and all future visitors unforgettable cruise trips to and from Hamburg.”
The port expects to have welcomed 280 calls by the end of 2023 and, so far, has 270 cruise ship visits scheduled for 2024. This will include 10 ships that are due to make their maiden calls to the port: Azamara Onward, Costa Cruises’ Costa Favolosa, TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 7, Lindblad Expeditions’ National Geographic Explorer, Albatros Expeditions’ Ocean Albatros, Cunard’s Queen Anne, Seabourn Quest, Oceania Cruises’ Sirena and Princess Cruises Sky Princess. The tenth ship to make its inaugural call at the port in 2024 will be Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Dream, which is scheduled to dock on 3 September.
The Port of Hamburg is currently building a new alternative marine power station at Cruise Center HafenCity, which is expected to start operations in spring 2025.
“One million cruise passengers within one year – this number demonstrates how attractive Hamburg is for international cruises and tourism,” said Peter Tschentscher, first mayor of Hamburg.