Cruising has always been a popular way of vacationing. There is the thrill of staying in a floating city while visiting international ports known for their fascinating history, interesting culture, pretty beaches, gorgeous landscapes, and numerous other attractions. Europe is a popular cruise destination, as there are several amazing countries and cities on this continent. Several European countries are known for their well-equipped ports that support all kinds of cruises, right from boutique ones to the high-end ones. One such country is Germany. Infact, Hamburg in Germany is considered the leading cruise shipping center, with around 300 cruises visiting the port every year. Moreover, Hamburg is also a popular tourist destination, known for its architecture, bridges, canals, and museums. With this note, let us look at the best Germany cruises in 2024-25, especially the ones that depart from Hamburg.
Costa Favolosa
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Costa Favolosa is a luxury cruise by Costa Cruises, one of the most popular cruises today. The 7-night cruise embarks on a journey from Hamburg and will take you on a trip to Northern Europe. This is one of the cruises from Germany that will take you to the cities and coastal towns in Norway. The itinerary of this cruise includes a visit to places like Maloy, Alesund, Nordfjordeid, and Vik-Sogn before returning to Hamburg. During your journey, you get two days at sea to explore the cruise that is brimming with activities.
Costa Favlosa has around 524 cabins with balconies as well as interior staterooms. For relaxation, the cruise offers a spa and 9 swimming pools and hot tubs. It has six restaurants and snack bars as well as 12 bars and lounges, the most popular being Archipelago, Sunset Lounge Bar, Teppanyaki Restaurant, and Gelateria Amarillo. There is a theater that hosts several shows, including comedy shows, acrobats, and musicals every evening. Apart from this, Costa Favolosa has a casino, an outdoor jogging track, a baby area, a kids’ club, and a sports area. Families can enjoy staycation on a cruise with Costa Cruises, as the cruise has everything to entertain and engage families with kids of all ages.
Avalon Envision
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Another cruise you can enjoy from Germany is the 7-nights Festive Season on the Legendary Danube with Avalon Envision. A cruise by Avalon Waterways, it begins in the German port of Nuremburg. During this cruise, you will get to visit ports in Germany, Austria, and Hungary. You get to visit six ports, including Nuremburg, Regensburg, Passau, Emmersdorf, Vienna, and Budapest.
Avalon Envision is a stylish ship with a sleek design. It has 16 staterooms and 67 suites. The rooms here come with balconies and wall-to-wall windows that give a panoramic view of the ocean. The cruise has an adventure center which takes the visitors on adventure activities like biking, hiking, and jogging excursions offshore. One of the highlights of this cruise is that it offers complimentary wi-fi to its passengers. Guests will get to have a variety of food and cuisines on this ship. From local cuisines to healthy options, there is plenty to satisfy your taste buds on this cruise. The cruise also has lounges and bars where you can relax and enjoy a drink with your family, friends, and fellow passengers. Those who are into fitness can access the fully equipped fitness club anytime during the day.
MSC Preziosa
A fleet by MSC Cruises, MSC Preziosa offers a 7-nights cruise that begins and ends in Hamburg, Germany. This is one of the cruises from Hamburg that gives you the chance to spend two entire days onboard while the other days are dedicated to visit ports in Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Great Britain. This cruise itinerary includes ports like Rotterdam, Zeebrugge, Gavr, and Southampton.
MSC Preziosa is an opulent cruise that comes with a real stone piazza and a staircase embedded with Swarovski crystals. There is also an infinity pool that gives you an amazing view of the sea while you are swimming or relaxing. The cruise has interior rooms, balcony rooms, and a variety of suites to enhance your cruising experience. During your cruise on this ship, you will get to try different types of cuisines at some of the best restaurants like Butcher’s Cut, La Locanda, La Palmeraie, L’Arabesque Panoramic Restaurant, The Golden Lobster, and more. One of the reasons this cruise is quite popular among families is the Doremi Castle Kids, an amazing aqua park right on the upper deck. A theater, 4D cinema, casino, lounges, bars, virtual world, and sports bowling are also available onboard for your entertainment.
Queen Anne
One of the Germany cruise holidays to watch out for in 2024-25 is on Cunrad’s Queen Anne. This cruise that takes you to a journey of Northern Europe and Scandinavia from Germany. While Cunrad has several cruises that depart from Hamburg, this is a 10-night cruise that will let you enjoy the ports and the ship equally. Once you depart from Germany, you will be able to visit Denmark, Sweden, Estonia, and Finland before returning to Hamburg. The ports you get to visit are Copenhagen, Visby, Tallinn, Helsinki, and Aarhus.
There are three days when the ship will be at sea, giving you the chance to explore the cruise in its entirety. Moreover, there is much to see, as Queen Anne is a luxurious ship with a swanky decor to impress. For your 10-night stay, you can choose between economy rooms and lavish suites, different options available in these categories as well. While your stay on the cruise would be nothing less than comfortable, Queen Anne also promises a gourmet experience. Queens Grill Restaurant, Princess Grill Restaurant, Britannia Restaurant, Artisans’ Foodhall, and Golden Lion are few of the restaurants to try here. Grand theaters, boutique stores, and an expansive sports arena are available onboard for your entertainment and relaxation. Moreover, Queen Anne is also home to lavish spa and wellness facilities. This cruise is perfect for couples, especially honeymooners.
Silver Shadow
Silversea’s Silver Shadow will take you on a 12-night cruise to Norway from Germany in 2025. The cruise begins in Hamburg and proceeds to Oslo, Kristiandsand, Stavanger, Bergen, Flam, Olden, Andalsnes, and Trondheim. The cruise ends in Norway’s Tromso. Days two and twelve are spent on the sea, which is when you get to enjoy the amenities and activities on the cruise to the fullest.
Like all fleets of Silversea, Silver Shadow also offers world-class luxury and comfort to all its passengers. You get to enjoy the scenic landscapes of the Nordic region while relaxing in your lavish suites or other luxurious areas of the cruise ship. There are plenty of restaurants and bars onboard that offer you a gourmet experience. La Terrazza is where you should go if you are craving for some delicious Italian cuisine while La Dame serves you authentic French cuisine. The Grill is a restaurant that offers you a panoramic view of the ocean along with amazing food. Then there is the pool deck as well as fitness center where you can try Yoga and Pilates. The cruise has a show lounge where you can watch several entertaining performances. Beauty salons, spas, fitness centers, lounges, boutiques etc., are all part of this cruise.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which are the most popular ports in Germany?Germany is home to several cruise ports, the most significant being the one in Hamburg. Other than this, Ports of Bremen and Bremerhaven, Wilhelmshaven, Duisburg, Emden, Kiel, Lubeck, and Frankfurt are some other major ports in Germany, where cruise ships dock regularly.
2. When is the cruise season in Germany?The cruise season in Germany is between March and October, i.e., spring, summer, and autumn seasons. The best time to cruise in Germany or anywhere in Europe is during the summer season (between June and September). It is best to avoid cruising in Germany between November and February, as the winter here is extremely cold.
3. Do I need a visa to cruise in Germany?Depending on your nationality, you may or may not need a visa to cruise in Germany. If you need a German Schengen visa to visit the country by air, you will need a visa to visit the country while on a cruise as well.
4. How much in advance should I book a cruise to or from Germany?Europe is one of the most popular cruise destinations, so it is important to book as early as possible if you want to go on a cruise to or from Germany. Ideally, it is best to book a Germany cruise 6-12 months before departure, as you will get the chance to reserve the cabins you prefer.
5. Should I book a Germany cruise directly through the cruise portal or should I hire a cruise agent?It is best to book a cruise through a cruise agent rather than directly through the cruise portal. A cruise agent collaborates with different cruise lines and has access to deals and discounts, which you may not get if you go for direct booking.
The cruises from Germany will give you a chance to explore some of the best European cruise destinations. So, which one of the above-mentioned cruises would you pick for your next cruise holiday?
