With its proximity to Scandinavia along the 11-mile Kiel Fjord, this capital city of the northern Germany state of Schleswig-Holstein has a long and proud maritime history. It is also where the eastern lock of the world’s busiest artificial waterway – Kiel Canal – connects the North Sea to the Baltic and site of the annual Kiel Week, the largest sailing event in the world. Admire some of the 60,000 ships that traverse the canal every year on a stroll along the waterfront promenade known as the Kiellinie, perhaps stopping for a dessert called Rote Grütze at one of many inviting cafés and restaurants. For an atmospheric appreciation of Kiel’s fishing and seafaring history, explore the Schiffahrtsmuseum located within a Gothic Revival fish auction house.
Enjoy a remarkably comprehensive tour of Hamburg’s landmarks and travel to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Lübeck to view its architectural treasures and browse an institute solely devoted to composer Johannes Brahms.
DAY 1 – Sunday, June 18, 2023
After disembarking in Kiel, you will meet your transfer escort and travel to Hamburg by bus. The local tour guide there will provide you with a map and some sightseeing tips during the extended orientation tour that follows.
Highlights include seeing the fashionable Jungfernstieg shopping promenade, the oldest Stock Exchange in Germany, the neo-Renaissance town hall and the remains of St. Nikolas Church, a monument that reflects the destruction of Hamburg during WWII.
While visiting the renovated warehouse district, you will learn about the importance of the coffee trade in Hamburg and sample a cup of coffee in a roastery. A traditional German lunch follows at a nearby restaurant.
Continuing on, you will stop in St. Michael’s Church, a massive baroque masterpiece that can hold nearly 3,000 worshippers. For a historical perspective, you will see some of the oldest houses in Hamburg, a collection of timber-framed apartments from the 17th century, the Flakturm IV bunker from World War II and the former red-light district.
As a special treat, you will take an elevator down into the tunnel that runs beneath the Elbe River. A technical marvel when constructed in 1911, the tunnel accommodates pedestrians and vehicles. You will enjoy a glass of sparkling wine there before heading to your hotel to settle in and relax.
In the early evening, you will visit one of Hamburg’s craft beer breweries for an exclusive tour and beer tasting. Dinner follows in the brewery restaurant with your favorite beer from the tasting to complement the meal.
Please Note: Most shops are closed on Sundays.
DAY 2 – Monday, June 19, 2023
After breakfast at the hotel and check out, you will travel through the surrounding countryside to the medieval city of Lübeck. Founded in the 12th century, much of the Old Town remains unaltered.
Your first stop in Lübeck will be the Brahms Institute, which holds the world’s largest private collection of musical manuscripts, correspondence and other items from Hamburg-born composer Johannes Brahms. One of the institute’s researchers will present an enlightening lecture on Brahms, after which you will be free to explore the Brahms Museum on your own.
A walking tour of historical Lübeck follows, during which you will see some of the architectural treasures that earned the city a UNESCO World Heritage site designation. Free time will also be allotted for shopping and lunch on your own before returning to Kiel.
Note: you will encounter some cobbled areas on the walking tour.
The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program details and timings indicated below are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. Final itineraries with the most updated details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.
DAY 1
7:30am Disembark in Kiel and drive to Hamburg
8:00am Tour Hamburg with a local guide
10:30am Sample coffee at a roastery in the warehouse district
12:00pm Enjoy a traditional German meal at a restaurant
1:30pm Tour St. Michael Church and see the Krameramtsstuben houses
2:00pm View the TV Tower and pause for photos at bunker Flakturm IV
3:00pm See a statue of the Beatles at Reeperbahn
3:15pm Arrive at the Elb Tunnel for a sparkling wine reception
4:00pm Check into the hotel
6:00pm Transfer to the beer brewery
6:30pm Enjoy a brewery tour and beer tasting
7:30pm Dine at the brewery’s restaurant
9:00pm Depart for your hotel
9:30pm Arrive at your hotel
Overnight at Le Meridien Hotel or similar
DAY 2
7-8:00am Breakfast at the hotel and check out
8:30am Meet your guide and escort in the lobby
Scenic drive to the Hanseatic city of Lübeck
10:00am Visit the Brahms Institute in Lübeck
11:30am Walking tour of historical Lübeck
1:00pm Free time for shopping and lunch on your own
2:00pm Drive to Kiel
3:30pm Arrive at the port to re-embark the ship
Note: this program is relatively easy with regards to walking level. If a wheelchair is required it must fold and there must be a travel companion who can push the chair and assist with getting into and out of the coach.
Expected Weather
22 – 25° Celsius; 72-77° Fahrenheit
What to Bring
Weather-appropriate clothing, light jacket, comfortable walking shoes, umbrella, camera and sun protection
Local Currency
Euros (EUR). USD are not accepted. Credit cards are accepted at some shops.
Electricity
All power sockets in Hamburg provide a standard voltage of 230V with a standard frequency of 50Hz. Power adaptors are necessary. We recommend bringing a universal power adaptor.
Luggage
Bring one overnight bag per person and a coach carry-on.
Documents and Visa Requirements
Passports are required upon entry to Germany. Guests should check if their country of origin requires a Schengen Visa to enter Germany.
Hotel
Renaissance Hotel Hamburg
Große Bleichen, 20354 Hamburg
Phone: +49 40 349180
*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards, and you will be notified of the change. If you are not notified of any changes before your departure, then you will be staying at the hotel listed in this program.
Program Includes for guests:
•1 night at Le Meridien Hamburg – Deluxe Room
•Coach and escort service for the transfers to/from and city tour in Hamburg
•1 day tour guide in Hamburg
•Program entrance fees
•Sparkling wine reception at the Elb Tunnel, Day 1
•Brewery tour with beer tasting
•Lunch and dinner on day 1 including 1 local beer or 1 glass of house wine or 1 soft drink and water and coffee with each meal
Program Excludes for guests:
•Gratuities for drivers and guides
•Hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service
•Any meals or beverages not listed above
•Schengen Visa if required
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces that may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel and natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests that utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation.
All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations.
Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Mid-cruise overland programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty.
Discover Hamburg from multiple perspectives – while driving through downtown, cruising the city lakes and riding a trolley train around a fruit farm – for a definitive look at this UNESCO World Heritage site city.
DAY 1 – Sunday, June 18, 2023
Meet your transfer escort at the pier and drive to Hamburg, where you will experience the city on land and on board one of its famed Alster Lake boats. One of the historical highlights will be exploring the warehouse district in Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. As a contrast, you will see the Elbphilharmonie, a strikingly modern concert hall that overlooks the Elbe River.
You will be treated to another perspective of Hamburg while cruising the artificial lake system in the center of the city. It was created in medieval times as a reservoir to power the mills along the banks. Besides offering a wonderful view of the urban landscape and affluent residential neighborhoods, the Alster Lakes serve as a recreational area for private boaters, paddleboarders and joggers that follow the paths along the coastline.
After a traditional German lunch at a downtown restaurant, you will continue sightseeing on land. You can expect to see the neo-Renaissance town hall, Planten un Bloomen Park and the remains of St. Nikolas Church, a monument that reflects the destruction of Hamburg during WWII.
In time, you will check into the Renaissance Hotel Hamburg (or a similar hotel). The remainder of the day will be at your leisure with dinner on your own.
Please Note: Most shops are closed on Sundays
DAY 2 – Monday, June 19, 2023
After breakfast and checking out of the hotel, you will see other attractions in Hamburg, including the tunnel that spans the Elbe River. An elevator will take you down to the tunnel, where you will enjoy a glass of wine.
Afterwards, a ferry will transport you across the river so you can drive on to the fertile fruit-growing area known as Altes Land. It lies downstream from Hamburg and borders the banks of the Elbe River. You will tour one of the homesteads there that grows cherries, apples and pears. It will be a delightful experience as you will see the property from the comfort of a small, open-air trolley train.
Lunch follows, after which you will enjoy a panoramic drive through the beautiful countryside passing by typical Northern German villages on the way to Kiel.
The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program details and the timings indicated below are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. Final itineraries with the most updated details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.
DAY 1
7:30am Disembark in Kiel and meet your escort for the drive to Hamburg
9:00am Begin a comprehensive two-day tour of Hamburg
9:15am Sightseeing with a photo stop at the Elbphilharmonie concert hall
10:45am Cruise Alster Lake in a sightseeing boat
11:45am Transfer to a traditional German restaurant for lunch
1:00pm Continue sightseeing with photo stops at the town hall and St. Michael’s Church
3:00pm Check into the hotel for the evening
Consult the hospitality desk for dinner and sightseeing recommendations
Dinner on your own
Overnight at the Renaissance Hotel or similar
DAY 2
8am-9am Breakfast at the hotel and check out
9:00am Meet your guide and escort in the hotel lobby
9:15am Sightseeing tour through Hamburg
10:30am Board a public ferry and cross the Elbe River
10:45am Drive towards Altes Land
11:00am Tour a fruit farm and ride on the farm’s apple trolley train
12:30pm Lunch and dessert at the fruit farm
1:30pm Drive through the North German countryside
2:30pm Continue on to Kiel
4:00pm Arrive at the pier and re-board the ship
Expected Weather
22 – 25° Celsius; 72-77° Fahrenheit
What to Bring
Weather-appropriate clothing, light jacket, comfortable walking shoes, umbrella, camera and sun protection
Local Currency
Euros (EUR). USD are not accepted. Credit cards are accepted at some shops.
Electricity
All power sockets in Hamburg provide a standard voltage of 230V with a standard frequency of 50Hz. Power adaptors are necessary. We recommend bringing a universal power adaptor.
Luggage
Bring one overnight bag per person and a coach carry-on.
Documents and Visa Requirements
Passports are required upon entry to Germany. Guests should check if their country of origin requires a Schengen Visa to enter Germany.
Hotel
Renaissance Hotel Hamburg
Große Bleichen, 20354 Hamburg
Phone: +49 40 349180
*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards, and you will be notified of the change. If you are not notified of any changes before your departure, then you will be staying at the hotel listed in this program.
Program Includes for guests:
•1 night at the Renaissance Hotel Hamburg or similar, Deluxe room
•Local lunch each day including a beer or glass of house wine or a soft drink plus water and coffee 2 Days bus and escort service for the transfers to/from & city tour in Hamburg
•2 Days local tour guide in Hamburg
•Program entrance fees
•Hospitality desk on Day 1
Program Excludes for guests:
•Gratuities for drivers and guides
•Hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service
•Any meals or beverages not listed above
•Schengen Visa if required
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces that may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel and natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests that utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation.
All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations.
Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Mid-cruise overland programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty.
