What to know before you go ashore at the Hamburg cruise port

Cruise ships visiting Hamburg dock at one of three main terminals: HafenCity, Altona or Steinwerder. Each occupies a different part of the waterfront, and your assigned terminal — determined by your ship and itinerary — affects how quickly you can reach the city's main attractions (and whether you'll need transportation to get there).

• HafenCity - The most central option, with the new terminal located within the Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier development. Speicherstadt and the Elbphilharmonie are nearby, while the city center is accessible on foot or by underground train. It's especially convenient if you enjoy exploring at your own pace.
• Altona - Located west of central Hamburg, this waterfront terminal puts you close to the city's working harbor. While walking all the way downtown isn't the most convenient option, the nearby Dockland ferry landing connects with Landungsbrücken on route 62. From there, you can continue sightseeing or transfer to the city's rail network.
• Steinwerder - This large facility accommodates some of the biggest cruise ships visiting Hamburg. Set among industrial docks on the opposite side of the Elbe from central Hamburg, it requires transportation into town. Local buses connect with rail services, although a taxi or organized transfer can simplify the journey.

Your cruise documents will confirm your assigned terminal. Check that information before arranging independent transportation.

Sustainability at Hamburg's cruise terminals

Hamburg is taking steps to make its busy harbor cleaner, starting with how ships are powered while in port. All three cruise terminals now offer shore power, allowing compatible vessels to plug into land-based electricity instead of running their onboard generators. Altona led the way in 2016, and Hamburg has since expanded the technology to Steinwerder and HafenCity. The result is fewer emissions and less engine noise, which makes the waterfront around the terminals cleaner and quieter for guests.

Getting around Hamburg is fairly straightforward, thanks to a well-connected network of trains, buses and harbor ferries. Your best transportation option depends on where your ship docks, so keep these tips in mind when planning your day ashore:

• Public transportation - The Überseequartier U-Bahn station connects HafenCity with downtown Hamburg, while ferry route 62 carries guests from Altona to Landungsbrücken along the Elbe. Steinwerder has local bus connections, including route 256, although service schedules may be more limited.
• Taxis - Available at the cruise terminals, taxis offer a convenient alternative if you'd rather travel directly to your destination without navigating transfers.
• Airport connections - If you're beginning or ending your cruise in Hamburg, the S1 train connects Hamburg Airport (HAM) with the city's main railway station in approximately 25 minutes. You'll need an additional connection or taxi to reach your terminal.
• Accessibility - Many U-Bahn and S-Bahn stations have elevators, but some older waterfront streets have uneven cobblestones. Check your route in advance if you have mobility considerations.
• Weather and essentials - Hamburg can be breezy and damp even in summer, so bring a waterproof jacket and comfortable walking shoes. Many places accept credit cards, but some small shops don’t, so carry a few euros for small purchases and public restrooms, which can cost 50 cents to €1.

Hamburg also provides access to Germany's capital. The train journey generally takes approximately three hours each way on Princess's chartered rail services, leaving time for guided sightseeing before returning to the ship.

If Berlin is high on your travel wish list, this is your chance to experience its remarkable culture and fascinating past firsthand as part of your European cruise.

• Best of Berlin by Chartered Train - Explore Germany's capital on a guided motor coach tour that takes you through the city's turbulent 20th-century past. See the Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie (the famous Cold War-era crossing between East and West Berlin). You’ll also stop to photograph surviving sections of the Berlin Wall and Bebelplatz, where the Nazis staged a mass book burning in 1933 — one of the early acts of cultural repression that marked their rise to power.
• Scenic Berlin by Chartered Train - Discover Berlin from both land and water, beginning with a narrated city drive past landmarks such as the Reichstag, home to Germany's parliament. Following a traditional German lunch, board a boat for a Spree River cruise that offers a fresh perspective on the capital's architecture and waterfront neighborhoods. The excursion also includes free time to browse the shops and cafés within the interconnected courtyards of Hackesche Höfe.

Berlin involves considerably more travel than sightseeing within Hamburg, so these excursions are best suited to guests eager to experience the capital's history in a single organized day. Confirm availability and timing for your particular sailing before making plans.

Whether you stay close to the Elbe or travel inland to Berlin, there's much to discover during your time in northern Germany. So find a European sailing that includes Hamburg and start planning what you'd most like to experience.