CGH-Cruise Gate Hamburg Unveils New HafenCity Terminal: A Gateway to the Future of Cruise Travel

Cruise Gate Hamburg (CGH) has officially inaugurated its new Cruise Center HafenCity, situated in the vibrant HafenCity district of Hamburg. Following a soft-opening phase, the terminal is now fully operational, featuring two berths—one extending 345 meters and the other at 230 meters. This design accommodates both large cruise liners and smaller vessels. The terminal covers about 10,300 square meters spread over four levels, with two underground levels dedicated to taxi, car, and bus traffic, while the above-ground levels manage passenger boarding and disembarking. A subway station is integrated into the terminal along with parking for 1,500 vehicles.

Cruise ships arriving at HafenCity will glide past iconic landmarks such as the historic Landungsbrücken and Elbphilharmonie before reaching the terminal. The facility is conveniently located near various attractions, including Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier, Port des Lumières, LEGO Discovery Centre, Speicherstadt, and Miniatur Wunderland.

Dr. Peter Tschentscher, Hamburg’s First Mayor, emphasized that passengers could now easily access downtown and historical sites via subway, bus, or a short walk. This new terminal supports the city’s aim to integrate cruise tourism with urban life, enhancing access to retail, cultural experiences, and entertainment, while also promoting environmental initiatives.

By 2026, the HafenCity terminal will feature two high-voltage shore power connection points, allowing one large vessel and one smaller vessel to utilize electricity from shore during their stays. This move aligns with Hamburg’s broader environmental strategy, which mandates that all cruise ships capable of connecting to shore power will have to do so at the city’s terminals starting in 2027.

For 2025, the HafenCity terminal is set to handle 48 cruise calls, including 18 during its preliminary phase and an additional 30 before the year’s end. For 2026, 94 calls have been confirmed, contributing to an estimated total of around 300 cruise ship arrivals across Hamburg’s three permanent terminals (HafenCity, Steinwerder, and Altona).

This terminal marks Hamburg’s third permanent cruise facility and highlights the city’s commitment to improving both environmental standards and passenger experiences within its maritime operations.

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