The Hamburg Cruise Days pur 2022 and Blue Port Hamburg invite you to experience the Port of Hamburg

Hamburg, 11 August 2022 – The Hamburg Cruise Days are the most spectacular cruise festival in the world. So, it is hardly surprising that tens of thousands of maritime enthusiasts make the pilgrimage to Hamburg’s port area every two years to experience in person this thrilling and moving event staged over land and water. After a forced break due to the pandemic, a “special edition” of the internationally acclaimed maritime event will now take place between 19 and 21 August 2022, making it the eighth time it has been held at the Port of Hamburg. On board once more – Michael Batz, with his Blue Port Hamburg light installation, and AIDA Cruises, the event’s premium partner. 

Celebrate the very best of cruising to faraway places at the Hamburg Cruise Days pur 
There are now only a few days left before the anchors are finally dropped for another Hamburg Cruise Days. From 19 to 21 August, visitors from all over the world will accept the invitation to lose themselves in the fascinating world of cruising. Five cruise ships, two exciting evening shows on the Elbe River, a varied programme of presentations by the individual cruise lines, a wide range of catering options, music and dancing – guarantee to make this an event to remember. Once again, Blue Port Hamburg will provide some unique sights as well as some spine-tingling moments as it bathes the Port of Hamburg in blue each evening from 19 to 28 August. 

“The Hamburg Cruise Days and Blue Port Hamburg are a unique interplay of light and water,” explains Michael Otremba, managing director of Hamburg Tourismus GmbH. “Hamburg residents and guests are getting ready to enjoy the special atmosphere that permeates the city, especially during the evening, when the ambiance of the port combines with the blue light of the art installation and the sight of the cruise ships to create a picture-perfect experience that is unique to Hamburg.” 

As it was impossible to make definite plans during the period of the pandemic, this year’s event will now take place under somewhat different conditions and on a smaller scale than in previous years. The addition of “pur” (“pure”) to the name of the event reflects this change. “Pur signifies that we are focusing this year on the core of what our event stands for: the fascination of cruising, the desire to travel, and a happy, relaxed social atmosphere,” says Katja Derow, co-organiser and managing director of redroses communications GmbH. 

The venue for this year’s event will therefore extend from the Landungsbrücken forecourt across the flood protection wall and new staircases to the Kehrwiederspitze. The more compact layout will also make it easier to plan for and respond to incidents and medical emergencies. 

The stars of the event: five cruise ships converge on the port 
During the three-day event, visitors to the port will be able to admire five very different cruise ships. AIDAprima, AIDAsol (both AIDA Cruises), Queen Mary 2 (Cunard Line), MSC Magnifica (MSC Cruises) and MS Otto Sverdrup (Hurtigruten) will all drop anchor in the Port of Hamburg on the weekend of the event. A description of the ships as well as their exact berthing times and locations is provided in the attached ship profiles as well as online at https://www.hamburgcruisedays.de/schiffe/. 

Blue like the sky and the oceans – Blue Port Hamburg by Michael Batz 
Blue Port Hamburg by light artist Michael Batz has been causing a sensation internationally since 2008. In 2022, the spectacular work of light art will again bathe the port in a magical blue, casting a spell over the city on the Elbe during and after the Hamburg Cruise Days pur. After the switch-on on Friday evening, 19 August, Blue Port Hamburg will dramatically illuminate buildings and landmarks from Steinwerder to the Elbphilharmonie each evening from 8pm to 1pm until 28 August, this year linking the port and the adjoining city centre. As in previous years, the light project will be implemented in two phases: during the Hamburg Cruise Days from 19 to 21 August as a “Blue Port Event” and then, from 22 to 28 August, as “Blue Port Art”. 

Royal launch on Friday – Queen Mary 2 performs the Blue Port Hamburg switch-on 
Expect a special, spine-tingling moment at the event kick-off on Friday evening when the Queen Mary 2, the Queen of the Seas, sets the mood for the Blue Port Hamburg art installation by light artist Michael Batz. The imposing cruise ship will set sail from the Steinwerder cruise terminal at 8pm and travel upriver to the Elbphilharmonie, where it will undertake a spectacular 360-degree turn to manoeuvre into position. At 9.15pm, the Queen Mary 2 will signal the start of Blue Port Hamburg with her “Typhon” whistle as she lights up in royal blue. The lighting will then gradually expand to cover dozens of buildings, bridges, ships and objects on the waterfront, all combining to form a unified work of art. The switch-on event will be accompanied by classical music introduced by Hamburg actor and presenter Marek Erhardt and light artist Michael Batz. When all the lights are on, the Queen of the Seas will sound a second Typhon whistle and leave the Port of Hamburg heading for New York. 

Rendezvous on the waves – “Pas de deux on blue” on Saturday evening 
Visitors can look forward to another weekend highlight at 10.35pm on Saturday 20 August when two imposing cruise ships rendezvous against the backdrop of Blue Port Hamburg. In an artistic staging, combining lights, drones and music, AIDAprima and MSC Magnifica will form the centrepieces of a multimedia spectacular staged between the Elbphilharmonie and the Landungsbrücken. Spectators of this pas de deux of two magnificent ships can expect to experience some impressive sights and an electric atmosphere. Light artist Michael Batz is also responsible for this production, with technical staging by the Hamburg agency JP Mobile Spaces. 

“The Pas de deux on blue, or the encounter of two divas beneath the blue canopy spread over Hamburg’s landmarks, is a homage to the city of Hamburg, to cruising and travelling – and to solidarity,” says Michael Batz. “We want this presentation to signal our confidence in the future, despite the current turbulent times.” 

The light show starts at 10.35pm and runs until 10.50pm, but there will be lots to see on the Elbe before the show starts. For example, AIDAprima will leave Steinwerder at around 9.15pm and move into its final position between the Elbphilharmonie and the Überseebrücke, while the MSC Magnifica will sail into the Elbe “just in time” and then position itself in front of the Landungsbrücken, bow to bow with AIDAprima. Visitors will have the best view of the action from the new flood protection wall or the Landungsbrücken. 

Professionally organised, despite the difficult circumstances 
Since they were first staged in 2008, the Hamburg Cruise Days have developed into one of the Hanseatic city’s most iconic events. It is an event unlike any other. Every two years, the Port of Hamburg becomes an action-packed platform for the world of cruising that attracts thousands of cruise enthusiasts from all over the world. The cruising community was therefore very disappointed when the event planned for September 2021 had to be cancelled due to the COVID pandemic. In March 2022, the organisers, the Hamburg-based agencies uba and redroses communications, together with the licensor Hamburg Tourismus, took the firm decision to stage the Hamburg Cruise Days again in August 2022. 

Uwe Bergmann, co-organiser and managing director of uba gmbh, explains, “We’re very proud that our team has succeeded not only in getting such a large event off the ground but also in professionally planning it at relatively short notice, despite the adverse circumstances. We wish to thank our licensor, Hamburg Tourismus, and our partners, especially our premium partner AIDA Cruises, for their confidence and their contributions to the success of this year’s Hamburg Cruise Days. 

Hard-working sponsors and a varied land-based programme 
A variety of partners and sponsors have chosen to take part in this year’s Hamburg Cruise Days. The organisers have also signed up AIDA Cruises as a premium partner for the fifth time in succession. “Reliable, trust-based partnerships have played a vital role, especially in these challenging times, both in rebuilding a sustainable cruise market for the future as well as in last year’s industry relaunch. This is why we didn’t hesitate to commit to being a premium partner of the Hamburg Cruise Days again this year. We are convinced that this cruise festival will send out a positive message of peaceful coexistence,” says Hansjörg Kunze, vice president communication & sustainability for AIDA Cruises. 

The individual themed areas:

AIDA Holiday World (Kehrwiederspitze)
AIDA Cruises will not only be making two of its fleet of 12 ships available for the event but will also be welcoming visitors on land to the “AIDA Holiday World” at Kehrwiederspitze, which features numerous attractions for young and old. These include competitions, activities for little buccaneers and some tasty treats from AIDA’s gourmet godmother Felicitas Then. Visitors can admire a faithful replica of an AIDAcosma show cabin, get travel advice, or simply relax in a deck chair with sand beneath their feet at the Beach Club, dreaming of the sea while waving to the ships in the port. 

New to the AIDA themed area – a digital, interactive treasure hunt on the topic of sustainability in cruising. Anyone wishing to have fun while learning about AIDA’s sustainability initiatives can take part in a quiz and win an AIDA travel voucher worth 3,000 euros. With the aid of QR location codes, competitors have to find five different locations and answer questions on a variety of sustainability topics, such as technology, optimising water consumption and reducing the use of plastic on board. 

MSC Cruises Promenade (new flood protection wall) 
The MSC Cruises Promenade offers an elegant chill-out atmosphere, excellent seafood, information and entertainment. Well-known DJs stationed along the new flood protection wall invite you to move to the rhythm of electro swing music. The food is served from authentic shipping containers. Visitors with the urge to travel will find all the advice and information they need in the MSC Lounge and can claim a 15 % Cruise Days discount if they book a cruise. And if you’re considering working for MSC Cruises, you’ll find all the help and information you need here. 

Time to discover – river and sea cruises with nicko cruises (new flood protection wall) 
nicko cruises specialise in trips on smaller ships to places off the beaten tourist track. They also encourage guests to spend more time in each destination so that they can experience them in more depth. Visit the cruise specialist’s stand to obtain professional travel advice. While you’re there, be sure to take part in the prize draws for a cabin on the WORLD VOYAGER’s anniversary cruise with star guest Annett Louisan or a trip for two on the VASCO DA GAMA from Lisbon to Cape Town. 

Cunard Show Truck (new flood protection wall) 
A real eye-catcher at the Hamburg Cruise Days is the Cunard show truck. With its theme “The subtle difference”, it invites visitors to make use of all their senses to learn about the unique Cunard experience, to take part in an exciting competition for a trip on the Queen Mary 2, and to take part in a game of shuffleboard with a view of the Elbe. 

König Pilsener Beer Garden (Landungsbrücken) 
Summer and sun means it’s beer garden time! König Pilsener is the event’s beverage partner and sponsor. The brewery invites visitors to its beer garden at the Landungsbrücken. Enjoying a cold König Pilsener and some tasty snacks is an ideal way to recharge your batteries before going on to the next attraction. 

Salsa Stage & Ahoy Hamburg (Landungsbrücken forecourt) 
The classic salsa sounds and good-natured humour of this themed area pull visitors in and invite them to move to the music. There will also be plenty of inspiration made in Hamburg: businesses and craftspeople from the Hanseatic city will show their wares and Hamburg restaurateurs will serve regional specialities. 

Bosch eBike Systems – Urban Roadshow (Hafentreppe) 
Bypass the traffic jams on your daily commute, relax in town without worrying where to park, carry your shopping home in comfort. Safe and sustainable, eBikes are flexible all-rounders when it comes to dealing with urban traffic. If you’re at least 18 years old and interested in test riding one of our innovative eBikes, head straight for the test track at the Bosch eBike Urban Roadshow at Hafentreppe. 

Live Shows Daily at the Hamburg Cruise Days Studio
To keep visitors informed of event highlights and other exciting cruise topics, media partners ROCK ANTENNE Hamburg and Studio Hamburg will be producing a live show every day in the Hamburg Cruise Days studio on the new flood protection wall. They are being sponsored by Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier, Cruise Gate Hamburg and Hamburg Cruise Net. Once a day, Sven Flohr will host an entertaining programme live from the port and provide exciting insights into what’s happening behind the scenes at the event. You can follow the livestream at www.hamburgcruisedays.de. 

#weilwirhamburgsind (because we’re Hamburg) 
Organisers Katja Derow and Uwe Bergmann are confident that the special Hamburg Cruise Days 2022 event will be as successful as it always has been. “This year,” she says, “many external factors have come together to make the Hamburg Cruise Days different in some respects from previous years. However, the things that have made this event so distinctive since it began in 2008 have not changed: the special atmosphere of the Port of Hamburg, people’s continuing enthusiasm for cruising, the many small moments visitors enjoy when strolling, having fun or relaxing, and the unique images that go out across the world from Hamburg.” 

Event times
Friday, 19 August: 2pm – midnight 
Saturday, 20 August: 2pm – midnight 
Sunday, 21 August: 2pm – midnight 

Transportation links
U-Bahn: Landungsbrücken, Baumwall (U3), Meßberg (U1), Überseequartier (U4) 
S-Bahn: Landungsbrücken (S1, S2, S3) and Stadthausbrücke (S1 and S3) 
Bus: 111 (Altona – HafenCity), 6 (from U-Bahn St. Pauli)