The Grand Hamburg Cruise Days Parade: spectacular highlight on the Elbe on the second day of the event

The waterfront in Hamburg’s port was filled with 250,000 locals and guests from all around the world who had come to watch the highlight of the second day of the Hamburg Cruise Days event: the Grand Hamburg Cruise Days Parade. Five cruise liners, festively illuminated and accompanied by fireworks, music and numerous escort boats, sailed majestically down the Elbe. Actor Marek Erhardt provided a live commentary of the parade.

The AIDAperla led the parade, followed by MS EUROPA, Mein Schiff 4, the WORLD EXPLORER and MSC Preziosa. From 8 pm on, visitors were able to watch the elegant giants manoeuvring into place to take up their starting positions. At 9.15 pm on the dot, the parade commenced, and the cruise liners glided past the stunning backdrop of the port, which shone in a magical blue light thanks to the Blue Port Hamburg illuminations.

Despite isolated protests by anti-cruise activists, the second day of the event was very peaceful. The event organisers Uwe Bergmann and Katja Derow are highly satisfied with the first two days of the event: “There was a special, joyous mood at the event today, particularly during the parade. We are thrilled that so many people were able to experience these magical moments. This festival is unrivalled anywhere in the world, and the fact that it attracts such great interest and passion from our visitors is especially gratifying, also for our sponsors and partners.”

Four of the five ships departed Hamburg with the parade. The MSC Preziosa will remain in Hamburg until Sunday evening. On Sunday morning at approx. 8 am, the AIDAvita will arrive at the Cruise Center Altona. The river cruisers MS FREDERIC CHOPIN and MS SANS SOUCI will also be in the port throughout Sunday.

The shore programme of the Hamburg Cruise Days will continue on Sunday. Detailed information can be found in the programme guide, at the event itself or at www.hamburgcruisedays.de/en.

Visitors are urgently advised to use public transport to the get to the event: S-Bahn to Landungsbrücken, U3 to Baumwall, buses 111/112.