Germany Cruise from Kiel to Hamburg — 12 Days

11 nights · Germany · Departs Kiel (Germany) · Visiting Gdynia-Gdansk, Klaipeda, Riga, Tallinn, Helsinki, Stockholm, Kalmar, Copenhagen, Kiel Canal, Hamburg · Aboard Hapag-Lloyd Cruises on the ms Europa 2

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ms Europa 2
Kiel Cruise Port: Shore Excursions & Expert Guide Gdansk Cruise Port: Shore Excursions & Expert Guide historic building facade cobblestone street Riga Cruise Port
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Image courtesy of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises ©

Cruise lineHapag-Lloyd Cruises
Shipms Europa 2
Duration11 nights
Port calls11
Departures1 sailings
Year built2013
Guests516
Cabins251
Crew370
Length225 m
Beam26 m
Cruising speed21.0 kn
  1. Day 1

    Kiel, Germany

    Kiel faces the Baltic at the western end of Kiel Fjord, where Germany’s great ship canal begins. This working maritime city rewards a waterfront stroll, with ferries, sailboats and cargo ships sharing the harbor. From central cruise berths, the old town, St. Nicholas Church and City Hall are within easy reach. For a closer look at naval history, take the short trip to Laboe’s memorial and preserved U-boat.

  2. Day 3

    Gdynia-Gdansk, Poland

    Gdańsk pairs a Hanseatic waterfront with a history that shaped modern Europe. Follow the Royal Route to the Long Market, where Neptune’s Fountain anchors the old town. St Mary’s Church rises above streets rebuilt after the Second World War. At the European Solidarity Centre, learn how the 1980 shipyard strike helped weaken communist rule. Amber shops and waterfront cafés offer an easy pause between landmarks.

  3. Day 4

    Klaipeda, Lithuania

    Klaipėda is Lithuania’s Baltic port, where maritime history meets an unexpectedly handsome old town. Its half-timbered warehouses and narrow lanes recall centuries of trade under Prussian rule. Ferries cross the lagoon to the Curonian Spit, a UNESCO-listed sweep of dunes, pine woods and fishing villages. Stay in town for museums and cafés, or make the crossing for a striking day outdoors.

  4. Day 5

    Riga, Latvia

    Riga rewards a day ashore with a compact UNESCO-listed Old Town and one of Europe’s richest Art Nouveau districts. Begin at the House of the Blackheads, then follow cobbled lanes to Riga Cathedral and the riverfront. Across the canal, Alberta Street displays ornate façades that made the city a landmark of early twentieth-century design. For local life, browse Riga Central Market, set in former Zeppelin hangars near the Daugava.

  5. Day 6

    Tallinn, Estonia

    Step ashore in Tallinn, where medieval towers rise above a Baltic capital built for curious walkers. Within the UNESCO-listed Old Town, cobbled lanes lead to merchant houses, church spires and Town Hall Square. Climb Toompea for views across red roofs and the Gulf of Finland; explore cafés and galleries beyond the walls. Tallinn rewards a day on foot, with history close at hand and a distinctly modern pulse.

  6. Day 7

    Helsinki, Finland

    Helsinki is a compact capital where Nordic design, sea air and neoclassical grandeur meet within easy reach of the harbour. Begin at Senate Square, framed by the white Helsinki Cathedral and elegant buildings shaped by architect Carl Ludvig Engel. At the Old Market Hall, Finnish rye bread, smoked fish and seasonal berries offer a taste of local life. With time to spare, take the ferry to Suomenlinna, a UNESCO-listed sea fortress spread across six islands.

  7. Day 8

    Stockholm, Sweden

    Stockholm rewards the curious with a capital spread across 14 islands, where Lake Mälaren meets the Baltic Sea. From the waterfront, ferries and bridges lead to Gamla Stan’s narrow lanes, the Royal Palace, and the Nobel Prize Museum. Visit the Vasa Museum to see a 17th-century warship recovered from the harbor. Then pause for coffee in a city where water, design, and history shape everyday life.

  8. Day 10

    Kalmar, Sweden

    Kalmar offers a rare blend of Baltic calm and consequential history. At the harbor, Kalmar Castle’s Renaissance towers rise above the waterfront. The Kalmar Union, linking Denmark, Norway and Sweden, was established here in 1397. Nearby, cobbled streets and timber-framed houses preserve the character of the old town. A six-kilometre bridge leads to Öland, with open landscapes and a different pace. Kalmar’s compact centre makes its history easy to explore on foot.

  9. Day 11

    Copenhagen, Denmark

    Copenhagen is best explored at street level, where royal history meets modern design. At Nyhavn, colorful harbor-front houses frame canal tours; nearby Amalienborg Palace is the monarch’s winter residence. Christiansborg Palace combines Denmark’s parliament with historic royal rooms, while Christianshavn’s canals reveal a quieter side. Pause for smørrebrød, the open-faced rye-bread staple, and explore the city’s design shops before returning to port.

  10. Day 12

    Kiel Canal, Germany

    At the Kiel Canal, Germany’s working waterway becomes the day’s unfolding spectacle. The 61-mile (98-kilometre) passage links the North Sea and Baltic, crossing Schleswig-Holstein and saving ships a long voyage around Denmark. From the deck, watch freighters pass close by as green banks and quiet farms slide past. At Brunsbüttel and Kiel-Holtenau, lock chambers reveal the precision behind this busy maritime shortcut.

  11. Day 12

    Hamburg, Germany

    Hamburg rewards visitors who look beyond its grand harbor to discover a city shaped by trade and water. From the Speicherstadt warehouses and canals to the Elbphilharmonie’s sweeping river views, Hamburg pairs historic character with modern ambition. Stroll around the Rathaus and lakeside paths, then sample fresh fish or coffee in a city with enduring maritime energy. Allow time for a harbor ferry: it offers a memorable view of Hamburg’s working waterfront.

ms Europa 2 Cruises

Published September 6, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard

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