Cruise Gate Hamburg (CGH) set a new record with 280 calls in the 2022 cruise season, ending it with a positive outlook.
According to a press release, so far Hamburg has received 280 calls by 49 different ships from 20 cruise lines, ten maiden calls, one christening and roughly 750,000 passengers as well as 41 calls by river cruise ships.
“After two years of pandemic-related restrictions, cruise shipping in Hamburg has made a strong comeback,” commented Simone Maraschi, managing director of CGH.
“At 280 calls the 2022 cruise season has seen the most calls ever at Hamburg, surpassing even pre-pandemic levels (2019: 210 calls). We are very happy about the high demand for cruises departing from Hamburg. For us, it is proof that the enormous efforts and the adaptability demonstrated by the entire industry during the COVID-19 pandemic are truly appreciated.”
CGH is expecting an even better cruise season in 2023. The port expects another record number of calls (283) and a further 37 calls by river cruise ships.
Apart from that, cruise fans in Hamburg can look forward to multiple entertainment events including eight maiden calls scheduled for 2023 as well as a celebration of the 834th port anniversary.
Hamburg is also working on strengthening its position as one of Europe’s most sustainable ports.
Jens Meier, CEO of the Hamburg Port Authority AöR, said: “Ports play a crucial role in decarbonization and keeping the air clean. Shore-side electricity enables us to significantly reduce ships’ emissions while they are docking at the Port of Hamburg.
“By rapidly expanding its shore power facilities, the Port of Hamburg shows its commitment to protecting the environment and takes account of the expectations Hamburg’s citizens have of a city port. We are looking forward to being one of Europe’s first ports to offer both cruise ships and container vessels shore-based power at the berth in 2025.”
In 2022, 30 cruise ships relied on the Altona shore power station. In 2023, 12 more ships will undergo integration tests so they can become certified and use the shore power station while they’re docked.
The Carnival Jubilee is set to sail from Galveston, Texas, next year and Carnival Cruise Line’s third cruise ship to be powered by liquified natural gas (LNG) got its first taste of Texas today with the keel laying ceremony at Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany., according to a press release.
Wearing cowboy-shaped hard hats, Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy was joined by Meyer Werft Managing Director Bernard Meyer and Carnival’s Senior Vice President of Newbuilds Ben Clement, among others, to celebrate the construction milestone by placing coins under a 375-ton keel block.
The coins signify good luck for the ship and will remain under its foundation as the structure is built. the company said.
One of the ship’s lucky coins is an official ship coin. It commemorates an integral part of Carnival history while celebrating its future by showing the Carnival Jubilee alongside the original MS Jubilee from 1986. The coins will later be placed in a special compartment near Carnival Jubilee’s mast as permanent fixtures of the ship.
“Our plans for Texas are as big as the state itself, and we’re looking forward to bringing guests aboard our third Excel-class ship that will be just as magnificent as her sister ships Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration. I’m ecstatic to be here for this important moment and witness construction now officially underway. Carnival Jubilee will significantly enhance our offerings from Galveston as the industry leader in the Texas cruise market and an important contributor to the Galveston tourism economy,” said Duffy.
The Carnival Jubilee will be the first Carnival Cruise Line ship built in Papenburg, Germany. Meyer Werft has already built four other LNG-powered ships for other cruise lines under Carnival Corporation.
“We are pleased to take another symbolic step in the construction of Carnival Jubilee with the keel laying. The Meyer team will once again produce an advanced and innovative cruise ship that will provide a great vacation for millions of passengers,” said Meyer.
With 75 per cent of its construction finished, the 208,000-ton vessel remains at the building dock of the former MV Werften in Wismar, Germany. Previously owned by Genting, the shipyard has changed hands recently and is now controlled by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems.
After six months in limbo, the Crystal Endeavor continues to wait for a decision regarding its future.
The 2021-built expedition vessel is currently anchored off Gibraltar and has been recently associated with Silversea Cruises. So far, however, no official announcement has been made by any of the involved parties.
World Dream Previous Brand: Dream Cruises Year Built: 2017 Capacity: 3,400 guests Location: Singapore Anchorage Status: Awaiting decision/buyer
Another ship waiting for a decision regarding its future, the World Dream remains anchored off Singapore.
Crystal Serenity Previous Brand: Crystal Cruises Year Built: 2003 Capacity: 980 guests Location: Enroute to Trieste, Italy Status: Sold to A&K Travel Group
After spending several months arrested in the Bahamas, the Crystal Serenity was auctioned in June and is now sailing to Italy.
Along with its sister ship Crystal Symphony, the 2003-built vessel was acquired by A&K Travel Group. The new owners, who also bought the Crystal Cruises brand and other assets, plan to relaunch the luxury company in 2023.
Crystal Symphony Previous Brand: Crystal Cruises Year Built: 1995 Capacity: 848 guests Location: Enroute to Trieste, Italy Status: Sold to A&K Travel Group
Previously arrested in the Bahamas, the Crystal Symphony is ailing in Italy following a judicial auction.
Explorer Dream Previous Brand: Dream Cruises Year Built: 1999 Capacity: 2,000 guests Location: Port Klang, Malaysia Status: Awaiting decision/buyer
The Explorer Dream is currently anchored off Port Klang, in Malaysia. Formerly operated by Dream Cruises, the 1999-built vessel continues to wait for a decision regarding its future.
After spending most of the pandemic offering domestic cruising in Taiwan, the former SuperStar Virgo arrived in Malaysia in March.
SuperStar Aquarius Previous Brand: Star Cruises Year Built: 1993 Capacity: 1,529 guests Location: Southeast Asia Status: Expected to be scrapped
After being re-flagged and renamed in May, the ex-SuperStar Aquarius is currently named Arius, under St. Kitts and Nevis flag.
Expected to be scrapped along with other former Star Cruises ships, the vessel left Southeast Asia in May for what was believed to be its final trip. Instead of sailing to a ship-breaking yard, however, the 1993-built vessel sailed to Sri Lanka, where, according to the local media, it will stay laid up for the next month.
SuperStar Gemini Previous Brand: Star Cruises Year Built: 1992 Capacity: 1,472 guests Location: Port Klang, Malaysia Status: Expected to be scrapped
Like its sister ship, the former SuperStar Gemini arrived in Sri Lanka recently for a month-long layup.
Also expected to be scrapped, the 30-year-old cruise ship saw a change of name and registry as well, now called Gem under the flag of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Star Pisces Previous Brand: Star Cruises Year Built: 1991 Capacity: 1,384 guests Location: Southeast Asia Status: To be scrapped
The Star Pisces is set to be dismantled in India. After leaving Southeast Asia in late May, the vessel arrived in Alang earlier this month and is expected to be beached soon.
Previously operated by the Star Cruises brand, the former cruise ferry used to offer one-night cruises departing from the port of Hong Kong.
The Taipan Previous Brand: Star Cruises Year Built: 1989 Capacity: 64 guests Location: Penang, Malaysia Status: Sold to OM Ships
Previously Genting’s smallest ship, The Taipan was sold to OM Ships in May. The German religious organization’s famous plans to transform the 1989-built vessel into a missionary ship and floating bookshop.
Before entering service for its new owners, the 32-cabin mega yacht is set to undergo a major transformation in a yet-to-be-named shipyard in Asia.
SuperStar Libra Previous Brand: Star Cruises/MV Werften Year Built: 1988 Capacity: 1,494 guests Location: Aliaga, Turkey Status: Beached for scrapping
The SuperStar Libra is now being dismantled in Turkey after being beached for scrapping at the Aliaga Ship Breaking Yard in May.
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