It was our first time cruising into and out of Hamburg on the Elbe. It's true that parts of the…read moreriver in that area are industrial, but most of the scenery was quite breathtaking. Just seeing all the unique & cool architecture along the left and right bank really added to the whole experience. There are sandy beaches, bike lanes, and farms with sheep along the river.
On the way out, we were able to see the Bismarck Monument and Bunker St. Pauli in the distance. We saw the Heinrich Hertz Tower that looks like a futuristic Jetsons building. I wish I could name them all. I'll just post pictures instead.
Here's a fun fact. Did you know Michael Jackson used to visit this area often? He's very much remembered for helping the flood victims along the Elbe. They've even honored him at the Stage Theatre with the Michael Jackson Musical. He was very fond of Hamburg, and I can totally see why.
The river runs all the way from the mouth of the North Sea to Czechia. There are river cruises and ferries that can take you further past Hamburg depending on the water levels. It can become impassable in dry weather conditions. Just something to think about before scheduling a cruise.
We arrived on a rainy day for an overnight port stay. It was sunny the following morning. However, there was one big storm cloud that rained icy hail on us for a couple of minutes during the sailaway. That was very memorable. Haha! Just be aware that you can experience all kinds of weather conditions throughout the day in the month of May. It was a fun time full of beautiful scenery on the Elbe.
