German Waterways

[jimsstandin]

Looking at this cruise on Balmoral April 2019, was wondering if anyone has done this and would recommend or have any advice. What type of crossing should we expect going from Port of Tyne to Germany, and what to expect on the Kiel canal.

[edinburgher]

Please ignore this reply as I posted it in the wrong thread and don't know how to delete the full post.

 

Go to post #2.

 

We docked there in June this year.

 

Yes, you can walk out, only a short distance to the gate, and only the usual security gate check of your cruise card on the return.

 

Sorry, cannot comment on taxis as we left on foot heading for the tram into Bremen centre and didn't look to see if there were any dockside or outside the gate. I do know that if there are none at the dock you are unlikely to find one early morning at the shopping centre car parks as they were deserted when we left around 0900 as it doesn't open until around 1000 am.

 

We took tram #3 from stop Use Akschen to Domsheide, the centre of town, but for train stations it would probably be different or involve a change to a different line. That I do not know. The tram stop is a brisk 10-15 minute walk from the gangway. The ticket machine on the platform did not work that day, but there were machines inside the tram and locals can help you buy tickets. Each station is shown on a moving screen inside the tram, although returning, the tram practically emptied as it is the same Use Akschen stop for the shopping centre. You will also see the monster building next to the dock from some distance away, on the left as you head towards the dock and shopping centre.

 

 

Another option is that your ship may offer shuttle buses although they may not start early enough in the day for you. You would need to check.

 

You could maybe research your Bremen to Bremerhaven options using a site such as RometoRio which we find initially helpful as it usually gives options by various means of travel and approx travel time. It should point you in the direction of the train companies which run that route and you can then plan using their websites.  I would also check with Tourist Info offices in either town as they could probably advise better then I can, and could also tell you the approximate journey time and route from Use Akschen to whichever stop you need for the train. BSAG is the local public transport provider. You could also contact local taxi companies for an estimate of the cost of a taxi from port to train station.

 

Hope some of this is useful even if it doesn't fully answer your questions.

Edited October 16, 2018 by edinburgher

[edinburgher]

 

 

 

We did this itinerary in June,  round trip Rosyth. I don't remember the crossing to Germany as we sailed from Rosyth in the evening and were asleep overnight, but coming back it was open sea so a little windy and just a wee bit rocky. Otherwise we were pretty calm and sheltered and made full use of the top deck on Balmoral as it is very comfortable up there with good views. If unfamiliar with the Balmoral you should find photos online. We really liked the ship. Your weather could be completely different.

 

Only one lock. The towns were interesting to visit with the exception of Kiel where we found almost nothing of interest although there is a lovely promenade walkway. Bremen was lovely, also compact so everything very easy to walk to, but our favourite day was Rostock in the morning, lunch back onboard, and Warnemunde in the afternoon. Easy to DIY both as you dock within 5 mins walk of the train station for local trains into Rostock, and Warnemund starts at the same station, just walk through the station and you are in it. For Hamburg you dock next to a ferry station and there is also a bus stop right at the gate.

 

The Kiel Canal transit (twice) was really mixed. Parts of it are narrow with very pastoral scenery and being on an ocean going ship rather than a lower river boat means that you are high up and can see long distances over the trees alongside the canal. Passing under some of the bridges with inches to spare is an experience if you are on the top deck! Other parts were very industrial, and other parts were interesting as we passed very close to boatyards where super yachts were being constructed, or ferries, even lifeboats for cruise ships, all manner of things. You also pass the Airbus final assembly plant and you will see some belonging to several airlines at different final stages. Arriving into Hamburg is quite a sight. First you pass beaches and waterfront homes, then an incredible number of docks with cranes and loading and unloading activity. You can actually take sightseeing boat trips around the port/docks to see them but you will see them from the ship.

 

Hope some of this helps you decide.

[jimsstandin]

Thanks for your detailed response, sounds interesting.  Have decided to give it a try,  just booked a cabin on Lido deck.  

[Eglesbrech]

The crossing from Rosyth was fine, flat calm. We have usually been very lucky crossing the North Sea but like every sea crossing it is luck. The transit up the Keil canal is dead flat calm.

 

Bremen is really nice but be advised you are still out of the city centre even on a small Fred ship and need a shuttle in. The berth we went to was near a large shopping centre. There is lots to see and do in Bremen centre, great shopping and some really nice places to eat.

 

Keil is a bit more rough and ready but the ship docked within walking distance, just follow the blue line to the town centre. 

 

Warnemund is is an easy DIY as you are right in the centre. Lots of lovely local shops and bars etc.

 

Hamburg was a shuttle port. Again lots to see and do DIY. You can get a HOHO bus near the shuttle drop off, you can book a round trip on the lake or a tour of the Town Hall which is fascinating (the English speaking tour was 11am but we booked it at 9.30 as it is busy, only 5 euros and well worth it). We also found a lovely beer Keller with the traditional foods, beers in stines and staff is lederhosen and drindel. There is a lovely department store on the water front with a great choice of food stops and champagne bar etc - Alsterhause.

 

We enjoyed this trip