Cruises from Kiel

Kiel is an arrival and departure point for many cruise ships on their way to Northern Europe. This includes cruises to Norway and the Norwegian fjords, as well as Scandinavia and the Baltic. Cruise lines including AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, and others all provide departures from Kiel.

When it comes to Baltic ports, the Port of Kiel is among the most accessible. Kiel is a port city on the eastern end of the Kiel Canal and on both sides of the Kiel Fjord, an inlet of the western Baltic Sea. The port’s convenient position and proximity to major highways and railroads all contribute to its popularity. Kiel also benefits from being the starting point of the Kiel Canal, the most heavily traveled man-made waterway in the world. There are a combined six docks for large vessels at the Norwegenkai, Schwedenkai, and Ostseekai Terminals. These docks are conveniently located close to the train station in the heart of downtown.

Kiel, Germany

Kiel

Kiel has a rich history in the maritime industry, but these days the city is more known for its lively student population, casual atmosphere, and urban vibe. The city’s picturesque location on the Kiel Fjord, its contemporary and roomy downtown, and Danische Strasse, a street in the heart of Kiel full of buildings from the late 19th century that exude nautical charm, all contribute to its unique ambiance. The city has a long history of great music, beautiful scenery, and delicious cuisine.

Kiel’s VRK-operated bus and ferry system is among the best in Germany. The taxi service is satisfactory, if somewhat pricey. There are several locations to rent bicycles in Kiel due to the city’s low elevation. Cycling from Kiel to Laboe, taking the boat to Strande, and then riding back to Kiel is a very doable day trip. A guided walking tour of the city allows you access to most of these sights and many other gorgeous and magnificent places.

Kiel’s downtown is full of life, notably around the popular Danische Strasse shopping district and the Holstenstrasse pedestrian mall. At this site, it is possible to transform the opera house, Kiel Castle, the Kiel Fjords, and even the Howaldt shipyards into breathtaking stages. The city features shipping and ethnography museums, and the Institute of Marine Biology contains an aquarium.

Kiel Week

Kieler Woche (Kiel Week), an international regatta and cultural festival, draws the majority of visitors at the end of June. Every hour of the week is jam-packed with something exciting, with boat races for many different categories leaving from the Schilksee harbor.

The German submarine fleet

Kiel was the hub for the German submarine fleet during WWII, and now you can visit the city and explore the sole surviving German submarine from the war, the U-995. The 280-foot-tall tower at the Navy Memorial’s observation deck provides breathtaking panoramas of the surrounding area. There’s a museum and memorial hall underground honoring the lives of sailors of all nations who lost their lives in both World Wars.

Kiel Canal

The Kiel Canal, located in Kiel, is the longest and busiest artificial canal in the world. It stretches 100 kilometers from the Baltic to the North Sea. The canal can be cycled in its entirety or as part of a day excursion; the bike route runs alongside the water, providing an up-close encounter with massive container ships. The route is well-suited for bicyclists, with plenty of lodging options, points of interest, and eating establishments along the way.

Norwegian Fjords, Baltic and Scandinavia cruise from Kiel

No matter which route you choose to take on your cruise through Northern Europe, you will see recognizable sites and scenery along the way. There are a variety of fascinating cruises available around Northern Europe that are suitable for almost any traveler. Find cruises to destinations such as Norway’s Fjords, the Baltic Sea, and Scandinavia that depart from the cruise terminal in Kiel and choose the best itinerary.

Norway and Norwegian Fjords

Kiel is also a great place to start a cruise up Norway’s west coast toward the North Cape to the land of midnight sun and majestic Northern lights. Those embarking on cruises from Copenhagen can visit places like Stavanger, Haugesund, Olden, Flam, Alesund, Trondheim, Leknes, Eidfjord, Honningsvag, Kristiansand, Geiranger, Hellesylt, the Lofoten Islands, and many more. Most visitors come to see the fjords, two of which—the Geirangerfjord and the Nærøyfjord—are on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The longest fjord is Sognefjord, and the Hardangerfjord is well-known for its cherry and apple trees. Nordfjorden is the sixth-longest fjord in Norway, so it’s no surprise that it also attracts many cruise ships.

Baltic Sea

Denmark, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Russia, Finland, and Sweden are the nine countries that are located on either side of the Baltic Sea. It is easy to arrange a cruise from Kiel with stop to any of the Baltic capitals, such as Helsinki, Tallinn, Riga, Stockholm, or St. Petersburg. There are also stops in Baltic Sea cities like Kiel, Warnemunde, Gdansk, Muuga, Klaipeda, and Visby. on routes that leave from Kiel.

Scandinavia

The term Scandinavia in local usage covers the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. The cruise may make stops in many locations in Scandinavia, including Copenhagen, Aarhus, Skagen, Gothenburg, and Helsingborg.

Explore cruises out of Kiel

Ship schedule from Kiel includes Northern Europe, Norway and Norwegian Fjords, Scandinavia and Baltic Sea.