Cruise port Bremerhaven
Port information & tips for Bremerhaven
Bremerhaven is the tradition-steeped gateway to the world on the German North Sea coast, welcoming travelers with an impressive maritime backdrop. The city combines historic seafaring tradition with modern architecture and offers a unique flair right by the water thanks to the extensive Havenwelten. Outstanding attractions include the award-winning German Emigration Center, the Klimahaus Bremerhaven 8° Ost, and the German Maritime Museum. Cruise ships dock at the renowned Columbus Cruise Center Bremerhaven (CCCB), which boasts excellent infrastructure. From this historic terminal, guests can reach the Havenwelten and the city center, located about four kilometers away, comfortably by shuttle bus or taxi in around ten minutes, allowing for a relaxed shore excursion.
Bremerhaven, as a major cruise port on the North Sea, is excellently connected to the German transport network and offers efficient processing for travelers from the DACH region with the Columbus Cruise Center. The terminal is located directly at the mouth of the Weser and is very conveniently accessible thanks to clear signage within the city area and the port district.
Car
Via the A27 motorway, you can reach the Bremerhaven-Zentrum exit directly from the direction of Bremen or Cuxhaven and follow the signs to the Columbus Cruise Center. Spacious long-term parking areas and parking garages are available directly at the terminal, and specialized park-and-cruise providers also offer a convenient valet service directly at the ship's side.
Train
Bremerhaven Hauptbahnhof is perfectly connected to the ICE hub of Bremen via regional connections and offers travelers from all parts of Germany a relaxed way to arrive. From the station, you can easily reach the terminal with bus line 502 in the direction of Hafenhaus or use a taxi for the approximately six-kilometer route for a direct transfer to check-in.
Airplane & Shuttle
Bremen Airport (BRE) is located about 70 kilometers away and is served directly from many locations in the DACH region, with the travel time to the port being around 45 minutes. Many cruise lines organize exclusive shuttle buses on the day of embarkation from Bremen or from Hamburg Airport (HAM), which is about 140 kilometers away, and for a particularly relaxed start, a pre-cruise overnight stay in the hotels at the Havenwelten directly on the water is recommended.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will usually receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for your journey to the port and take into account that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The following also applies during the journey: For shore excursions, you should be back on board at least one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements and the notices on board, as berthing and departure times can change at short notice.
Bremerhaven, as a major cruise port on the North Sea, is excellently connected to the German transport network and offers efficient processing for travelers from the DACH region with the Columbus Cruise Center. The terminal is located directly at the mouth of the Weser and is very conveniently accessible thanks to clear signage within the city area and the port district.
Car
Via the A27 motorway, you can reach the Bremerhaven-Zentrum exit directly from the direction of Bremen or Cuxhaven and follow the signs to the Columbus Cruise Center. Spacious long-term parking areas and parking garages are available directly at the terminal, and specialized park-and-cruise providers also offer a convenient valet service directly at the ship's side.
Train
Bremerhaven Hauptbahnhof is perfectly connected to the ICE hub of Bremen via regional connections and offers travelers from all parts of Germany a relaxed way to arrive. From the station, you can easily reach the terminal with bus line 502 in the direction of Hafenhaus or use a taxi for the approximately six-kilometer route for a direct transfer to check-in.
Airplane & Shuttle
Bremen Airport (BRE) is located about 70 kilometers away and is served directly from many locations in the DACH region, with the travel time to the port being around 45 minutes. Many cruise lines organize exclusive shuttle buses on the day of embarkation from Bremen or from Hamburg Airport (HAM), which is about 140 kilometers away, and for a particularly relaxed start, a pre-cruise overnight stay in the hotels at the Havenwelten directly on the water is recommended.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will usually receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for your journey to the port and take into account that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The following also applies during the journey: For shore excursions, you should be back on board at least one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements and the notices on board, as berthing and departure times can change at short notice.
The Columbus Cruise Center Bremerhaven impresses with its modern facilities and offers passengers a pleasant transition from ship to shore. Thanks to the good connections, guests can quickly reach the most important sights of the seaside city.
Shuttle Buses and Public Transport
Bus line 502 runs regularly directly from the terminal to the city center and the main station, allowing for uncomplicated travel. In addition, many cruise lines provide comfortable shuttle buses that take visitors directly to the attractive Havenwelten in a short amount of time.
Taxi
Numerous taxis wait directly outside the terminal exit for arriving guests. The trip to the central museums or shopping areas takes about ten minutes and offers a particularly flexible and convenient way to plan your journey.
On Foot
Those who want to experience the maritime atmosphere intensely can reach the Havenwelten in about 50 to 60 minutes on foot. The path leads along the dike promenade and offers wide views of the Weser estuary as well as the busy ship traffic in the harbor area.
The best way to make the most of your shore excursion is to explore the Havenwelten area located directly on the Weser dyke, which perfectly combines maritime tradition and modern worlds of experience within short walking distances.
Havenwelten
This vibrant district directly on the Weser impresses with its striking architecture and offers a varied experience thanks to the combination of observation decks and first-class shopping opportunities. The extensive dyke promenade also invites you to take relaxed walks and connects the most important sights in a convenient way.
Deutsches Auswandererhaus
As one of Europe's most significant experience museums, this award-winning highlight takes you into the moving history of migration and is ideal for a deep insight into the maritime identity of the region. Thanks to its central location within the Havenwelten, a visit can be perfectly integrated into a well-rounded day of exploration.
Weser-Strandbad
This fine-sand beach directly on the dyke is the ideal place for a relaxing break and at the same time offers a first-class front-row seat for observing the passing ocean giants. In one of the typical beach chairs, you can enjoy the fresh sea air and the wide view over the Outer Weser in a relaxed maritime atmosphere.
Havenwelten Bremerhaven
The fascinating Havenwelten are easily reachable from the Columbus Cruise Center in about ten minutes by taxi or shuttle bus and offer world-class cultural highlights with the award-winning German Emigration Center and the Klimahaus 8° Ost. Thanks to the modern architecture and the direct location on the Weser dike, you can enjoy a unique maritime flair here and also find a first-class selection of cafés and restaurants with views of the water. Ideally, plan your visit for the morning to explore the impressive exhibitions at your leisure, and use the remaining time for a relaxed stroll along the dike promenade before returning comfortably to the ship about ninety minutes before departure.
The journey back to the Columbus Cruise Center can be easily arranged thanks to the excellent infrastructure in Bremerhaven, ensuring a relaxed and punctual arrival directly at the ship.
Taxi
Taxis are available for you at any time at the central stands in the Havenwelten, directly at Willy-Brandt-Platz as well as in front of the Atlantic Hotel Sail City. The ride to the terminal takes about ten minutes and brings you comfortably and directly to the check-in area.
Public Bus and Shuttle
Bus line 502 runs regularly from the Havenwelten stop as well as from the main railway station and takes you directly to the cruise terminal. In addition, many guests use the shuttle buses organized by the cruise lines, which depart from well-known meeting points in the city center and guarantee a worry-free return.
On Foot
A stroll along the Deichpromenade is easy to find thanks to clear signage and offers a wonderful view of the Weser. Since the walk from the Havenwelten to the Columbus Cruise Center is about four kilometers long, this route can be wonderfully planned as part of your sightseeing and leads you safely back to the port area.
