Hamburg, 10 September 2017 – Following a slightly rainy start to the event on Friday, the weather picked up on the second day of the Hamburg Cruise Days 2017 – attracting the usual number of visitors to the harbour. The highlight of the day was the Grand Hamburg Cruise Days Parade – the biggest in the history of the event, even without one of the originally planned six cruise ships …
The Hamburg Cruise Days switched into top gear on Saturday: around 250,000 visitors flocked to the event site to celebrate the highlight of the day: the Grand Hamburg Cruise Days Parade.
Bathed in very welcome sunshine and the wonderful waterside ambiance of the harbour, visitors watched as the gigantic ships manoeuvred on the Elbe to get into position for the Grand Parade. Finally, at 21:15, the formation was complete and the parade started. Escorted by barges, sailing vessels and passenger ships, the AIDAprima, Norwegian Jade, EUROPA 2, EUROPA and MSC Preziosa majestically sailed down the Elbe against the backdrop of the illuminated Blue Port Hamburg. Each ship was waved off on its journey with its own firework display and rousing music.
There was a minor disappointment in an otherwise magnificent display: instead of six ships, only five were able to take part. Due to a technical problem, Mein Schiff 3 was unable to sail in the parade as a rope had become entangled in the propeller as it was departing. “We are very sorry for the cruise line and all the passengers who were so looking forward to being a part of the parade”, said organisers Katja Derow and Uwe Bergmann. “The parade was still magnificent. The spectators on land and at home in front of their screens were treated to a stunning display. Hamburg again revealed its most beautiful side in a thrilling experience. ”
MSC Preziosa returned to the port after the parade and docked at Steinwerder. Together with Silver Wind, which returns to Überseebrücke on Sunday morning, she will be bidding farewell to Hamburg on Sunday evening. Another highlight for the last day of the event is the harbour cruise by Katharina von Bora at 16:00.
The second day of the event remained peaceful and the police reported no incidents.
10 September 2017
