Kiel Canal, Kiel Bay and Flensburg Fjord

This is where you board:

Hamburg, Germany's "Gateway to the World," fascinates visitors with its blend of maritime history, modern architecture, and vibrant city life. Among its most outstanding attractions is the Port of Hamburg, one of Europe's largest seaports, best experienced on a harbor cruise. The Elbphilharmonie concert hall in the HafenCity district impresses with its exceptional acoustics and spectacular architecture. The historical journey continues in the Speicherstadt, the world's largest contiguous warehouse complex and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hamburg residents and visitors alike find relaxation on the Inner and Outer Alster lakes. Museums, theaters, and the Planten un Blomen park complete the diverse offerings. From 1911, Hamburg was the first home port of the Eye of the Wind, which at that time bore the name Friedrich.

Travel description
The journey takes you right through the heart of Schleswig-Holstein, along verdant banks and under railway bridges that we seem to almost touch with our masthead. This gives you time to simply relax on deck or in the comfortable saloon during this scenic cruise, browse the extensive onboard library, read a book, explore the ship, and enjoy delicious meals from the galley.

For your enjoyment: A river cruise through the Kiel Canal

After almost 100 kilometers, we reach the eastern canal locks and, immediately beyond, the Kiel Fjord. Mooring in the lock chambers is always a special experience. Around 40,000 ships pass through the Kiel Canal (NOK), also known internationally as the "Kiel Canal" among sailors, each year – ship enthusiasts can look forward to numerous photo opportunities. The canal was opened in 1895 by Wilhelm II; the construction costs were later raised through a sparkling wine tax introduced by the emperor.

A stopover is possible at Kiel's Tiessenkai. During the short walk to the small Holtenau lighthouse, you can experience a nostalgic harbor atmosphere – old cargo sailing ships and schooners are often moored at the quay here, creating a maritime flair.

Hoist the sails! on the Kiel Fjord

For safety reasons, passage through the Kiel Canal is usually made entirely under engine power and without sails. On the Elbe River between Hamburg and Brunsbüttel, it may be possible to set one or more sails.

On the next leg of our short trip, we want to experience the ship under sail! Passing the green and white Friedrichsort lighthouse, we soon see the Laboe Naval Memorial on our starboard side, and right next to it we discover the former submarine U 995, which sits particularly impressively on the beach from this perspective.

On the opposite shore of the fjord, we can see the silhouette of the Schilksee Olympic Centre – the site of the 1972 Olympic flame. Soon after, we reach the open Baltic Sea near the Kiel Lighthouse.

Soon we will cross the invisible German-Danish sea border and find a berth for the night in the sheltered harbor of Sønderborg on the island of Als. The main attraction is the castle with its park, which is within sight of our mooring. A stroll through the old town, with its typically Danish tranquility, and along the harbor promenade with its historic merchant houses is also worthwhile.

As a possible alternative to spending the night in the harbor, we can also seek out a sheltered anchorage, for example in Hørup Hav bay – a night at anchor is always a special event.

"Farewell" in Flensburg

Sailing through the Flensburg Outer Fjord, past the Holnis peninsula and the Danish Ox Islands, we leisurely approach our destination: cruising along the green shores of the Flensburg Fjord into the maritime city center of Flensburg. The highlight of our last day at sea is our traditional "Captain's Dinner" – a convivial end to our sailing trip!

After a delicious breakfast the next morning, you bid farewell to our crew and fellow travelers at the end of this spring cruise. With a duffel bag full of memories, you disembark. A diverse and exciting few days on the Elbe, the Kiel Canal, and the Baltic Sea are now behind you.

This is where you disembark.

A unique waterscape unfolds between the Flensburg Fjord, the narrow Als Fjord, and the Little Belt. Flensburg is the ideal starting point for exploring this region. This historic seafaring and port city is considered the home of rum and the West Indies trade. Here, amidst romantic captains' and merchants' houses, you can follow in the footsteps of adventure, the scent of salt and tar. In the 18th century, ships brought raw rum from the Caribbean to the city – the many sea shanties about the famous "bottle of rum" still bear witness to this today. Our tip: Take part in one of the city tours offered. The Maritime Museum offers fascinating insights into the maritime past, and the imposing St. Nicholas Church dominates the cityscape.