Plan a CruiseBremerhaven's Columbus Cruise Center is a modern passenger terminal, having completed an 80 million euro pier refurbishment project at the end of 2021. It is located 2 km from the city center. While Bremerhaven itself has a post-war landscape with few historical buildings, its main draw for cruise passengers lies in its excellent maritime museums and its convenient location for exploring the larger region.
Getting Around from the Port
The cruise terminal is 2 km from Bremerhaven's city center, making it about a 25-30 minute walk.
- Shuttle Bus: The "BREMERHAVEN BUS" public transportation company offers a shuttle service directly to/from Bremerhaven downtown during ship stays. Tickets are sold by the bus driver.
- Taxi: A taxi stand is located at the main entrance of the Columbus Cruise Center. A taxi ride to downtown Bremerhaven takes approximately 5 minutes but can be expensive.
- Public Bus to Train Station: The "BREMERHAVEN BUS" also provides direct transfers with modern coaches between the cruise terminal and Bremerhaven's main train station. Schedules are adapted to cruise ship arrival/departure times, and tickets are purchased from the bus driver. These tickets are also valid for downtown shuttles if you plan to use both.
- Information: Brochures on Bremerhaven's sights are available at the information desk on the first floor of the terminal.
Attractions and Activities
Given 8-10 hours in port, here are some options:
- Bremerhaven's Maritime Museums: The city's primary attractions are the German Emigration Center (open since August 2005) and the German Maritime Museum (Deutsches Schiffahrtsmuseum). Both are situated on the historical harbor and feature numerous museum ships. These offer a fascinating look into Germany's seafaring past and emigration history.
- Harbor Bus Tour: For a unique perspective, consider "Der HafenBus" (HarborBus) tour. This provides an up-close experience of the bustling large harbor and shipyard operations, a view not possible otherwise.
- Day Trip to Bremen: A popular independent excursion is a trip to Bremen, located 70 km away. Bremen boasts Northern Germany's most beautiful city center, with its Renaissance City Hall, Norman cathedral, and distinctive high-gabled houses. To get there, take the "Bremerhaven Bus" shuttle from the cruise terminal directly to Bremerhaven's main train station. From the main station, fast trains to Bremen take approximately 40 minutes, while slower trains take about 1 hour.
Dining
German fast food, known as "Schnellimbiss," is widely available, cheap, hearty, and diverse. Look for traditional options like Bockwurst (boiled sausage), Bratwurst (grilled sausage), and Currywurst (spiced sausage), typically served with fries. Doner Kebab, a popular and healthy Turkish fast food, is also widely available.
Shopping
While Bremerhaven's city center is primarily modern, Germany is known for specialty purchases such as precision optical equipment (binoculars, cameras), porcelain, handmade crystal, Solingen knives, leather goods, and toys. Be aware of shopping hours:
- Most stores close by 8 p.m. on weekdays (some as early as 6:30 p.m.).
- On Saturdays, stores typically close by 1 or 2 p.m., though larger city centers might stay open until 2 or 4 p.m.
- Almost all stores are closed on Sundays, with the exception of some bakeries open in the morning.
- An internet cafe is available on the top floor of the cruise terminal for 5 euros per hour.
Currency and Language
The local currency is the Euro (€). ATMs are readily available. Important Note: Credit cards are not as widely accepted in Germany as in some other countries, primarily due to high commission fees for retailers. It is highly recommended to pay in cash whenever possible. Traveler's cheques are generally not accepted as payment in stores, and banks often refuse to exchange them. German is the official language. It is customary to use the formal "Sie" (you) when addressing strangers.