MS Hamburg – Important Information
Before your cruise
Entering the manifest data is essential for smooth processing with customs, port and border authorities! Please enter your complete details immediately after receiving your booking confirmation, but no later than 8 weeks before departure. The manifest data can be entered online at: Customer Portal - Ship manifest. All you need is the transaction number, the name of the first participant and their date of birth. If this information is not available, we will unfortunately be unable to send you your travel documents.
Approximately 6–8 weeks before departure, you will receive the shore excursion programme for your crusie and can conveniently book your excursions inadvance. Payment is made simply via your on-board account. Please note that some of our excursions must be booked in advance. Late bookings on board areonly possible subject to availability. Unfortunately, no changes or cancellationsare possible after the booking deadline announced in the daily programme on board. During each cruise, the excursion manager on board will present all available shore excursions. Our lecturers will also provide you with exciting information about the destinations in their lectures. Our concierge service on board is available to assist you with individual requests or specific questions about shore excursions. Please note that on certain cruises, only a limited number of German-speakingtour guides are available. In these cases, translation will be provided by the on-board staff whenever possible.
You will receive your travel documents in digital form approximately two weeks before departure. Postal delivery is available for a fee of 5 Euro. Please keep your travel documents handy in your hand luggage (digital form is sufficient).
Please note that paper tickets are no longer available for flights. All flights areoperated on electronic tickets, which means that you only need your passport oridentity card to check in.
On Board
The entire ship is air-conditioned and the temperature in your cabin can be individually regulated. However, the air conditioning cannot be switched off completely.
There are various bars on board offering a wide range of drinks. Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are available. Tobacco products are also available at the bars. You can also purchase beverage packages which, depending on the package, include non-alcoholic beverages, beer, wine or an extended premium selection. Further information can be found in the catalogue or on the respective travelpages.
A limited number of bicycles and Nordic walking poles are available on board for shore excursions. Subject to official approval, you can reserve these on board at the concierge office for each shore excursion for a rental fee. Unfortunately, it is not possible to hire bicycles in tender ports.
The ship's bridge is the central control centre for all nautical and technical operations on board and is there fore considered a particularly sensitive area. For this reason, access is not permitted in accordance with international regulations. However, if nautical requirements or local regulations of there spective coastal countries allow it, we are happy to offer bridge visits for interested guests.
The cabins on MS Hamburg vary in terms of their furnishings and size, depending on whether they are inside cabins, outside cabins or suites. Some of our outside cabins and four suites have lowerable infinity windows, while two suites have their own veranda where you can relax and enjoy the view. When you book a guaranteed cabin, we will confirm the cabin category you have selected, but without specifying the cabin number. Accommodation is guaranteed in the cabin category you have booked or higher, and we will provide you with the cabin number in your travel documents. Although all cabins are located in the quieter front and middle sections of the ship, we would like to point out that certain typical noises and smells cannot always be avoided on a ship. These include the noise of the bow thruster in the front section and the engine in the rear section of the ship, as well as noise from propulsion systems and ventilation. You can decide which cabin is right for you based on your needs and preferences. Browse our detailed information in the respective ship profile and deck plan.
All cabins are equipped with a colour television offering access to onboard video channels, TV and music channels (depending on reception and destination) and a bow camera. In addition, the cabins have a telephone, wardrobe, shower room with WC and hairdryer, bathrobe, air conditioning and safe. Your cabin also has a minibar, which is replenished daily and charged to your on-board account. All cabins are non-smoking.
MS Hamburg is a ship with a relaxed and cosy atmosphere. During the day, were commend comfortable, casual clothing. Please note that swimwear is not permitted in the lounges and restaurants. In the evening, smart casual attire is required in the restaurant. During each cruise, there are usually two festive
evening events for which formal attire is requested. Further details are available from the on-board tour guide in the daily programme.
For excursions or private shore leave, we recommend comfortable, practical clothing and sturdy footwear that is suitable for the itinerary. Please note thati n many countries, wearing shorts or Bermuda shorts is frowned upon, and women should keep their shoulders covered when visiting churches and mosques.Depending on the country you are visiting, please also remember to bring a hat and sufficient sun protection.
Especially for our Zodiac cruising and landings, you will need the following equipment, which is not available on board: non-slip, knee-high rubber bootswith warm socks, rain trousers / waterproof ski trousers, a waterproof, warm jacket, fleece jacket or woolen jumper, waterproof, warm gloves, a hat and/or headband, sun cream and sunglasses, a rucksack for photo equipment, binoculars, etc., so that you always have both hands free for disembarking. You will receive further information with your trip details.
Our concierge will be happy to advise you on individual land arrangements, organize your personalized program and take care of all the necessary bookings. You can also obtain comprehensive cruise advice here. Please contact the team directly on site (opening hours can be found in the daily programme on board).
The reception desk of MS Hamburg can be reached by telephone and email. You will receive the contact information with your travel documents. Please note that an immediate connection cannot always be guaranteed and that costs associated with receiving emails via the reception desk will be charged to the recipient on board.
Upon embarkation, you will receive your cruise card, which serves as a means of payment on board and as a means of checking attendance after shore excursions. When leaving the ship, you must always check out with it and check back in again upon your return. Please always carry this pass with you, both on board and ashore.
Every evening, we provide you with the daily program for the following day so that you are always informed about all events on board. The daily program also contains important information about the ports of call and shore excursions.
There are plenty of comfortable deck chairs and sun loungers on board so that you can relax and enjoy the view at any time. However, in rough seas and strong winds, they are secured for safety reasons and are not available for use.
We are happy to accommodate special requests regarding diets, allergies andintolerances wherever possible. Please let us know in advance when booking.
The voltage on board is uniformly 220 volts. For safety reasons, the use ofpersonal electrical appliances such as irons – with the exception of shavers – is not permitted. However, a hairdryer is available in every cabin.
Let yourself be enchanted by a variety of artistic and musical entertainment on board. Look forward to regular highlights such as live music and relaxing piano music to accompany your day and evening. In addition, our experienced lecturers offer exciting talks that will enrich you with fascinating insights into the culture, history and special features of the destinations visited. This allows you to prepare even better for the upcoming shore excursions and enhance your stay with valuable knowledge. On selected voyages, you also have the opportunity to participate in themed lectures and courses. The topics vary depending on the trip and range from astronomy to political discussions and photography courses to relaxing yoga. This allows you to enrich your trip not only with new impressions, but also with new knowledge and skills.
Unwind, recharge your batteries and enjoy your time at sea. The light-filled fitness room with sea views is equipped with modern equipment such as treadmills, ergometers, a cross trainer and a small selection of dumbbells and fitness bands – ideal for your individual training program. Right next door, the heated outdoor freshwater pool invites you to refresh and relax. Swim a few lapsin the morning or enjoy the sun on a lounger in the afternoon – pool towels are available in your cabin. The wellness area with sauna provides further relaxation – included in the price of your trip. Treat yourself to additional soothing massages or cosmetic treatments – such as an aromatic oil massage or a relaxing facial. A hairdresser is also available on board. All treatments can be booked individually and are subject to a charge – for your very own personal pampering program.
MS Hamburg is accessible via a gangway. To board the ship, it is necessary to walk across the gangway independently. Depending on the berth and tide, the gangway may vary in design – sometimes it is step-free, sometimes it has steep steps. Local conditions may vary, and the water level may change during the layover. Embarkation and disembarkation for guests who are wheelchair usersor have limited physical mobility cannot always be guaranteed. Detailed information can be found here. Please note that we are unable to offerassistance from our crew, both due to their fixed involvement in daily tasks on board and for organizational and liability reasons.
You can purchase various data packages at reception, the cost of which will be charged directly to your on-board account. The internet connection is satellite-based, which means it may be slower than on land. The speed varies depending on the number of simultaneous users and the ship's position. Wi-Fi is available in almost all public areas and in the suites. You can also use a public PC on board free of charge. Please note that a data package must be booked separately for internet use.
A laundry service with ironing is available on board for a fee. If required, simply contact your cabin crew. The cost will be charged to your on-board account.
You will receive luggage tags to print out with your travel documents. Please attach these to your luggage in good time so that they are clearly visible. These tags ensure that your luggage is transported smoothly and make the luggage handlers' work much easier. Please write your full name and cabin number in block letters. Alternatively, you can also write your cabin number clearly on your personal luggage tags. We also recommend that you take out luggage insurance, for example our plantours comprehensive cover package from HanseMerkur (insurance information can be found on the travel pages). You can book a luggage service from your front door directly to the ship or airport and back directly with TEFRA Travel Logistics. You can find more informationon the travel pages under Luggage Service or directly here: https://www.tefra-log.de/kreuzfahrtservice.html >
MS Hamburg has a well-equipped ship's hospital, run by an experienced English-speaking ship's doctor. If you require medical treatment during the voyage, please contact the ship's doctor immediately after embarkation. Consultation hours are announced daily in the daily programme. Please note that visits outside regular consultation hours are subject to additional costs. In emergencies, the ship's doctor can be notified via reception.
If you require vital medication or medication that must be taken regularly, please carry a sufficient supply in your hand luggage, as these preparations are not available on board or in the countries visited. The costs of medical treatment and medication must be paid on board. German fee guidelines and German health insurance do not apply on board, and it is not possible to settlebills using your insurance card. We there fore strongly recommend that you take out private international health insurance, which you can submit to for reimbursement after your trip. Please find out in advance which costs arecovered by your insurance. plantours cannot accept any liability for the full reimbursement of treatment costs by your personal health insurance. If you have a chronic illness, require your medication to be refrigerated, or need to follow a special diet, please contact the tour operator well in advance of your cruise so that appropriate arrangements can be made for your journey.
The currency on board is the Euro. You can pay conveniently with your boarding card in the restaurants and bars. At the end of the cruise – or after each leg of a combined cruise – you will receive a total bill from reception. This can be paid in cash, by debit card or by credit card (VISA or MasterCard, valid for at least 2 months). The bill also includes expenses for shore excursions, drinks and other services on board. Please ensure before departure that your credit card limit is sufficient and also valid in the countries you will be visiting during your cruise. Unfortunately, it is not possible to exchange money on board.
Have you already received your personal logbook from plantours Kreuzfahrten? You can use this logbook to record all sea or river voyages youtake on plantours Kreuzfahrten ships. Further information can be found here.
A professional team of photographers is on board to take pictures both on the ship and on land. These photos are exhibited and available for purchase. Digital images can be burned on to CD for a fee. The team also captures the impressions of the cruise on video, which is available on DVD or USB stick.
During your trip, you will be looked after by the plantours tour guide team. Our team is responsible for organizing the program on board, arranging excursions and providing general advice and support to guests. The plantours information desk is located on Deck 3 opposite the reception. Please refer to the daily program for opening hours.
It is very important to us that your cruise is satisfactory. We are confident that we can resolve any issues, provided you inform us immediately. To continuously improve our service, we kindly ask you to complete the online questionnaire no later than 48 hours after disembarkation. At the end of the trip, a travel voucher worth 250 Euro will be raffled off among the completed questionnaires.
You have the option of enjoying breakfast, lunch and dinner either in the Alsterblick restaurant or in the Palmgarten buffet restaurant. In the Alsterblickrestaurant, breakfast and lunch are served on the starboard side with free choice of seating. For dinner, your reserved table will be available for you. We are happy to get your table requests before departure, without obligation. If you have any special requests, please contact the maître d'hôtel, who will do his best to accommodate them. At the Palmgarten buffet restaurant, you can also enjoy all meals with free choice of seating. Afternoon tea with cakes, pastries and savoury snacks is also served here. Between main meals, you can enjoy small snacks at the sausage station in the Palmgarten. After the evening show, a small midnight snack awaits you every day. The Palmgarten buffet restaurant also offers direct access to the sun deck, where you can dine outdoors in fine weather. In addition, a coffee and teastation is available through out the day for you to refresh yourself at your leisure
On the first evening of your cruise, before departure, there will be amandatory safety briefing for all passengers. During this briefing, you will be shown the meeting points in case of an emergency and demonstrated how to put on the life jackets correctly.
We kindly ask for your understanding that smoking is only permitted in the designated outdoor areas in front of the wine bar and in the marked areas by the pool (port side). We are thus complying with national efforts and the applicable legislation for the protection of non-smokers. Please note that all cabins are non-smoking. The consumption of cannabis on board is prohibited.
The ship is equipped with a modern stabilizer system that reduces the rolling motion of the ship on both sides in rough seas.
In ports where MS Hamburg does not moor at the pier but anchors in the roadstead, tenders are used for disembarkation. In some destinations, expedition inflatable boats (Zodiacs) are used.
Tips are voluntary, but if you wish, you have the option of showing your appreciation to the crew. The amount is, of course, up to each guest. Many guests reward the efforts of the service crew with 7-10 Euro per guest/day. If you wish, the tip can also be charged directly to your on-board account and will then be divided equally among all service staff.
General
Please refer to our information and offers regarding your cruise in thebrochure or online at: An- Abreise You will receive embarkation and disembarkation times with your travel documents.
Children and young people up to and including the age of 17 (calculated from thestart of the cruise) travel free of charge during the cruise. This offer applies to children and young people accompanied by two adults when accommodated in the same cabin in category 6. If accompanied by only one adult, that person pays the price for single occupancy of a cabin (if using a cabin that is not designated as a single cabin, the surcharge is at least 50% of the cruise price). In this case, the child or teenager also travels free of charge during the cruise. If flights are included in the price of the cruise on arrival/departure, no child discount is granted on the flight.The following minimum ages apply for the carriage of children on board MSHamburg: 8 months – within Europe; 2 years – worldwide (excluding Greenland, Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands); 6 years – Greenland and Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands.
Cruises that include flights are booked in economy class. We work with renowned IATA airlines to ensure you have a pleasant journey to and from your destination. All flights allow at least 20 kg of checked baggage and one piece of hand luggage per person. The baggage allowance and size vary depending on the airline. Please note that baggage regulations and security regulations at airports are subject to change at short notice. For more information, please refer to your travel documents. For greater comfort on your journey, many of our long-haul flight partners offer higher booking classes, such as Premium Economy (surcharge from approx. 500Euro per person/route), Business (surcharge from approx. 1500 Euro per person/route) or First Class (only on a few routes). These can be booked on request.
Our cruises are only partially suitable for people with physical disabilities. Detailed information can be found here. Please contact us for further advice,stating your specific needs.
The overriding goal of our Antarctic cruises is to preserve the Antarctic natural paradise. The IAATO (International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators), avoluntary international association of tour operators active in Antarctica, is responsible for managing and enforcing all environmental regulations. plantours Kreuzfahrten is a full member.
We recommend that you take out travel cancellation, luggage, travelinterruption and international health insurance covering repatriation, rescuecosts, quarantine and return travel costs. The latter is mandatory for travel to Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. Further information can be found on the respective travel pages.
Our cruises are planned well in advance. Therefore, local conditions and regulations may change, and political developments may occur before the cruises take place, which are beyond our control and may result in changes to the itinerary. The safety of our guests and the entire crew is our top priority during planning and execution. We are in contact with the agencies in the ports and with the Foreign Office to ensure that you have a safe and care freeholiday.
For safety reasons, we ask expectant mothers to present a medical certificate confirming their fitness to travel. Also, for safety reasons, expectant mothers who are 24 weeks pregnant or more at the start of the journey cannot
participate in a cruise, as medical care cannot be guaranteed on board in the event of complications.
The minimum number of participants for each trip is 350. We reserve the rightto make changes to the programme. A deposit is required to secure yourbooking. The amount depends on the price of the trip and is explained in ourterms and conditions. Your payments are insured in accordance with thestatutory provisions via DRSF, Deutscher Reisesicherungsfonds GmbH, Sächsische Straße 1, 10707 Berlin. The terms and conditions of plantours &Partner GmbH apply to all cruises listed on the website Click here for the terms and conditions >
Entry Requirements
Please note that different entry requirements may apply to our trips. You canfind the latest information directly on the travel pages for each cruise. As official requirements can change at short notice, we will of course keep you up to date with the regulations applicable at the time of your booking in good time before the start of your trip. If visa or other entry and exit fees are incurred for your trip, these will be charged to your on-board account.
Depending on your destination, you will need a passport or identity card – as arule, the document must be valid for at least 6 months after the end of your trip. All important information on entry requirements and necessary documents can be found on the travel pages of your cruise, in the chapter onentry requirements and in your pre-contractual information.
✔️ Important for all guests:
Please bring the exact travel document that you when booking and that is noted on your travel registration. The name on the travel registration must match the name on your identity document. This is the only way to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
✔️ During the cruise:
Depending on the destination, your passport or identity card may be kept by the purser during the cruise. It will be returned to you in good time for shore excursions, if this is necessary for the destination in question.
✔️ For children:
Within the EU: Children under the age of 18 require their own valid identity card or passport. Outside the EU: A valid passport is required. Please note that children's identity cards or entries in their parents' passports are no longer valid and will not be accepted.
✔️ For guests of other nationalities:
The above information applies to German citizens. If you are a citizen of another country, please contact us and check with your embassy or consulatein good time to find out about the current regulations.
No vaccinations are currently mandatory for any plantours cruises. However, ayellow fever vaccination is recommended for some destinations, for example. Please consult your doctor and find out about any last-minute changes to entry requirements and vaccination recommendations in good time before you travel. You can find the latest information on the websites of the Foreign Office (www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en) or the Robert Koch Institute (www.rki.de/EN/), for example.
For these trips, we require you to complete a special, comprehensive medical questionnaire before departure, which you will receive along with the trip information. Your details will, of course, be treated as strictly confidential and are for your own safety. International health insurance with repatriation/rescue cover is mandatory for these trips.
Argentina
All foreign travelers must have valid health insurance and be able to prove this upon entry.
Brazil
The Brazilian authorities prohibit domestic interruptions to cruises (multi-day overland excursions) with disembarkation at one Brazilian port and subsequent re-embarkation at another Brazilian port. Shore excursions inindividual ports are not affected by this.
Channel Islands
There are plans to introduce an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for the Channel Islands from spring 2026. However, no specific information iscurrently available regarding the implementation date, the application process, or the potential costs.
Dominican Republic
Travelers arriving in or departing from the Dominican Republic by plane must complete a free electronic form at https://eticket.migracion.gob.do/ . The form can be completed at the earliest a few weeks before arrival or departure. Once registration is complete, a QR code will be generated, which must be printed out or presented digitally on site.
French Polynesia
For outbound or return flights with a layover in the United States of America, travelers must obtain an electronic travel authorization (ESTA), which is subject to a fee and must be applied for online in advance.
Guatemala
To enter and leave Guatemala, each guest must complete a free electronicentry form online at https://cdn.c.sat.gob.gt/declaDelViajeroGt-web/pages/public/declaracionJuradaDelViajero.html. Once completed, you will receive a QR code by email, which must be printed out or shown as a screenshot on your cell phone to the immigration authorities.
Morocco
Please note that your passport must have sufficiently blank pages.TurkeyPlease note that your passport must have at least one blank page.
Tunisia
Please note that your passport must have sufficiently blank pages.
United Kingdom
For the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, travelers must have a valid passport and an electronic travel authorization (ETA). The application must be made online at https://apply-for-an-eta.homeoffice.gov.uk/apply/electronic-travel-
authorisation/how-to-apply or via the official ETA app before entry – the cost is GBP 16 per person (as of January 2026). The ETA is valid for 2 years and can be used for any number of entries. Children also need a valid passport to enter the UK.
USA (United States of America)
To enter the USA, you will need an electronic entry permit (ESTA), which must be applied online at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/ or via the official ESTA app before entering the country. The cost is USD 40 per person (as of February 2026).
Subject to changes and errors.
Status January 2026
