Kiel Canal, Germany Luxury Cruises

Home of the Kiel Canal, this region is your gateway to the Baltics. The impressive canal took 8 years to build and is known as the busiest locks in Europe, having serviced thousands of ships since it opened in 1895. While your luxury cruise ship traverses the locks, you’re welcome to take an excursion to the nearby city of Hamburg. Formed in the early 9^th Century, it began to thrive during medieval times, and it’s the architecture of this era that was so carefully restored after the devastation of World War II.

No skyscrapers punctuate the cityscape – instead, church spires dominate the skyline. St Michael’s Church is one of the most popular, a stunning example of Baroque design with a crypted vault and offering panoramic views from its huge copper-roofed spire. Or you can head to the Kramer Amtsstuben, a narrow alley of Old Hamburg lined with half-timbered houses and unique shops, offering a quaint look at life in the historic city many years ago. If Hamburg isn’t for you, the beautiful surrounds of the Schleswig-Holstein state include miles of stunning coastline where you’ll delight in spectacular scenery, ideal for a relaxing stroll.

The currency in Kiel is the Euro. Kiel is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT +2).