Ahoy there Traci, and welcome aboard planDisney!
Having spent over a decade sailing around the world, I really do have a particular fondness for
European Itineraries and the way that certain
Ports of Call are already located so close to the sights and sounds of these fantastic destinations. There's an added element of adventure that comes with being able to hop on a train and visit an entirely new location or even another country an hour or so away thanks to Europe's interconnected network of railways!
From the sounds of it, you're looking at taking a
7-Night Western Europe Cruise from Southampton with stops in Hamburg, Rotterdam and
Zeebrugge. While it's both a newer and rarer itinerary for the
Disney Dream, some details have yet to be finalized and publicly published; I can however lend you a bit of my nautical knowledge to flesh out what's available in the meantime:
- Hamburg itself is very pedestrian-friendly and in very close proximity to its cruise terminals; if you're lucky, you can be just steps away from some of the great attractions and eateries in this city full of winding waterways! Hamburg has three possible terminal locations at which cruise ships may dock depending on the size of the ship and how many other vessels are moored in the port on that day; in my experience the closest debarkation point in the HafenCity neighborhood was by far the most easygoing spot to venture in and back, especially when you have a lengthy overnight stay! The other terminals named Altona and Steinwerder may require a bit more travel with shuttle services to take you into the city in about 10 - 20 minutes.
- Since Rotterdam is still a fair distance away from Amsterdam, you'll want to make the most of the nearly 12 hours that the ship is in port to make the journey out there and back. From what is available to Cast Members, the ship is currently set to dock at the cruise terminal located at the Wilhelmina Pier which is conveniently located with public transportation options available to take you to Rotterdam Centraal. This is where you can take a train to Amsterdam in about an hour; while bus trips may also be available many folks also opt for one of the Port Adventures to Amsterdam in order to have that scenic bus journey experience with the peace of mind that they'll be taken care of in case any delays happen on the road.
Hope this helps you out, Traci - keep an eye out for details about the docking and pier information for Hamburg as well as any Port Adventures that may be available in the months leading up to your cruise! Be sure to connect with our own
Tracie and
Adrianna who are our Disney Cruise Line specialists and ask us anything else ahead of your voyage.
Wishing you all the best on your European adventuring in 2024!
Prince