Kiel Canal Transit
Connecting the North Sea, at the mouth of the Elbe River, to the Baltic Sea at Holtenau, the Kiel Canal is one of the world’s busiest and most important shipping routes. Slicing a man-made path through the German countryside, this 61-mile-long marvel of engineering allows vessels to avoid 250 nautical miles of sea sailing on average, ensuring a faster and safer passage through Europe.
As picturesque as it is important, the Kiel Canal is a popular route for ‘pleasure’ crafts and smaller-sized cruise ships such as those in the Fred. Olsen fleet. Sailing slowly along the canal presents an opportunity to take in gorgeous scenes of lush-green countryside and a collection of interesting villages and towns flanking the still waters, and marvel at several impressive bridges. Maritime enthusiasts will delight at the various shapes, sizes and sheer volume of the ships and vessels navigating this busy waterway too.
Cruises to Kiel Canal Transit
Revisiting Prussia • M2223
- Experience an immersive delve into centuries of Prussia’s history
- See Kaliningrad’s surviving city gates
- In Germany, tour from Travemunde to take in the imposing gates
German Waterways with Kiel Week • M2218
- Be part of the Kieler Woche celebrations
- Experience scenic cruising of the Kiel Canal
- Discover Bremen, Hamburg and Travemünde
Baltic States with St Petersburg • L2228
- Explore St. Petersburg on an overnight stay
- Delve into Soviet history in Saaremaa and Tallinn
- Sail the Kiel Canal en route to Lithuania
European Christmas Markets • L2232
- Enjoy the festive illuminations at Tivoli
- Browse the markets in Hamburg and Gothenburg
- Tour to Bruges or Brussels from Zeebrugge
Cities of Germany via the Kiel Canal • L2307
- Discover the maritime history of Kiel, gateway to Berlin
- Enjoy beautiful German countryside as you cruise along the Kiel Canal
- Visit the Rathaus when in Hamburg
Exploring Baltic Capitals with St Petersburg • L2311
- Visit the magnificent Peterhof Palace in St. Petersburg
- Wander the historic Gamla Stan District of Copenhagen
- Enjoy scenic cruising on the Kiel Canal