In short
Warnemünde is Rostock's cruise port on the Baltic: the Warnemünde Cruise Center stands by the S-Bahn station, 20 minutes from Rostock Hbf. From the Netherlands it is 7–8 hours by train via Hamburg, no flight needed. Ships sail to the Norwegian fjords and the Baltic from May to September, busiest in July and August, usually for 6–14 nights.
Port at a glance
Warnemünde
Germany
- Where ships go
- Norwegian fjords · Baltic Sea
- Usual length
- 6–9 or 10–14 nights
- Terminal
- Warnemünde Cruise Center on the Passagierkai, by the S-Bahn station
- Getting there
- 7–8 hours by train from the Netherlands via Hamburg; 20 minutes from Rostock Hbf
Important: Warnemünde is part of Rostock, not Berlin. If a cruise description says "Berlin (Warnemünde)", the ship leaves from here — the capital is about three hours away.
Pick a month in the cruise finder →Why Warnemünde
- No flight needed. From the Netherlands it is about 7–8 hours by train via Hamburg, or a day's drive — and then you board a ship bound for the Norwegian fjords.
- A terminal by the station. The Warnemünde Cruise Center stands on the quay a couple of minutes' walk from the S-Bahn station, and central Rostock is about 20 minutes away by train.
- Fjords and the Baltic from one quay. In summer, ships leave both for Norway and for the Baltic capitals — Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki and Tallinn.
- A seaside resort, not an industrial port. Warnemünde is Rostock's beach district: a lighthouse, a wide sandy beach and an old canal full of fishing boats right by the terminal.
Where cruises from Warnemünde go
Warnemünde is a summer port: all departures fall between May and September, and most of them are round trips back to the same quay. These are the main options:
| Route | Typical length | When | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norwegian fjords | About a week, sometimes 10–14 nights | June to September, busiest in July and August | The most frequent route: through the Skagerrak to the fjords and towns of western Norway; longer sailings head further north |
| Baltic Sea | One to two weeks | May to September | Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, Tallinn and other Baltic ports; in May almost every sailing goes this way |
| Short cruises | 2–5 nights | Occasionally, early in the summer | A taster of a few days to see whether cruising suits you |
| To the Mediterranean | 10–14 nights | October, very occasionally | The ship heads south for the winter: a one-way voyage, so you fly home |
Based on cruise line schedules for 2026–2027. Ships, ports and dates change; always check the specific sailing.
Which season to choose
Start of the season
14–17°C by day, a cold sea and quiet promenades. The first ships sail the Baltic to the Scandinavian capitals.
Cruises in May →Long light evenings and fjords
The peak: around 20–23°C, long light evenings and the most departures in August. Hotels in Warnemünde fill up early.
Cruises in August →The last sailings
Around 17–19°C, fewer people, and the first autumn colours in the fjords. There are about half as many departures as in high summer.
Cruises in September →Off season
Almost nothing leaves Warnemünde: at most a repositioning voyage to the Mediterranean in October. Winter on the Baltic is windy and damp.
Cruises in October →Getting to the terminal
Ships berth at the Warnemünde Cruise Center on the Passagierkai, by the harbour entrance and about 500 m from Warnemünde station. Occasionally a ship is assigned a berth in Rostock's seaport (Seehafen) on the other side of the River Warnow, several kilometres away — then a taxi is the easiest way. Your boarding documents show exactly where to go.
- By train from the Netherlands — no flight. Amsterdam to Hamburg takes about 5–5.5 hours with a change, then about two hours to Rostock and 20 minutes on the S-Bahn to Warnemünde: 7–8 hours in all. From Brussels, via Cologne and Hamburg, allow about 9–10 hours.
- By car. From Amsterdam it is about 650 km via Bremen and Hamburg — 6.5–7 hours without traffic; from Brussels about 800 km. Cruise parking is available at and near the terminal, plus car parks with a shuttle. Book a space ahead.
- Fly to Hamburg or Berlin. There are direct flights from Amsterdam and Brussels to both. From Hamburg Airport it is about 2.5 hours by car to Warnemünde, from Berlin BER about three hours; by train with changes, a little longer.
- Rostock-Laage Airport. The closest, about 40 minutes by car, but a small airport with few flights and no direct ones from the Netherlands or Belgium.
- From Rostock Hbf. The S-Bahn to Warnemünde runs every 7–15 minutes in season and takes about 20 minutes. From the station it is a few minutes' walk to the terminal.
Terminal and route on the map
These links open Google Maps with the route ready — handy on embarkation day. Google shows the travel time for your day and hour.
Terminals
- Warnemünde Cruise Center (Passagierkai)Map
Getting there
- Warnemünde station → Warnemünde Cruise Center (Passagierkai)On foot
- Rostock Hbf station → Warnemünde Cruise Center (Passagierkai)Public transportBy car / taxi
- Hamburg Airport → Warnemünde Cruise Center (Passagierkai)By car / taxiPublic transport
- Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) → Warnemünde Cruise Center (Passagierkai)By car / taxiPublic transport
- Rostock-Laage Airport → Warnemünde Cruise Center (Passagierkai)By car / taxi
Check your boarding documents for your terminal or pier: each route leads to the one named in its row.
The night before: where to stay
The journey from the Netherlands takes most of a day, so a night in Warnemünde or Rostock takes the pressure off: in the morning you simply walk to the terminal or ride the S-Bahn for 20 minutes.
Along the Alter Strom
The old canal with fishing boats, cafés and the station. The terminal is a 2–5-minute walk — ideal with luggage.
The promenade and lighthouse
Hotels along the beach and promenade, many with views of the sea and passing ships. 5–15 minutes on foot to the terminal.
Rostock old town
A Hanseatic centre of brick churches and market squares, with more hotels. About 20 minutes to the terminal by S-Bahn.
Hamburg or Berlin
Spend a couple of days in a big city, but make your last night Warnemünde: the trip from either takes 2.5–3 hours.
In summer Warnemünde is a popular resort, and in August it hosts the Hanse Sail maritime festival. Book your room as early as you can.
If you have half a day in Warnemünde
Almost everything below is within walking distance of the terminal, so it fits before boarding or after you disembark:
- The lighthouse and the Teepott. A white late-19th-century lighthouse you can climb in season, and next to it the Teepott ("teapot") pavilion with its wave-shaped roof — the symbol of Warnemünde.
- The Alter Strom. Fishing boats, old captains' houses and fish rolls (Fischbrötchen) sold straight from the boats along the quay.
- The beach. One of the widest on the Baltic: white sand and the hooded wicker beach chairs (Strandkörbe) Germans use to hide from the wind.
- The west pier. A long breakwater with a small lighthouse at the end — the place to watch ships sail out, and the sunset in the evening.
- Rostock old town. Twenty minutes by S-Bahn: St Mary's Church with its 15th-century astronomical clock, the Neuer Markt with Hanseatic gables, and the old city wall.
The day you come back
Ships usually dock early in the morning, and guests leave in groups until around 9 or 10 a.m. Going home by train, you will reach the Netherlands in the evening — allow for delays. Hamburg Airport is about 2.5 hours away and Berlin about three, so avoid flights before mid-afternoon. With time to spare, enjoy the beach: there are luggage lockers at Warnemünde station.
Practical tips
- The language on board. Many ships leaving Warnemünde cater mainly to German-speaking guests, so announcements, shows and excursions are largely in German. If that matters to you, check the cruise language before booking.
- Warnemünde is not Berlin. Cruise descriptions sometimes call the port "Berlin (Warnemünde)". The capital is about three hours away each way — see Berlin before your cruise, not on embarkation day.
- Pack layers. Even in summer the Baltic is windy, and the fjords are cool and often rainy. Bring a windproof jacket and waterproof shoes.
- A train with a margin. Book an early train or arrive the day before: final boarding is usually one to two hours before departure.
- ID for everyone. Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Estonia are all in the Schengen area. If you do not hold a European passport, check the entry rules for every country on the route — what to check.
Want it even closer?
In Hamburg, ships leave from the city itself, and the train from the Netherlands is a couple of hours shorter. Sailings to the fjords and Northern Europe start there too. Cruises from Hamburg →
Common questions
Which cruises leave from Warnemünde?
From May to September, cruises to the Norwegian fjords and around the Baltic Sea to Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki and Tallinn. Most are 6–14 nights and return to Warnemünde; July and August have the most choice.
Where is the cruise terminal in Warnemünde?
The Warnemünde Cruise Center is on the Passagierkai by the harbour entrance, about 500 m from Warnemünde station. Occasionally a ship uses a berth in Rostock's seaport across the river — your boarding documents show exactly where to go.
How do I get to Warnemünde from the Netherlands or Belgium?
Without flying: by train from Amsterdam via Hamburg in about 7–8 hours, from Brussels in about 9–10. By car it is about 650 km from Amsterdam. You can also fly to Hamburg or Berlin and continue 2.5–3 hours overland.
Where should I stay the night before a cruise from Warnemünde?
Closest is the Alter Strom by the station and the seafront near the lighthouse, a few minutes' walk from the terminal. There is more choice in Rostock old town, 20 minutes away by S-Bahn. In summer, book early.
Can I visit Berlin from Warnemünde?
Yes, but it is about three hours each way. If your cruise starts in Warnemünde, Berlin works better before boarding: spend a couple of days there and arrive in Warnemünde the day before.
Are Warnemünde and Rostock the same port?
Warnemünde is Rostock's seaside district, about 12 km from the city centre. Schedules use either name, but the cruise terminal is the same one — by the sea in Warnemünde.
How the club fits in
Cruises from Warnemünde that are available in the club work on the same terms as any other route. You choose one way to pay per booking: the member price (INsider Pricing), roughly 17% below the listed price, or your Reward Points, which can cover up to half of the cruise price. They do not add up. To pay up to 100% with points, you need to have accumulated enough points and book 270 days or more before departure.
Not every cruise line can be booked through the club: check the specific sailing in the club's search, or ask us and we will tell you which Warnemünde dates are available in the month you have in mind.
How booking with points works →
Seasons and destinations are summarised from cruise line schedules for 2026–2027 and may change; check the current itinerary and terminal information before you travel. Percentages describe the club's rules and are indicative. Reislite is an independent information site run by partners, not a website of inCruises.