SIMONE MARASCHI, Managing Director of Cruise Gate Hamburg, takes the club! questionnaire and praises the city’s welcoming spirit, maritime traditions and innovative drive.
PORT AUTHORITY
The Italian Managing Director of Cruise Gate Hamburg, SIMONE MARASCHI, is unlocking additional potential to make the city a global cruise hub.
- How did you get into your current career path?
I began my career in the airline industry, working in sales, marketing and later in terminal and airport operations. These roles sparked my interest in the intersection of transport, logistics and customer experience and set me on a path to Cruise Gate Hamburg, where strategy, international cooperation, hospitality and customer experience all come together, which is especially rewarding. - Which technological developments will shape your industry?
Alternative fuels such as LNG and methanol, more shore power solutions, digital tools for traffic flow: all this will improve efficiency and create even better conditions for sustainable cruise shipping. - What was your team’s last big achievement?
The opening of the Cruise Center HafenCity was a milestone for our team and for Hamburg. Delivering an urban, sustainable and architecturally unique terminal in the heart of the city was an achievement that demonstrated the dedication and professionalism of everyone involved. Positioned next to the new Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier, it offers passengers an immediate urban experience from the moment they disembark — shopping, culture, gastronomy and entertainment just steps away. The terminal has already proven that cruise infrastructure can be more than a functional building: it can serve as a public space, hosting concerts and community events, opening the waterfront for shared experiences and strengthening the bond between the port and its residents. Another rewarding development has been Hamburg’s successful expansion of shore power infrastructure across its cruise terminals. Today, Hamburg is one of the few cruise ports in Europe where shore power is available at all terminals. - How is your business impacted by global events?
S Global economic fluctuations and geopolitical uncertainties influence cruise itineraries and passenger behaviour. For us, this requires close coordination with the cruise lines, and the readiness to adapt operations at short notice. Adapting our processes in tandem with the cruise industry is a core part of our business, especially in recent years. - Which challenges do you anticipate for the next few years?
The past years have been transformative for the cruise industry. One of the challenges for us and the city is to align sustainability and growth. Hamburg has demonstrated for years that responsible development and economic success can go hand in hand. The city enjoys a worldwide reputation as a frontrunner in sustainable port and cruise development, supported by its early adoption of shore power. Our task is to ensure that Hamburg’s port infrastructure is prepared so that cruise lines can implement their future oriented fleet strategies. - Where do you take your visitors in Hamburg?
I always take visitors to the water — the harbour, the Landungsbrücken or preferably onto the Alster. Seeing Hamburg from the water reveals its character: a city shaped by global connections, maritime history . - How was 2025 for your company and what do you expect for 2026?
2025 was a very successful year for Cruise Gate Hamburg, marked by strong passenger volumes. For 2026, we expect continued growth both in passenger volumes and calls. This highlights Hamburg’s appeal for cruise lines and their guests. - Where do you host business partners from abroad?
I aim to give cruise line partners a sense of what makes Hamburg so distinctive: a city shaped by centuries of maritime tradition, yet at the same time culturally vibrant, contemporary, and innovative – and one of Northern Europe’s most attractive year round cruise destinations. I enjoy taking guests onto the water, either the Elbe or the Alster. - How many people work for your company?
Cruise Gate Hamburg operates with a small team of 19 employees, all based in Hamburg. As the operator of the city’s three cruise terminals — Altona, Steinwerder and HafenCity — our responsibilities cover both the berth allocation and operations at the terminals, always in close coordination with the cruise lines, agents and service providers. Additionally, we drive business development as well as the international marketing and promotion of Hamburg as a cruise destination. We make active use of our terminals as event venues on non-operational days, hosting large scale events and formats that open the port infrastructure to the city and the public. Our aim is to grow while preserving the agility, efficiency and team spirit that naturally come with a small “crew”. - What is your idea of a perfect weekend?
Spending time outdoors and being physically active provides a good balance to a demanding work routine, as does spending time with my wife and son. - What drives you?
I am motivated by the idea of shaping the future of Hamburg as a leading and sustainable cruise destination. The cruise industry is constantly evolving, and helping Hamburg stay at the forefront is both a privilege and a challenge. - Where do you consider home?
I have two homes: I was born and raised in Milan – Italy is a part of my identity. But Hamburg has become a home for me and my family. - What do you like about Hamburg?
Hamburg has a unique atmosphere: maritime yet modern, international yet calm, and innovative while still deeply rooted in tradition. I truly appreciate how easy it is to move around the city by bicycle. After traveling, I always enjoy returning to the waterfront – and the city’s relaxed rhythm. - Where do you like to spend your holidays?
I love the mountains, especially in South Tyrol, where I spent my childhood. On family trips, we try to experience destinations authentically, immersing ourselves in the local culture and everyday life — not just as visitors, but through genuine encounters. - What do you appreciate in having Hamburg as the base for your company?
There is a unique spirit of hospitality in Hamburg — the so called “Willkommenskultur“. It gives cruise lines an arrival experience that very few ports can match. The port is actually part of Hamburg’s cultural DNA – and this deep-rooted connection creates an atmosphere in which cruise ships, guests and crews feel genuinely welcomed. What would make Hamburg even more attractive — particularly for American cruise lines — is improved international air connectivity with direct flights to and from the U.S.
SIMONE MARASCHI
Maraschi started his career in 1997 in the airline industry, then joined the Italian ferry Group Grimaldi/Grandi Navi Veloci in 2005. In 2010, he moved to Sartori & Berger, one of Germany’s leading port agencies before joining Cruise Gate Hamburg, a subsidiary of the Hamburg Port Authority, in 2020 as Managing Director.