Bomb Disposal in Kiel on May 11, 2025: Significant Rail Transport Disruptions Expected for Cruise Passengers

Bild; Kiel Hafen Live
Kiel faces a logistical challenge on Sunday, May 11, 2025, with far-reaching consequences for rail transport. A necessary bomb disposal operation in the Meimersdorf district will lead to significant restrictions for arrivals and departures by train. These measures will particularly affect travelers planning a guest changeover for the cruise ships AIDAbella and Mein Schiff 7 at the Ostseekai terminal that day, as the evacuation zone also includes the vital rail link between Kiel and Hamburg.

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Deutsche Bahn (German Rail) announced that train services on the Kiel-Hamburg route will be interrupted from Sunday morning, 8:00 AM. Specifically, this means no trains will be able to operate between Kiel Central Station and Bordesholm. The precise details and the extent of the impact on the timetable are currently being finalized in close coordination between Deutsche Bahn and the relevant authorities. Travelers are strongly advised to check the current situation and possible alternative connections shortly before commencing their journey. Further information is expected to be released promptly.

It is assumed that regular train operations will only resume after the successful completion of the disposal work. A rail replacement bus service is planned for Sunday morning. However, this alternative could prove problematic, especially for cruise passengers with extensive luggage. Affected passengers should therefore consider adjusting their travel plans and allow significantly more time for their arrival and departure. It is also anticipated that trains operating after the line is reopened on Sunday will experience higher occupancy rates than usual.

The shipping companies AIDA Cruises and TUI Cruises are also expected to provide their passengers with detailed information regarding the arrival and departure situation on the affected Sunday. Both cruise ships, AIDAbella and Mein Schiff 7, are scheduled to depart with their newly embarked guests at 5:00 PM the same evening. AIDAbella will embark on a five-day cruise to Norway, with stops in Eidfjord and Bergen. Mein Schiff 7 will set course for the Baltic Sea, visiting the capitals Helsinki, Tallinn, and Stockholm, as well as the island of Gotland with Visby.