The MS Hamburg is preparing for a major refurbishment that will see several areas of the ship upgraded in the coming weeks. Plantours has planned a series of improvements aimed at enhancing comfort and the onboard experience, with work covering everything from cabins to public spaces, while preserving the ship’s distinctive character.
Following the major refurbishment carried out in 2020, the cruise line is once again investing in the ship, with the aim of updating its interiors and further enhancing the experience offered to guests. The work is scheduled for completion on 11 December 2026, when the MS Hamburg will return to service with its first post-refurbishment cruise: a 34-day itinerary covering the Mediterranean, North Africa, the Canary Islands, Madeira and Portugal, arriving in Hamburg on 13 January 2027.
The project will follow a design concept that combines contemporary elegance with the ship’s distinctive identity. The areas undergoing refurbishment include the cabins, lounge and pool area, which will be updated to provide more welcoming and functional spaces. The improvements are designed to enhance the areas dedicated to relaxation and socialising through updated materials and finishes, while maintaining an atmosphere in keeping with the style of the MS Hamburg.
A significant part of the project focuses on the accommodation. The revamped offering will include several cabin and suite categories, with particular attention paid to the quality of the interiors and the practical use of space.
The Veranda Suite stands out for its more spacious layout and an atmosphere designed to provide greater privacy and comfort. Its new design features carefully selected details and elegant styling, creating a private space dedicated to rest and relaxation. The Category 12 Suite, also featuring a floor-to-ceiling panoramic window, offers a comfort-focused layout with generous interiors, quality materials and a harmonious use of space. The refurbishment will also include the interior cabins, designed to combine practicality with a warm and welcoming atmosphere, as well as the outside cabins with sea views, characterised by bright interiors and a stronger visual connection with the surrounding scenery.
Among the most interesting additions are four new double cabins with balconies, available from December 2026. These accommodations belong to the new Category 14 and are located forward on Deck 4. Each cabin offers approximately 15–17 square metres of interior space, together with a balcony of around 6.5 square metres. Their distinctive feature is a glass door in place of the traditional window, allowing more natural light into the cabin and creating a direct connection with the outdoor space. A protective metal door with a porthole is also fitted and can be closed in the event of particularly rough seas.
The cabins feature two single beds that can be joined together, a bathroom with shower and WC, a wardrobe and a seating area. Amenities also include a bathrobe, hairdryer, air conditioning, minibar, safe, telephone and television with onboard video channels and images from the forward-facing camera. Identified by cabin numbers 401a, 402a, 403a and 404a, these four accommodations represent an important addition to the ship's offering, introducing the option of a private outdoor space.
The refurbishment is scheduled to be completed on 11 December 2026, when the MS Hamburg will resume service with its upgraded interiors. The first departure will be a 34-day Christmas and New Year cruise, calling at destinations in Turkey, Greece, Malta, Italy, Tunisia, Spain, Morocco, the Canary Islands, Madeira and Portugal.
With this project, Plantours aims to further enhance a ship which, thanks to its relatively compact dimensions and maximum capacity of around 400 guests, can reach destinations and ports that are less accessible to larger vessels.
Giorgia Lombardo
