confusion between port of Hamburg versus port of Warnemunde

Hamburg is on the estuary of the river Elbe, which empties into the North Sea, west of Denmark. Warnemunde is the the port for Rostock, on the Baltic, east of Denmark. There are direct ICE connections from Hamburg to Berlin in less than two hours; they don't go through Rostock.

Most trains in Germany have both 1st and 2nd class coaches. I prefer 2nd class. I don't think the difference is worth the extra price.

For a trip of 1 hour or more, I would get a seat reservation. They only cost 4,50€/seat. It's a lot better than standing. The ICE from Hamburg to Berlin has no stops between Hamburg and Berlin-Spandau, just before you get to Berlin Hbf, so if you can't find a seat right away, you will stand the whole way.

The Crystal Symphony docks at HafenCity Cruise terminal. There is a U-Bahn station there to get you to Hamburg Hbf where you can get an ICE train to Berlin in about 1 hr 43 min. The Hamburg cruise website says you arrive Sept 8 at 11 am, and depart Sept 9 at 4 pm. As far as train reservations go, it may be hard to know exactly when you can get off the ship. Just get the ticket and reservation when you get to the train station. The fast direct trains run approximately every hour.

Sounds like you're on the right track, now, and can put Warnemunde out of your mind. (I think Rick wrote that reference for people's whose cruise line advertised a stop at "Berlin," whereas yours advertises a stop at "Hamburg," and neither one is actually a port city.)

I looks like Laura made a typo or something. Hamburg is either the second or third largest port in Europe.

The Crystal Symphony docks at HafenCity Cruise terminal. There is a
U-Bahn station there to get you to Hamburg Hbf

The cruise terminal is very close to the train station, walking is faster.

Thank you for info. Very helpful.

Just so you know, the Uberseequartier U-bahn station is 600 feet from the cruise terminal. Hamburg Hbf is about a mile and a quarter. If you have any kind of luggage, springing for a taxi may be the best bet. Since the cruise docks on the 8th, but does not terminate until the 9th, I would assume you'll be touring Hamburg on the 8th and will get the lay of the land, spending the night on the boat, then checking out and moving on the 9th.