The fascination of the Arctic is almost impossible to convey through travel reports or films. It needs to be experienced first-hand – and the HANSEATIC inspiration makes this possible. The largest island in the world greets you with the Greenlandic welcome of “Tikilluarit” and opens the doors to exciting adventures. Your first stop is Uummannaq with its colourful houses and the striking backdrop of a heart-shaped mountain shimmering in red. Venture further north in the wake of former pioneers and visit places where polar explorers made history – now you can add your own chapter to the tales of adventure. Take a look behind the white curtain of the Canadian Arctic and unlock its intriguing secrets. The ship is perfectly equipped – with the highest ice class for passenger ships and the many years of experience of the captain and crew.

Baffin Island is filled with the pioneering spirit of its namesake William Baffin. On the flexible course, the HANSEATIC inspiration will take time to explore the deep fjords, high cliffs, lakes and glaciers that shape the scenery. Enjoy first-hand and active experiences with Zodiac rides and landings. Dreams of exploration come true here in places such as Icy Arm and Walker Arm. The largest uninhabited island on earth, Devon Island, is craggy, dry and red-soiled. In Dundas Harbor (Nunavut), an abandoned station of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police bears silent witness to the isolation. Keep a lookout for musk oxen and Arctic hares against the striking cliff backdrop. Which species will make an appearance? The HANSEATIC inspiration will continue north to reach the southern coast of Ellesmere Island. On the glaciated island, rock formations tell of an ancient sea that existed 400 million years ago, which was displaced by the land masses over time. Discover unique Arctic panoramas in the clear polar air with Zodiac landings and hikes, for instance in Fram Fjord and Starnes Fjord.

The route north takes you to Smith Sound between Greenland and Canada. How far can the ship go here? The landing on Pim Island is another challenging feat. If the gamble pays off, you will feel the drama of the Greely expedition, which fell victim to the icy winter of 1884 on the small, rocky island. With a little luck, you might see some polar bears from the deck. In 1909, American polar explorer Robert Edwin Peary travelled through the more northerly Nares Strait to become the first person to reach the North Pole. What this region means today will become clear as you reach Hans Island: Canada and Denmark have been laying claim to the island for years. However, the border dispute could be settled in 2022.

Barely any other ships sail the waters of Northwest Greenland, so it is a privilege to explore these places that are beyond the reach of most people. Are you excited by the idea of going to the North Pole? In the 20th century, you would have reached the geomagnetic pole in Etah. Today, it lies further west. However, this deserted place in the vast landscape will still draw your pioneering spirit like a magnet. Knud Rasmussen and Robert Edwin Peary had base camps here. Perhaps you might spot whales and seals as your route continues to Siorapaluk. Greenland’s most northerly settlement lies directly on the fjord, surrounded by mighty sandstone mountains in shades of light red and purple. In Qaanaaq, pick up the trail of the polar explorer Knud Rasmussen again, who started numerous expeditions in the region. Explore icebergs set in spectacular scenery in Cape York.

The impressive glacier in Ilulissat is a colossal natural sculpture. A hike with your experts will take you to see the icebergs it produces. A very special spectacle in Disko Bay takes the experience to a new level as breathtaking ice formations drift slowly through the water – with you at the centre as you cruise or take a Zodiac ride. Sisimiut provides diverse insights into Nordic life, where the museum village and another hike trace the millennia-old Inuit culture. By the end of this expedition, the once blank pages of your personal logbook will be brimming with your new Arctic experiences.