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HANSEATIC spirit

FROM HAMBURG TO MADEIRA

Hamburg - Madeira

Rivers in Europe - Beautiful rivers and historic cities

  • 05.04.25 to 22.04.25|17 days

  • HANSEATIC spirit

  • SPI2537

Hamburg - Madeira

05.04.2025 to 22.04.2025|17 days

from € 9.190

17 days Cruise p.p.

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What to expect

The highlights of this cruise

  • Going with the flow: nature and diversity along Europe’s west coast
  • Sightseeing with the best views: cruising under Tower Bridge
  • Overnight lay time in Bordeaux, Lisbon and Seville
  • River and lock passages with knowledgeable commentary from your team of experts
  • Miles of beach and turquoise waters: Porto Santo, insider tip of the Madeira archipelago
  • Tip: You can book the Hamburg pre-program including tickets for a concert in the Elbphilharmonie

  • At anchor

  • Further informations

  • Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden – the anticipation of familiar sights in a new light and undiscovered facets accompanies you on your visit in London. Sail through the Neo-Gothic monument when Tower Bridge opens to allow the HANSEATIC spirit to reach its mooring point in the heart of the city. A moment that is only possible with a small ship. “Welcome to London” – a city of contrasts, with Gothic churches alongside skyscrapers, punks in Camden and the elegant upper class. Unique, lively and enjoyable. The panoramic trip with the London Eye1, for instance, offers you an overview of the different faces of the metropolis. Kings and castles are as much a part of England as the Royal Family in Buckingham Palace. Explore the world’s largest castle with a visit to Windsor Castle1, the Queen’s former favourite residence. Gain completely different insights on the Thames cruise to Greenwich and the Royal Observatory1. In the observatory, you can stand astride the prime meridian with one foot in the British time zone and the other in the Central European time zone. A timeless beauty is the white Queen’s House, originally a royal residence and later a royal naval college. Breathtaking views open up before you as you cruise along the Thames in the evening. As the London skyline slowly disappears behind a bend in the river, your anticipation for the destinations to come is already building.

  • Defying the daily tides and the privateers of the past, two locations on the coast are particularly impressive: the fortified city of St Malo and the monastery island of Mont-Saint-Michel1. Both are shaped by the tides just like Cancale – the Breton oyster capital1.

  • Wild, vast and wonderful: Belle-Ile shows off its beauty in spring. With its breathtaking cliffs, hidden bays and endless sandy beaches, the island attracts visitors from all over the world. Alongside unspoilt nature, experience the dreamily romantic harbour of Le Palais as you stroll along the promenade.

  • Bordeaux is famous for cultural treasures and culinary delights. The HANSEATIC spirit is moored here overnight, so you can also enjoy the evening atmosphere and wander through the illuminated old town. An excursion to the Medoc wine region with a visit to a vineyard1 is bound to quench not only your thirst for knowledge. Oysters, the Atlantic and idyllic sandy beaches characterise the coastal resort of Arcachon and Europe’s largest sand dune1, almost 3 km (1.9 mi.) long and over 100 m (328 ft) high.

  • You will marvel at the gentle rolling hills as a work of art of nature on your cruise on the Gironde, during which the team of experts will provide knowledgeable commentary – like on all river cruises on this trip. The landscape is fresh and green and the mild temperatures already usher in the first signs of spring.

  • Lisbon is built on great seafaring history. Portuguese ships set out from the city to explore the world during the Golden Age of the country. Take the historic tram1 uphill and downhill through the narrow streets and past the most famous landmarks. The numerous steps make your individual explorations on foot a sporty undertaking. Alternatively, the excursion to Sintra and Cascais1 reveals the Garden of Eden reserved for the high society of the 19th century, with its exotic plants and a medieval fortress. Take advantage of the long layover time for a traditional Fado concert in the evening – the melancholic sounds will leave you mesmerised.

  • The spring sun also bathes Portugal’s treasures in a warm light. Once again, you have the best vantage point for this on the many open deck areas or on the deck tour at the bow of the HANSEATIC spirit. The striking red 25 de Abril Bridge, which is reminiscent of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, is a particularly impressive sight to take in on your cruise on the Tagus.

  • Passionate flamenco dancing, the majestic Alcazar and fragrant orange trees – the Andalusian capital of Seville has plenty of exciting things to offer. The central mooring point of the small HANSEATIC spirit is perfect for individual explorations. Wander through the historic centre, enjoy traditional tapas in the vibrant streets or visit the Plaza de Espana, an architectural masterpiece. A walk to the locations in Carmen1 combines art and culture, as does the Alcazar and its gardens1. In the evening, enjoy the hustle and bustle in the lanes in typical Andalusian style with a glass of sherry in a rustic tapas bar.

  • Only a small ship like the HANSEATIC spirit makes a cruise on the Guadalquivir possible. Your experts provide knowledgeable commentary during the passage, and you can enjoy a relaxing time on deck and on the glass balconies with views of the Andalusian landscape.

  • A paradise for hikers and nature lovers, Porto Santo welcomes you to the Madeira archipelago. An island tour1 will reveal many facets of the unique landscape. The sandy beach spanning 9 km (5.5 mi.) is just one example of its idyllic beauty. Alternatively, you can hike on Pico do Castelo1, the only green mountain on the island with many endemic plant species. Reaching Funchal closes the curtain on your eventful cruise, which has provided deep insights into nature and diversity along Europe’s west coast.

Notice about the mooring point in London: the HANSEATIC spirit is moored directly behind Tower Bridge in central London, an option only available to small ships. Official confirmation has been given, although the British authorities reserve the right to change the mooring point in London at short notice.

1 The shore activities are not included in the cruise price and are in the planning stage. Subject to change.

Arrival and departure options

    • Tue, 22.04.2025

      Scheduled flight from Funchal to Germany

      Optionally bookable

Extend your trip

  • Our popular before and after programs include a wide range of excursions and are usually accompanied by experienced Hapag-Lloyd Cruises tour guides. Recommended for travelers who like to share their experiences with a group of like-minded people. Experience selected highlights of your holiday destination and enjoy the amenities of a group trip - we take care of transfers, excursions and overnight stays.

  • Explore your cruise destinations on a more personal basis as a couple – ideal for all those who don’t want to be part of a group. The excursions in the programmes are accompanied by a local tour guide who will be happy to attend to your individual wishes. There will also be enough time and space for your own activities. Transfers are exclusively by private car with private drivers. Prices for solo travellers or groups of three or more are available on request.

Price special

Attractive combination discount

Extend your stay with the previous cruise SPI2536 and save € 1,000 per person (applies to the PLATINUM fare).

Extended fun

Extend your stay with the subsequent cruises SPI2508 and SPI2509 and save € 3,000 per person (applies to PLATINUM fare). 

Included Services

Expedition and information
  • All landings and rides in the ship’s own Zodiacs (Use of the Zodiacs depends on the destination and on official permits)
  • Experienced experts from various disciplines accompany every cruise, give presentations and multimedia lectures, provide well-informed answers to questions about the cruising area and take part in the Zodiac landings/rides and hikes from/to ship
  • Use of the interactive Ocean Academy with individual knowledge formats
  • Comprehensive information before the cruise – for example about the Arctic, Antarctic, the South Seas and the Amazon, as well as expedition maps
Cabin
  • In every cabin: champagne to welcome you, mini bar restocked daily with non-alcoholic beverages (additional selection in Grand Suites and Junior Suites), coffee machine (tea on request), 24-hour cabin service
  • Equipment for loan: one pair of binoculars and two sets of Nordic Walking poles in the cabin itself, furthermore warm parkas, rubber boots, snorkelling equipment
  • Flat-screen TV with information and entertainment programme, personal email account and Internet access via Wi-Fi (free of charge for one hour per guest and day, satellite-dependent especially in polar areas)
  • Information about harbours and destinations (where available) in the cabin
Restaurants
  • International gourmet cuisine – full board: breakfast (early-bird and late riser breakfast), bouillon, afternoon coffee/tea time, lunch and dinner (three restaurants to choose from in the evening with flexible opening hours)
All around carefree
  • German ship and expedition management as well as a mostly German-speaking service crew
  • Harbour and airport fees
  • Cancellation fee insurance (20% excess) in the fares PLATINUM and GOLD
Spa and fitness
  • Extensive sports programme: fitness area with ocean view, course programme, additional sports activities on shore depending on the destination (Personal training for an additional charge)
  • OCEAN SPA with Finnish sauna with an ocean view, steam sauna, indoor and outdoor relaxation area (spa treatments and hairdresser at a surcharge)