Between ice, spirit of discovery, and animal paradises: Hapag-Lloyd Cruises takes guests to the Weddell Sea, Cape Horn, and Chile's fjords

Majestic icebergs, floating ice formations, and penguin paradises: Hapag-Lloyd Cruises offers fascinating perspectives on the icy south with several routes, including a premiere with a record share of the rarely visited Weddell Sea. With its 2025/2026 Antarctic routes, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises once again underscores its expedition expertise. The grand Antarctic route with stops in the Falkland Islands and South Georgia, sailing through rarely visited waters such as the Weddell Sea, and intense nature experiences, including snowshoe hikes and Zodiac rides along impressive ice formations, are aimed at travel-savvy guests with a strong spirit of discovery. Isolde Susset, Managing Director of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises: “Our voyages to Antarctica offer extraordinary experiences that meet the highest standards of comfort and quality on board our expedition ships. Experts enrich the voyages with their in-depth knowledge. Our guests consciously choose experiences that will stay with them, perhaps even changing them a little. In the silence of remote landscapes, they find peace, reflection, and a deep appreciation for the beauty and majesty of nature.”

What all Antarctic voyages have in common is immersion in one of the most remote and unspoiled regions on Earth. Accompanied by experts and experienced expedition leaders, the routes become voyages of discovery with depth – characterized by intense encounters with wildlife, moving history, and the quiet grandeur of a landscape that is second to none.

Premiere: Expedition to the Weddell Sea (SPI2601)

For the first time, the rarely visited Weddell Sea is the focus of a longer expedition route. Over 22 days, the HANSEATIC spirit will devote itself intensively to the eastern part of the Antarctic Peninsula – a region considered particularly pristine and ice-rich. The route leads along the pack ice edge, past table icebergs and ice fields typical of the Weddell Sea in the Antarctic summer. It is the coldest sea on Earth. The HANSEATIC spirit, specially designed for this region with the highest ice class for passenger ships (PC6), and the crew's many years of experience guarantee a safe and confident crossing of these challenging waters.

Among the destinations are the historic sites of Paulet Island and Devil Island. Here, in 1903, part of the Swedish Nordenskjöld expedition survived for almost a year in the ice, while today thousands of Adelie penguins dominate the scene. The Shackleton expedition left behind a fascinating chapter in polar exploration in the Weddell Sea: in 1915, the expedition ship Endurance was trapped in the ice and has been lying almost intact on the seabed ever since, an impressive testament to the achievements of early explorers.

Intensive wildlife viewing, striking landscapes, and plenty of time for landings with the ship's Zodiacs make this route a true voyage of discovery.

Between granite peaks and ice giants: Antarctica meets Chile's fjords 
(SPI2600 & INS2602)

These expeditions combine two of the most impressive natural areas in the southern hemisphere: the deeply indented fjord world of Chile and the vast, silent landscapes of Antarctica. Along the South American coast, the HANSEATIC spirit will cruise through a labyrinth of waterways lined with towering granite walls, glaciers, and some active volcanoes at Christmas and New Year's Eve 2025, and the HANSEATIC inspiration will do the same in February 2026. From Zodiacs and from the ship, guests will enjoy views of fascinating natural landscapes and Magellanic penguins, whales, and seals. The scenery changes from green rainforest to barren rocky landscapes.

After crossing the Drake Passage, guests will find themselves in another world: Antarctica with its table icebergs, clear air, and a palette of blues and whites. The voyage offers landings at locations that provide deep insights into two very different but equally fascinating natural regions.

Antarctic Expedition with Cape Horn: In the footsteps of great seafarers (SPI2602)

This route combines the natural wonders of Antarctica with a stopover at one of the most iconic locations in maritime history: Cape Horn. For centuries, the southernmost point of South America was considered a challenge for sailors. The voyage with the HANSEATIC spirit includes a landing at the cape, weather permitting. Those who reach this point on foot will be joining a long tradition of nautical pioneering achievements. The route then continues through the Drake Passage towards Antarctica – to ice formations, glaciers, and a rich variety of wildlife.

From penguin colonies and drifting icebergs to rugged coastlines, the seventh continent shows itself from its most impressive side. The combination with the legendary Cape Horn makes this expedition a special journey and the only one of its kind in the Hapag-Lloyd Cruises program until the end of 2027.

All Antarctic voyages at: Senses - Antarctica | Hapag-Lloyd Cruises