HANSEATIC inspiration: publication of the 2019/2020 route preview

Diverse routes
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ two new expedition ships will both hold a Polar Class 6 (PC6), the highest ice class ranking for passenger ships. In addition to Arctic cruises in the European summer and expeditions to the Antarctic in the European winter, the HANSEATIC nature and HANSEATIC inspiration will set sail for the Amazon, the Chilean fjords, the Azores and Cape Verde. The cruises range from short four-day cruises to the Frisian Islands, to 20-day expedition trips to the Antarctic.

After almost a decade, the Germany-based cruise operator will be returning to the Great Lakes in North America with the HANSEATIC inspiration. With a retractable bridge wing, the special design of the HANSEATIC inspiration makes it possible for the ship to pass through the narrow locks.

The maiden voyages
The maiden voyages of the two ships will be in Europe. On its 13-day maiden voyage, the HANSEATIC nature will sail from Hamburg to Lisbon in April 2019. Guests on the four subsequent nine-day cruises will also have the opportunity to get to know the new ship in European waters. The HANSEATIC inspiration will complete its maiden voyage from Antwerp to Tenerife in October 2019.

Six different types of suite and cabin
The preview provides potential guests with insight into the two ships, and an overview of the various types of suites and cabins: the 120 cabins and suites range from 22 m² (236 ft²) for a Panorama Cabin to 71 m² (764 ft²) for a Grand Suite. There are exclusively outside cabins on board the HANSEATIC nature and HANSEATIC inspiration, almost all of which feature their own balconies or a French balcony.

HANSEATIC nature and HANSEATIC inspiration: the new expedition class
The new small ships can accommodate up to 230 guests, or only 199 guests on Antarctic cruises. The almost identical ships raise the bar in the expeditionary cruise segment, and feature numerous structural elements that make the expeditionary experience even more intense. Retractable glass balconies give guests the feeling of hovering directly above the water, and guests can stand on the circuit on the bow of the ship to be closer to the action, even closer than the captain. The new ships have also been given a special visual feature: a blue, undulating finish on the hull.

Prebookings for dream cruises are now possible
Guests interested in their dream cruise can now make a pre-booking; final bookings will be open in late January 2018.

Sample routes

HANSEATIC inspiration:
Maiden voyage, 14.10. – 29.10.2019 (15 days) from Antwerp, Belgium to Tenerife, Spain including travel via France (Honfleur), the Channel Islands (Guernsey), Spain (including La Coruna, Islas Cies), Portugal (overnight in Lisbon, Portimao), Morocco (Casablanca), Madeira (Porto Santo Island, and overnight in Funchal).

HANSEATIC inspiration:
Expedition Amazon, 25.03 – 11.04.2020 (17 days) from Belem to Iquitos: upstream on the Lower and Upper Amazon with numerous expedition activities and Zodiac landings (via Manaus).

HANSEATIC inspiration:
The Great Lakes, 03.06 – 17.06.2020 (14 days) with cruises on the Detroit River, Lake Huron (including Tobermory, Parry Sound and Mackinac Island), Sault Ste. Marie, Lake Superior (including Thunder Bay), and Lake Michigan.

The HANSEATIC nature will be a German-speaking ship, with all cruises conducted in German only. The HANSEATIC inspiration will be an international ship, with all cruises conducted in both English and German.

Hamburg, August 2017