The Way Forward for international cruising with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises

• EUROPA 2 and HANSEATIC inspiration resume international cruising from January 2022
• The highest protection and hygiene measures are in place, mandatory vaccination status for guests and crew amongst them
• In the 2022/23 season EUROPA 2 will operate 53 cruises and HANSEATIC inspiration 39, all welcoming English-Speaking guests
• Itineraries for both ships are published through to September 2023 and bookable

Luxury and expedition cruise line Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has announced its two ships in the fleet built for the international marketplace – EUROPA 2 and HANSEATIC inspiration – will resume operation of bilingual cruises from January 2022.

Says Julian Pfitzner, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Hapag-Lloyd Cruises: “Due to the global pandemic, our cruise programme did recommence in Summer 2020, when we hosted only guests from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. However, from 1^st January next year we are now thrilled to be welcoming back on board EUROPA 2 and HANSEATIC inspiration our fully-vaccinated, international guests of all nationalities.”

The 5-stars plus rated** EUROPA 2 will start the New Year in the Indian Ocean - on Mauritius, the Seychelles and Reunion; and will sail on to South Africa, Cape Verde and the Canary Islands, visiting the Azores and Madeira.

For international guests on board expedition ship HANSEATIC inspiration, exciting destinations await in 2022/23: Antarctica and the Arctic; the Great Lakes of North America; South America, including the Panama Canal and the Chilean Fjords, as well as Cape Verde and the Canary Islands.

In line with protocols, guest numbers will be adjusted on board both EUROPA 2 and HANSEATIC inspiration. All nationalities of English-speaking guests will be welcomed on board, depending upon being given the continuous permission of both national and international port authorities.

Julian Pfitzner continues: “Always a priority to Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, the highest standards of hygiene and protection measures, of course, will be in place for all our passengers aboard EUROPA 2 and HANSEATIC inspiration. We can even guarantee a 100% fresh air supply in the suites and cabins, as well as all public areas.”

Travelling with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has always meant enjoying the luxury of spacious interiors with fewer fellow travellers on board the small luxury and expedition ships in the fleet. Spacious outside suites and cabins, a high proportion of which have balconies, provide places to retreat to.

Keeping the number of crew at the usual high level, while reducing passenger numbers, means ensuring the highest standards of personal and attentive service. This enables more individual service and more resources for implementing the hygiene measures. All guests aged 18 years and over at the start of the cruise, who have been fully vaccinated for Covid-19, are eligible to travel; this also includes procedures for crew members.

More detailed information available at: https://www.hl-cruises.com/travel-safely/faq

Example EUROPA 2 cruises in 2022:

Like Being in Paradise (EUX2231): From 5-17 January (12 nights), departing from/to Port Louis, Mauritius and sailing to Le Port, Reunion, France; Mahe, Praslin; La Digue, Seychelles. From GBP 6,860 per person (double occupancy) in Guaranteed Silver (Category 1-2) accommodation, cruise only. EUR 7,790 / USD 8,960. 

More information online at: https://www.hl-cruises.com/cruisefinder/EUX2231#overview

Fascinating South Africa (EUX2234):

From 14-28 February (14 nights) departing from/to Cape Town, South Africa and sailing to Luderitz and Walvis Bay, Namibia; Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), Durban, and Mossel Bay, South Africa. From GBP 7,740 per person (double occupancy) in Guaranteed Silver (Category 1-2) accommodation, cruise only. EUR 8,790 / USD 10,110.

More information online at::https://www.hl-cruises.com/cruisefinder/EUX2234#overview

Example HANSEATIC inspiration cruises in 2023:

Grand Expedition Antarctica (INS2302): From 24 January to 9 February (16 nights) departing Ushuaia and sailing to Stanley, Falkland Islands; South Georgia; South Orkney Islands; Weddell Sea; Antarctica Peninsula; and the Drake Passage.

From GBP 11,780 per person (double occupancy), Guaranteed Outside Cabin, cruise only and including round trip charter flight. EUR 13,386 / USD 15,400.

More information online at:https://www.hl-cruises.com/cruisefinder/INS2302#overview

Great Lakes – the American Dream (INS2312): From 12 to 23 June (10 nights) departing Windsor, Detroit and sailing to: Parry Sound/Lake Huron; Killarney; Tobermory; Sault Ste. Marie/Saint Marys River; Mackinac Island/Lake Huron; Sturgeon Bay/Lake Michigan; Milwaukee and Chicago Lake Michigan

From GBP 5,920 per person (double occupancy), Guaranteed Outside Cabin, cruise only. EUR 6,720 / USD 7,730.

More information online at:https://www.hl-cruises.com/cruisefinder/INS2312#overview

** Rated the best cruise ship in the world by the Berlitz Cruise Guide every single year since EUROPA 2 launched in 2013

Hamburg, October 2021