Attended by invite-only, VIP guests, on the night Helena Warren, Managing Director of The Luxury Network UK, presented the Award to Michael Steffl, Head of International Sales, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.
On receiving the prestigious Award, Julian Pfitzner, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, commented: “It is particularly rewarding to be the recipient of this ‘Luxury Cruise Company of the Year’ accolade, being recognized as an outstanding cruise operator alongside so many other luxury brands acknowledged in these Award categories. I am honoured to accept this award on behalf of the crew on board and ashore whose hard work is reflected in achieving this recognition.”
The Luxury Network is the world’s leading, luxury affinity marketing group working with top international brands; and the Awards event traditionally is held annually – though not since 2020 – and recognize successful companies and individuals who have made an outstanding success in the luxury industry. The judging panel for the Awards comprises senior key experts in the luxury business. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has been a UK member of the Luxury Network for several years, which has enabled access to partnerships with other luxury brands, resulting in mutually beneficial business outcomes.
Internationally, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is renowned as the leading cruise brand in the luxury and expedition segments, currently with five ships in its fleet: the luxury ships EUROPA, EUROPA 2; and expedition ships HANSEATIC nature, HANSEATIC inspiration and HANSEATIC spirit.
Seatrade Cruise Med Awards 2022, Malaga, Spain: September 14:
Taking place at this year’s Seatrade Cruise Med Awards Ceremony in Malaga last month, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has also been recognized and won through in the category ‘Expedition Cruise Initiative of the Year’. The judging panel, comprising of experts from the international cruise industry, honoured the innovative concept of the ‘Indian Summer route to Swedish and Finnish Lapland’ operated by HANSEATIC spirit in Autumn 2021 – a true first, a premiere not only for Hapag-Lloyd Cruises but also for the industry in the expedition cruise sector.
Julian Pfitzner: “I am very humbled that Hapag-Lloyd Cruises received the prestigious Seatrade Cruise Award for the "Expedition Cruise Initiative of the Year". The award encourages us to keep exploring new shores and creating special experiences for our guests. Our expedition voyages in European waters are unique and demonstrate that new territory can be discovered without having to travel long distances. Only together and with our dedicated local partners, the ports and destinations, we are able to offer extraordinary routes.”
In recent years, the cruise line has expanded in the expedition sector, now operating three, state-of-the-art, 230 passenger ships – HANSEATIC nature, HANSEATIC inspiration, and the most recent HANSEATIC spirit launched in 2021.
Reservations: International guests, as well as travel agencies, can make use of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ free-of-charge phone numbers when requesting or booking a cruise. United Kingdom: 0800 0513 829, United States & Canada: 877 445 7447 or 800 334-2724, Belgium: 0800 79 421, Netherlands: 0800 0220 459; all other countries, please call +49 40 30703070 (English-speaking hotline) – or send an email to salesteam(at)hl-cruises.com or visit www.hl-cruises.com/contact-services for local agents.
For more information on Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ exciting destinations and itineraries, visit www.hl-cruises.com. All press releases and a picture gallery can be found at www.hl-cruises.com/press.
Social Media: Connect with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises on Facebook (Hapag-Lloyd Cruises), Twitter (@HLCruisesInt) and Instagram #Hapaglloydcruises.
Hamburg, October 2022