Hapag-Lloyd, the Germany-based cruise operator, has unveiled a preview of the 2019 and 2020 itineraries for its newest sibling ships: the HANSEATIC inspiration and the HANSEATIC nature. Travelers can anticipate a mixture of short and long cruises to nearby destinations (from Germany) and remote expedition regions aboard these ships. The HANSEATIC inspiration, set for a late 2019-early 2020 launch, will be an international ship, catering to both English and German-speaking guests. The HANSEATIC nature will cater to German-speaking guests exclusively, and will launch in April 2019.
Both ships will hold a Polar Class 6 (PC6) designation, the highest ice class ranking for passenger ships, as both ships will be sailing Arctic cruises in the European summer and expeditions to the Antarctic in the European winter. In addition, the HANSEATIC nature and HANSEATIC inspiration will also set sail for the Amazon, the Chilean fjords, the Azores and Cape Verde. Cruises will range from short four-day cruises to the Frisian Islands, to 20-day expeditions to Antarctica.
Notably, the cruise operator will also be returning to the Great Lakes in North America for the first time in almost a decade on a cruise itinerary aboard the HANSEATIC inspiration. The HANSEATIC inspiration’s special retractable bridge wing allows the ship to pass through the narrow locks of the Great Lakes.
Both ships have 120 cabins and suites ranging from 22 square meters (236 square feet) for a Panorama Cabin to 71 square meters (764 square feet) for a Grand Suite. There are also exclusively outside cabins with their own balconies or a French balcony on board both vessels. The nearly identical ships can accommodate up to 230 guests (199 on Antarctic cruises). Retractable glass balconies give guests the feeling of hovering directly above the water.
The two ships’ inaugural voyages will take place in Europe. The HANSEATIC nature will sail from Hamburg to Lisbon in April 2019, while the HANSEATIC inspiration will complete its maiden voyage from Antwerp to Tenerife in October 2019.
Here are some sample routes aboard the HANSEATIC inspiration:
HANSEATIC inspiration:
Maiden voyage, October 14-29, 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, March 25-April 11, 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, June 3-17, 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.
Prebookings for these ships’ itineraries are now possible. Final bookings will be open in January 2018. For more information, visit hl-cruises.com.
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