Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is adding a third expedition cruise ship to its fleet: the Hanseatic Spirit. Hapag-Lloyd’s parent company, TUI Group, reports that it has signed an agreement with the Norwegian Vard shipyard for the new vessel, which is scheduled to launch in the second quarter of 2021.
The new ship will be the first “adults-only” ship in Hapag-Lloyd’s fleet, and it will be structurally identical to the other two new ships on tap for the cruise line, Hanseatic Nature and Hanseatic Inspiration. The three new ships will have the highest polar ice rating, PC6, for cruises in the Arctic and Antarctica, as well as a number of environmentally friendly features. There will also be onboard Zodiacs and a water sports marina. The ships will also offer itineraries in the Amazon region.
The Hanseatic Nature will debut in spring 2019, primarily targeting Hapag-Lloyd’s German-speaking clientele, while the Hanseatic Inspiration will set sail in autumn 2019, targeting both English- and German-speaking markets. The two ships will be structurally identical, with a capacity of 230 passengers each (dropping to 199 on Arctic/Antarctic itineraries), although some details, such as dining concepts, will differ between the two.
The ships will have a number of opportunities for guests to learn about the destination. They will sail with a minimum 16-member expedition team, and the “Hanse Atrium” will provide space for daily expert lectures and other talks. In the ships’ Ocean Academies, a large touchscreen media wall will provide an interactive exploration of the ships’ routes.
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