Hapag-Lloyd Expedition
German precision and five-star comfort on small, ice-capable ships built for the ends of the earth.
Luxury expedition, the German way
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is Germany’s premier luxury cruise name, and its expedition side is built around three modern sister ships, HANSEATIC inspiration, HANSEATIC nature and HANSEATIC spirit. Each carries only about 230 guests, holds a Polar Class 6 ice rating and pairs a genuine expedition capability with the polish of a five-star ship.
The line traces its cruising heritage to 1891, when Hapag sent the first purpose-built pleasure ship to sea. Today the brand is operated under TUI Cruises and remains a byword for German engineering, understated luxury and destinations that larger ships simply cannot reach.
These are true expedition vessels, with reinforced hulls, a fleet of Zodiacs and, on two of the ships, a retractable glass balcony that extends over the water. They sail from the Antarctic and the Arctic to the Amazon, the South Pacific and remote coastlines in between.
- Style
- Luxury expedition
- Expedition ships
- 3 HANSEATIC vessels
- Guests
- About 230
- Ice class
- Polar Class 6
- Sails to
- Poles to tropics
- Operated by
- TUI Cruises
“Hapag-Lloyd brings German engineering and five-star service to places most ships never see, and does it with barely two hundred guests aboard.”
Small ships, serious expedition credentials
The three HANSEATIC ships were purpose-built for expedition travel, with ice-strengthened hulls rated Polar Class 6, a full complement of Zodiacs and expert expedition teams aboard. At roughly 230 guests each they are small enough to enter fjords, rivers and bays that bigger ships pass by.
HANSEATIC inspiration and HANSEATIC nature feature a retractable glass balcony and a bow platform that bring guests almost to the waterline for wildlife and landings. It is expedition capability without any compromise on comfort.
Five-star comfort and cuisine at the edge of the map
Life aboard is refined without being stiff. Suites are spacious and contemporary, dining spans several restaurants with cuisine that has earned the line a loyal following, and the atmosphere leans relaxed and destination-focused rather than showy.
The HANSEATIC inspiration now sails as a fully bilingual ship for German and English speaking guests, so international travelers share the same expert lectures, landings and service that made the German fleet famous.
From Antarctica to the Amazon
The HANSEATIC ships range widely across the seasons. Antarctic voyages cross the Drake Passage from Ushuaia to the peninsula and the Weddell Sea, while the northern summer brings Svalbard, Greenland and the high Arctic.
Between the poles the fleet explores the Amazon, the Chilean fjords, the South Pacific and Southeast Asia, so there is nearly always a HANSEATIC ship somewhere remarkable. We help you match the right ship, season and itinerary to the expedition you have in mind.
Because Hapag-Lloyd Expedition Antarctic voyages leave from Ushuaia, it is easy to add an Argentina and Uruguay tour before you sail south.
Why book through us
Exclusive Hapag-Lloyd value
Group amenities and onboard credit on qualifying HANSEATIC sailings that you will not find booking direct.
Combinable offers
Our exclusive value can usually be layered with Hapag-Lloyd’s current promotions, plus full loyalty credit.
Expedition specialists
Advisors who know the HANSEATIC ships and their polar seasons, and match the right voyage, cabin and departure to you.
Seamless land and sea
Because we run our own tours ashore, we make it easy to add a CDV land stay where your Antarctic voyage begins or ends.
Sail from Ushuaia, then savor Argentina before you fly home
HANSEATIC Antarctic voyages begin and end in Argentina, at the tip of the continent. Add a Culture Discovery stay in Buenos Aires and the Argentine countryside and you bookend the ice with the food, wine and warmth of South America.
More expedition cruises we love
Quark Expeditions
A dedicated polar specialist with purpose-built ships for the Arctic and Antarctica.
Explore Quark ExpeditionsNational Geographic-Lindblad
Expedition sailing paired with National Geographic scientists, naturalists and photographers.
Explore National Geographic-LindbladPoseidon Expeditions
A polar-focused line known for all-suite comfort on small expedition ships.
Explore Poseidon ExpeditionsHurtigruten Expeditions
Norwegian expedition heritage across the Arctic, Antarctica and beyond.
Explore Hurtigruten ExpeditionsFrequently asked questions
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Ready to sail with Hapag-Lloyd Expedition?
Complimentary quote, exclusive CDV value, and a specialist who plans it around you.