29 September 2026 — Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has highlighted selected summer 2027 expedition voyages aboard HANSEATIC nature, HANSEATIC inspiration and HANSEATIC spirit, with itineraries spanning European islands, the Arctic, Alaska and the Great Lakes.
The three small expedition ships accommodate up to 230 guests each and offer Zodiac excursions, hikes and destination-focused expert guidance. An early-booking offer applies to selected summer 2027 voyages until 31 October 2026.
In a quotation translated from German, Isolde Susset, Managing Director, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, said: “For Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, expedition means truly discovering a place. Our routes take us around the world, and no two itineraries are the same. With the Zodiac, we reach remote bays and uninhabited places, observe wildlife in its natural environment and experience landscapes from perspectives that would not be possible by land. We want to help our guests understand connections, open up new perspectives and awaken their curiosity about the world, while offering them the comfort and service they value on board our ships.”
Expedition routes remain responsive to conditions
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises said expedition itineraries do not necessarily follow a fixed schedule, with weather, wind and ice conditions influencing the route. Captains and crews monitor conditions throughout each voyage and adjust the course when required, supported by nautical expertise and ships designed for demanding waters.
A recent HANSEATIC spirit expedition in the Canadian Arctic illustrated this approach. While travelling along Ellesmere Island, the ship reached Eureka and sailed through Eureka Sound to 80 degrees north. Guests observed polar bears, found traces of Arctic wolves and saw musk oxen in the distance. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises said this was only the second time since 2015 that it had reached this remote part of the Arctic.
European itineraries combine islands, wildlife and culture
Among the 2027 European expeditions is a 17-day HANSEATIC nature voyage from São Miguel in the Azores to Hamburg from 12 to 29 May. The itinerary combines the volcanic landscapes and whale-watching opportunities of the Azores with Porto, Brittany, all five Channel Islands and Helgoland before arriving in Hamburg.
HANSEATIC inspiration will also operate a 13-day voyage from Hamburg to Reykjavik from 10 to 23 June, visiting the Orkney Islands, Shetland Islands and Outer Hebrides before continuing to Iceland. The programme combines archaeological sites, island culture and volcanic landscapes across Scotland and Iceland.
Arctic programme spans Greenland, Svalbard and Norway
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is also highlighting several colder-climate itineraries under the growing “Coolcation” travel theme.
A 12-day HANSEATIC inspiration expedition to Northwest Greenland from 8 to 20 July will travel from Kangerlussuaq towards Qaanaaq and Old Thule before returning to Kangerlussuaq.
HANSEATIC nature will sail from Longyearbyen to Hamburg between 17 August and 1 September on a 15-day Svalbard and Norway expedition. The itinerary combines Svalbard, Norwegian fjords, the North Cape and the Lofoten Islands, with the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights if conditions permit.
In September, HANSEATIC spirit will operate a 19-day West and East Greenland voyage from Kangerlussuaq to Hamburg, combining Greenland’s west coast with the less frequently visited east coast and the fjords of Northeast Greenland National Park.
North American voyages include Alaska and Great Lakes
The summer programme also includes a 16-day Alaska Inside Passage expedition aboard HANSEATIC spirit from Seward to Vancouver from 12 to 28 July.
The itinerary visits areas around Kodiak Island and Katmai National Park, with opportunities to observe bears, whales, orcas and bald eagles, alongside fjords, glaciers and communities including Kake, Petersburg and Ketchikan.
HANSEATIC inspiration will also operate a 22-day Great Lakes and St Lawrence River voyage from Halifax to Milwaukee from 10 September to 2 October. The itinerary includes Québec, Montréal, the Thousand Islands, the Great Lakes and passage through the Welland Canal, alongside hiking, Zodiac excursions and wildlife observation in Ontario.
Source: Official Press Release from Hapag Lloyd Cruises on 29 September 2026
