Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is looking ahead to summer 2027 with expedition cruises ranging from the Mediterranean-style island landscapes of Europe to the remote Arctic and the wilderness of Alaska. On board the three small expedition ships HANSEATIC nature, HANSEATIC inspiration and HANSEATIC spirit, a maximum of 230 guests can explore some of the world’s most fascinating regions. Zodiac excursions, hikes and expert-led experiences offer in-depth insights into the destinations, while the flexibility of expedition cruising leaves room for unexpected discoveries.
“For Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, an expedition means the opportunity to truly discover places and regions. Our itineraries take us all around the world, and no two routes are the same. Using Zodiacs, we reach remote bays and uninhabited places, observe wildlife in its natural habitat and experience landscapes from perspectives that would be impossible to reach by land. We want to help our guests understand the bigger picture, open up new perspectives and spark their curiosity about the world, while offering them the comfort and service they value on board our ships,” says Isolde Susset, Managing Director of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.
An early booking discount is available on selected itineraries for summer 2027 until 31 October 2026.
Open to Spontaneous Course Changes and Unexpected Discoveries
An expedition, by its very nature, does not follow a fixed itinerary. Weather, wind and ice often determine which route is feasible, while the captain and crew continuously monitor conditions and adjust the course accordingly. Experience, nautical expertise and an expedition ship designed for challenging waters are crucial to making these journeys possible.
Just how surprising such an adventure can be was recently demonstrated during an expedition of HANSEATIC spirit in the Canadian Arctic. Navigating along Ellesmere Island, the ship reached Eureka and sailed into Eureka Sound as far as 80 degrees north. During the expedition, polar bears were sighted, traces of Arctic wolves were discovered and musk oxen were spotted in the distance. It was only the second time since 2015 that Hapag-Lloyd Cruises had reached this remote part of the Arctic.
Such unique moments arise from the interplay of experience, local conditions and the willingness to adapt an itinerary. This flexibility is at the heart of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ expedition philosophy.
Special Expedition Routes in Summer 2027
Expedition cruises offer new perspectives on some of the world’s most remote and fascinating regions, from bird colonies and prehistoric sites in the Orkneys and Shetlands to volcanic landscapes in Iceland, immense glaciers and fjords in Greenland and the wildlife of Alaska. Summer 2027 brings a wide range of opportunities for discovery.
Europe: Island Worlds Rich in Natural and Cultural History
The HANSEATIC nature itinerary “Azores and Channel Islands: From Atlantic Wonderlands to Rarities of Nature Up Close” demonstrates how much potential Europe has to offer for expedition cruises. The adventure begins on São Miguel in the Azores, where volcanic landscapes and opportunities for whale watching set the tone for the journey. The ship then visits Porto and Brittany before exploring the five Channel Islands. As a final highlight, the small expedition ship heads to Helgoland before arriving in Hamburg at the end of May.
The 17-day cruise combines wildlife and nature experiences with the distinctive character of a variety of European islands. It sails from 12 May to 29 May 2027. The cruise is bookable in the PLATINUM fare from €10,750 per person based on double occupancy, including the travel package to the departure point and the early booking discount, valid until 31 October 2026.
The cruise “Wild Scotland and Iceland: From the Highlands to the Land of the Elves” offers a different perspective on Europe’s islands. Departing from Hamburg, HANSEATIC inspiration sails via the Orkney and Shetland Islands to the Outer Hebrides before continuing to Reykjavík in Iceland. Vikings and Stone Age cultures, elves and trolls, volcanoes and dramatic landscapes shape an itinerary where history, mythology and nature merge into an island adventure.
The 13-day cruise sails from 10 June to 23 June 2027 and is bookable in the PLATINUM fare from €9,550 per person based on double occupancy, including the travel package from the arrival point and the early booking discount, valid until 31 October 2026.
Coolcation: Greenland, Svalbard and the North Cape
In the Arctic, the expedition character of these cruises becomes particularly tangible while also connecting with a growing travel trend: the “coolcation”. Travelling to cooler regions is becoming increasingly popular among travellers looking for an alternative to traditional summer destinations.
The cruise “Expedition Northwest Greenland: Untamed Heart of the Arctic” in July 2027 takes guests from Kangerlussuaq to Qaanaaq and Old Thule. Zodiac excursions, hikes and stories from the history of polar exploration are central to the itinerary, which ends back in Kangerlussuaq.
The 12-day expedition sails from 8 July to 20 July 2027 and is bookable in the PLATINUM fare from €14,070 per person based on double occupancy, including the travel package to and from the departure and arrival points and the early booking discount, valid until 31 October 2026.
The HANSEATIC nature itinerary “Expedition Svalbard and Norway (Northern Lights Adventure): Arctic, Adventure and Aurora Borealis” continues south from Longyearbyen to Hamburg. The High Arctic of Svalbard meets the Norwegian landscape of deep fjords, while glaciers and walruses feature alongside the North Cape and the Lofoten Islands. Weather permitting, guests may also have the opportunity to witness the Northern Lights.
The 15-day cruise sails from 17 August to 1 September 2027. It is bookable in the PLATINUM fare from €10,990 per person based on double occupancy, including the travel package to the departure point and the early booking discount, valid until 31 October 2026.
With “Expedition West and East Greenland: Greenland as a Complete Work of Art”, HANSEATIC spirit offers another perspective on Greenland. In September 2027, the expedition travels from Kangerlussuaq to Hamburg, linking the west coast with the rarely visited east of Greenland and the fjords of Northeast Greenland National Park. The journey presents Greenland as an interplay of diverse landscapes and cultures.
The 19-day expedition sails from 8 September to 27 September 2027 and is bookable in the PLATINUM fare from €17,040 per person based on double occupancy, including the travel package to the departure point and the early booking discount, valid until 31 October 2026.
North America: Between Wilderness and Lock Adventures
North America also demonstrates the variety of expedition cruising. On the “Alaska (Inside Passage): Wild, Wide World of Wonders” itinerary, the wilderness takes centre stage. The expedition departs from Seward and follows the Inside Passage south to Vancouver. Guests have opportunities to spot bears, whales, orcas and bald eagles around Kodiak Island and in Katmai National Park.
Fjords and glaciers form part of the scenery, while calls at towns such as Kake, Petersburg and Ketchikan offer insights into Alaska’s history and culture. The 16-day expedition sails from 12 July to 28 July 2027 and is bookable in the PLATINUM fare from €14,650 per person based on double occupancy, including the travel package to and from the departure and arrival points and the early booking discount, valid until 31 October 2026.
The cruise “Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River: City, Countryside and Lakes” aboard HANSEATIC inspiration connects Canada’s Atlantic coast with the Great Lakes, sailing from Halifax to Milwaukee. The itinerary links Québec City and Montréal via the St. Lawrence River, the Thousand Islands and the Great Lakes.
One of the highlights is the passage through numerous locks and the Welland Canal, offering a glimpse into the technical and geographical features of one of the world’s largest continuous freshwater systems. Hikes, Zodiac excursions and wildlife observations provide further opportunities to explore the spectacular landscapes of Ontario.
The 22-day cruise sails from 10 September to 2 October 2027 and is bookable in the PLATINUM fare from €17,430 per person based on double occupancy, including the travel package to and from the departure and arrival points and the early booking discount, valid until 31 October 2026.
Photo credit Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
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