Icebergs, glaciers, walruses and seals: for children taking part in the Young Explorers programme from Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, they are not only impressive travel experiences but also an engaging way to learn. During selected expeditions to Iceland, Svalbard and Greenland, children and teenagers aged 10 to 17 experience the polar regions at close range.
Aboard the HANSEATIC nature, HANSEATIC inspiration and HANSEATIC spirit, the emphasis is on discovering things for themselves. Young travellers can examine plankton under a microscope, travel between icebergs by Zodiac or explore the Greenlandic landscape on hikes. With a little luck, walruses and seals may also appear along the way.
The itinerary is never completely fixed. Weather conditions, sea ice and official permits all influence how an expedition day unfolds. This flexibility is part of the experience: young participants not only learn about nature but also discover how closely an expedition depends on its surroundings.
Science Comes to Life
The young explorers are accompanied by experienced expedition experts, including glaciologist Benjamin Schröter. He shares his knowledge of oceans, glaciers and polar regions in an engaging way, encouraging children to ask questions and make their own discoveries.
Benjamin Schröter: “Children want to experience things for themselves. When they see a glacier or spot a whale for the first time, these experiences stay with them forever. When, at the end of the day, a child says, ‘That was the best day of my life,’ then I know why I do this job.”
The programme complements Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ educational offering for adult expedition guests and is tailored to the interests of younger participants. The Young Explorers programme takes place when there are at least five young guests on board.
Sometimes the Ocean Academy is the focus, where plankton samples are examined under a microscope. On other days, the group heads ashore for an exploration hike or gets a behind-the-scenes look at the expedition ship. Along the way, conversations about glaciers and the vulnerability of polar habitats arise naturally.
Curiosity as the Guiding Principle
For Isolde Susset, Managing Director of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, this curiosity is at the heart of the programme. Isolde Susset: “The core of every expedition is curiosity: the willingness to ask questions and see the world through different eyes. Anyone who experiences just how fascinating and worthy of protection our natural world is at an early age will carry this awareness with them.”
The expeditions also offer more than new knowledge. Many young participants return home with new friendships that extend beyond the days they spend together on board.
19 Expeditions for Young Explorers
There are currently 19 Voyages for Young Explorers scheduled during school holidays through the end of 2028. The programme extends well beyond the far north, with options including Northern Lights adventures in Norway, expeditions around Svalbard and voyages to Newfoundland and the St. Lawrence River. The Azores are also part of the programme.
One expedition that fits particularly well with the Young Explorers concept is the Expedition Svalbard Circumnavigation. The ten-day journey from Tromsø to Longyearbyen follows a flexible route through one of the world’s great remaining wilderness areas, passing glaciers, deep fjords and striking Arctic landscapes.
Zodiac excursions offer opportunities to look for walruses and seals, while expedition experts share insights into geology, climate and polar research. Weather and ice conditions ultimately determine the route and whether a complete circumnavigation of Svalbard can be achieved.
The expedition departs from 12 to 22 July 2027 and is available in the PLATINUM fare from €32,240 for two adults and one Young Explorer, including charter flights and an early booking discount. The discount is valid until 31 October 2026.
Photo credit Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
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