Where the plan ends, the expedition begins: travel inspiration for the summer to come

As summer 2026 has come to an end, it’s time to plan summer 2027. From Mediterranean island climates to the chill of Arctic environments – next summer, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises will take guests on expeditions to European island worlds, the High Arctic and the Alaskan wilderness, among other destinations. A maximum of 230 guests respectively can sail on the three small expedition ships HANSEATIC nature, HANSEATIC inspiration and HANSEATIC spirit. Zodiac rides, hikes and in-depth expert guidance offer unique insights into the destinations visited.

“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 Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. An early booking discount is available until 31 Oct 2026 for selected itineraries next summer. All cruises can be found at www.hl-cruises.com/discoveries2027.

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. The captain and crew constantly monitor conditions and adjust the course accordingly. Experience, nautical expertise and an expedition ship designed for challenging waters are crucial for this.

Just how surprising such an adventure can be was recently demonstrated by an expedition of the HANSEATIC spirit in the Canadian Arctic. Navigating along Ellesmere Island, the ship reached Eureka and sailed into Eureka Sound as far as a latitude of 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 a route flexibly. And this is precisely what sets the expedition philosophy of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises apart.

Special expedition routes in summer 2027

Expeditions open up new perspectives on special regions of the world: bird colonies, prehistoric sites in the Orkneys and Shetlands, volcanic landscapes in Iceland, mighty glaciers and fjords in Greenland, or the wildlife of Alaska. The coming summer holds a wealth of discoveries in store:

Europe: island worlds rich in natural and cultural history

The route of the HANSEATIC nature “Azores and Channel Islands: from Atlantic wonderlands to rarities of nature up close” demonstrates just how much potential Europe has to offer for expeditions. The adventure begins in Sao Miguel in the Azores. Volcanic landscapes and opportunities for whale watching are followed by stops in Porto, Brittany and the five Channel Islands. As a final highlight, the small ship heads to Helgoland before finally arriving in Hamburg at the end of May. The cruise thus combines observations of nature with a variety of different European islands. From 12 May to 29 May 2027 (17 days). Bookable in the PLATINUM fare from € 10,750 per person, double occupancy, including travel package to departure point and early booking discount, valid until 31 Oct 2026. For more information, visit: www.hl-cruises.com/NAT2710

The cruise “Wild Scotland and Iceland: from the highlands to the land of the elves” offers a different perspective on the islands of Europe. Departing from Hamburg, the HANSEATIC inspiration sails via the Orkney and Shetland Islands to the Outer Hebrides and on to Reykjavik in Iceland. Vikings and Stone Age people, elves and trolls as well as volcanoes characterise a cruise in which history, myths and nature merge into an island adventure. From 10 Jun to 23 Jun 2027 (13 days). Bookable in the PLATINUM fare from € 9,550 per person, double occupancy, including travel package from arrival point and early booking discount, valid until 31 Oct 2026. For more information, visit: www.hl-cruises.com/INS2710

Coolcation: Greenland, Svalbard and the North Cape

In the Arctic, the expedition-style nature of the cruise becomes tangible and, at the same time, taps into a current travel trend: “Coolcation”. Travelling to cooler regions is gaining in popularity.

The cruise “Expedition Northwest Greenland: untamed heart of the Arctic” in July 2027 takes guests from Kangerlussuaq to Qaanaaq and Old Thule. Zodiac rides, hikes and the history of polar expeditions characterise the itinerary, which ends back in Kangerlussuaq. From 8 Jul to 20 Jul 2027 (12 days). Bookable in the PLATINUM fare from € 14,070 per person, double occupancy, including travel package to and from departure and arrival points and early booking discount, valid until 31 Oct 2026. For more information, visit: www.hl-cruises.com/INS2712

The route of the HANSEATIC nature “Expedition Svalbard and Norway (Northern Lights adventure): Arctic, adventure and aurora borealis” continues northwards from Longyearbyen to Hamburg. The High Arctic of Svalbard meets the Norwegian landscape of fjords. Glaciers and walruses are on the itinerary as are the North Cape and the Lofoten Islands. Weather permitting, there is also the chance to witness the Northern Lights. From 17 Aug to 1 Sep 2027 (15 days). Bookable in the PLATINUM fare from € 10,990 per person, double occupancy, including travel package to departure point and early booking discount, valid until 31 Oct 2026. For more information, visit: www.hl-cruises.com/NAT2718

The HANSEATIC spirit offers a different perspective with “Expedition West and East Greenland: Greenland as a complete work of art”. In September 2027, the expedition takes guests from Kangerlussuaq to Hamburg, linking the west coast with the seldom visited east of Greenland and the fjords of Northeast Greenland National Park. Greenland will thus be experienced as an interplay of diverse landscapes and cultures. From 8 Sep to 27 Sep 2027 (19 days). Bookable in the PLATINUM fare from € 17,040 per person, double occupancy, including travel package to departure point and early booking discount, valid until 31 Oct 2026. For more information, visit: www.hl-cruises.com/SPI2714

North America: between wilderness and lock adventures

North America also reveals just how varied expeditions can be. On the route “Alaska (Inside Passage): wild, wide world of wonders”, the wilderness takes centre stage. The expedition sets off from Seward and takes guests along the Inside Passage down to Vancouver. There are opportunities to spot bears, whales, orcas and bald eagles on and around Kodiak Island and in Katmai National Park. Fjords and glaciers can be admired as well as towns including Kake, Petersburg and Ketchikan, which offer insights into Alaska’s history and culture. From 12 Jul to 28 July 2027 (16 days). Bookable in the PLATINUM fare from € 14,650 per person, double occupancy, including travel package to and from departure and arrival points and early booking discount, valid until 31 Oct 2026. For more information, visit: www.hl-cruises.com/SPI2711

The cruise “Great Lakes and the St Lawrence River: city, countryside and lakes” with the HANSEATIC inspiration – sailing from Halifax on Canada’s Atlantic coast to Milwaukee – connects Quebec and Montreal via an itinerary along the St Lawrence River, the Thousand Islands and the Great Lakes. A particular highlight is the passage through numerous locks and the Welland Canal, offering a glimpse of the technical and geographical features of one of the world’s largest continuous freshwater systems. Hikes, Zodiac rides and wildlife observations also provide opportunities to explore the spectacular nature of Ontario. From 10 Sep to 2 Oct 2027 (22 days). Bookable in the PLATINUM fare from € 17,430 per person, double occupancy, including travel package to and from departure and arrival points and early booking discount, valid until 31 Oct 2026. For more information, visit: www.hl-cruises.com/INS2731