From classic itineraries to new destinations: Hapag-Lloyd Cruises unveils its new routes for 2029

The 2029 season with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises once again promises first-class service, exceptional cuisine and extraordinary cruise experiences. From spectacular coasts, island worlds and metropolises around the globe to some of the most remote regions on earth – the EUROPA and EUROPA 2 as well as the expedition ships HANSEATIC nature, HANSEATIC inspiration and HANSEATIC spirit offer their guests a diverse range of perspectives of the world. From Hawaii, Oceania and the Far East, across North and South America, to the polar regions and along the Amazon or the Northwest Passage, guests can look forward to extraordinary encounters with nature, cultural discoveries and many new destinations.

An initial overview of the 129 routes for the 2029 season is available at: www.hl-cruises.de/vorschau. For the luxury and expedition segments, the brochures are available both as printed copies for customers and digitally on the website. Guests can now make non-binding pre-bookings online, by phone via the customer centre or at travel agencies. Detailed information including prices will also be published when bookings officially open on 1 Dec 2026. The printed route brochures will be published in Mar 2027.

Special-format cruises for body and soul

The EUROPA and EUROPA 2 luxury ships captivate guests with a diverse selection of destinations and first-class cuisine. The on-board entertainment is equally a reflection of the exceptional standards of luxury cruises. On selected cruises, established formats such as IN 2 BALANCE on the EUROPA 2 or EUROPA WELL-BEING on the EUROPA will make a comeback, offering space for relaxation and personal time out. Special routes combine physical activity, knowledge and personal development with insights from the fields of medicine, science, sport, nutrition and mindfulness. Exclusive talks featuring renowned hosts and experts complement the programme with thought-provoking topics from the areas of politics, history and current affairs.

MS EUROPA: between the Pacific, Patagonia and the African wilderness

In January 2029, after no less than nine years, the EUROPA will set sail for Hawaii once again. From Panama City, the route includes the national parks of Costa Rica and the coasts of Mexico, where historic cities, Pacific beaches and the legacy of Mayan culture come together. A highlight is the return to Hawaii with calls at Oahu, Hawaii, Maui and Kauai before continuing along the North American West Coast all the way to Canada.

In February, the EUROPA will offer a three-week cruise to the USA, Mexico, Guatemala and Costa Rica, before setting off for South America and combining some of the most spectacular natural and cultural landscapes. In Chile and Patagonia, guests can look forward to impressive fjords, glaciers and virtually untouched wilderness, whilst Tierra del Fuego boasts captivating, rugged landscapes. In contrast, the vibrant cities of Buenos Aires, Montevideo and Rio de Janeiro – renowned for their culture, architecture, history and spirited zest for life – offer a different experience. The cruise will also take in the southern tip of South America, one of the world’s most historic shipping routes.

With a maximum of 400 guests on board, the small luxury ship will then embark on an 18-day cruise to the Canary Islands, calling at five Brazilian ports as well as the Cape Verdean islands of Santiago and Sao Vicente. The route then continues to the Mediterranean, with easily accessible ports of call such as Lisbon, Civitavecchia (Rome), Piraeus (Athens), Dubrovnik and Palma de Mallorca. Particularly appealing to first-time cruise passengers are two short cruises that provide a perfect opportunity to get to know the EUROPA and its concept in an enjoyable setting.

In winter, the EUROPA will once again set sail to southern Africa. Between the coasts of Namibia and South Africa and the natural wonders of Madagascar, the itinerary includes some of the continent’s most diverse landscapes. Guests will spend the festive season under the tropical sun with several calls in the Seychelles. Kenya and Tanzania offer the chance to discover world-famous national parks and game reserves before Mahe in the Seychelles brings the season to a close.

MS EUROPA 2: from Oceania to the Caribbean

The EUROPA 2 kicks off the season with a 16-day cruise from Singapore via Bali and the Indonesian archipelago to Australia, where is explores both the southern and eastern coasts of the continent in depth. Then it’s off to New Zealand, a destination that combines a wide variety of natural highlights – from the fjords of South Island to the geothermal landscapes of North Island. Oceania also returns to the itinerary, a region that has not been part of the route in recent years.

In March, the focus will be on the islands of the South Pacific. In Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia, guests encounter traditional island cultures, active volcanic landscapes and some of the world’s most biodiverse coral reefs.

In April, the EUROPA 2 departs from Ho Chi Minh City to Yokohama. The subsequent itineraries connect Asian metropolises such as Shanghai and Hong Kong with the island worlds of Southeast Asia and the cultural contrasts of Japan. Guests can then look forward to some of the most fascinating island destinations in the Indian Ocean with Sri Lanka, the Maldives, the Seychelles, Zanzibar and Madagascar.

Following the European summer on the shores of the Mediterranean, the EUROPA 2 will head to Canada’s east for the first time during the golden autumn season. Prince Edward Island, Gaspe, Saguenay and Halifax are just a few of the ports that showcase North America’s natural beauty – from rugged coastlines and fjord landscapes to the famous forests shining golden in the autumnal light.

Towards the end of the year, the ship will then set sail for the Caribbean. Alongside classic island destinations such as the Bahamas and the ABC Islands, the itinerary also includes lesser-known destinations such as Isla Tortuga, Bocas del Toro and Isla de Providencia. Among the special routes is a cruise along both coasts of Costa Rica, including a passage through the Panama Canal and calls at several Caribbean destinations. The season concludes with a 17-day festive cruise from/to Miami. The itinerary combines the Southern charm of Key West, Tampa and New Orleans with the Mayan sites of the Yucatan Peninsula, the reefs off Belize and Roatan as well as the Caribbean coasts of Mexico.

Expedition cruises from the Arctic to the Antarctic

The three ships in the expedition fleet will spend the start of the year between the Antarctic and Scandinavia. While the HANSEATIC inspiration and the HANSEATIC spirit venture into the icy realms of the Antarctic Circle, the HANSEATIC nature – following a break in the 2027/28 season – will depart from northern Germany on winter cruises to Norway, featuring sightings of the Northern Lights, followed by cruises through the wintry Baltic Sea and the Baltic States. The itinerary of the HANSEATIC nature then takes in the Mediterranean, where guests will have the opportunity to discover the coasts and rivers of Europe and the Mediterranean way of life on one or more combinable short cruises.

The HANSEATIC inspiration will then continue its season in Central America. A special new destination awaits in Baja California, where the route is timed to coincide with the annual migration of grey whales. The cruise then continues via the Panama Canal deep into the Amazon. With expeditions on the Amazon as far as Iquitos, the route takes in regions that can only be reached by a select handful of ships and require a high level of nautical expertise.

In late summer, the HANSEATIC nature and HANSEATIC spirit will focus on Greenland and the Canadian Arctic. Between Eureka, Disko Bay and Sisimut, guests have the unforgettable opportunity to experience vast landscapes of ice and life in Greenland’s remote settlements. This is followed by the Northwest Passage and premiere calls at Iqaluit, the Button Islands and Torngat Mountains National Park.

The HANSEATIC inspiration continues towards Svalbard, where it will complete several circumnavigations from and to Longyearbyen and Tromso. These ten-day cruises offer an ideal introduction to the thrill of Arctic expeditions. The destinations called at are determined by local ice and weather conditions, making every cruise a unique experience amidst glaciers and Arctic wildlife.

Two nights’ accommodation in the heart of London offer the perfect opportunity to explore the British capital leisurely at one’s own pace. Thanks to their compact size, the small expedition ships can navigate up the Thames and pass under Tower Bridge, an experience that is reserved only for select vessels. At the end of the year, the HANSEATIC nature and the HANSEATIC spirit will once again set course for the Antarctic – from the Falkland Islands via the Weddell Sea to the Antarctic Peninsula. The HANSEATIC inspiration itself heads for warmer climates, sailing along the West African coast via South Africa and the Seychelles to Mauritius. In general, an expedition means more than simply reaching remote destinations. Experts from various disciplines accompany the cruises and provide the necessary contextual commentary in terms of natural phenomena, wildlife sightings and cultural explanations.