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Press Release of 02/24/2020

Hapag-lloyd cruises: catalogue for its new international expedition ship published for 2021/22 season.

• 23 newly-published HANSEATIC inspiration expedition cruises
• The entire ship will be smoke-free from October 2020
• Highlights: semi-circumnavigation of Antarctica, Northeast Passage, Russian Far East, Great Lakes
• Three new “Voyages for Young Explorers”

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has today published the new 2021/22 season routes for its bilingual expedition ship, the HANSEATIC inspiration. Along with the 23 cruises featured in the previous cruise catalogue, 23 additional, new cruises to exciting expedition destinations have been revealed, including the icy regions of the Arctic and Antarctic, South America, South Africa and the Atlantic islands, northern and Western Europe, Scotland, Greenland, the Canadian Arctic, the South Seas, New Zealand, Japan, the Russian Far East and Alaska. The HANSEATIC inspiration will also sail the Great Lakes of North America, where its retractable bridge wing will allow it to negotiate the narrow locks. The catalogue is available to order from 24 February 2020 via the website. All cruises can be booked now through the website www.hl-cruises.com and partner travel agencies.

(Click image to enlarge and download. Further pictures can be found in the photo archive .)

With 144 pages, the new catalogue for Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ international expedition vessel, the HANSEATIC inspiration, presents a total of 46 true expedition routes from November 2020 through to September 2022. The 230-guest HANSEATIC inspiration is one of three ships in the new expedition class from Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. The trio will be completed in May 2021 when the HANSEATIC spirit joins the HANSEATIC nature and HANSEATIC inspiration. The HANSEATIC nature and HANSEATIC spirit are aimed at the German-speaking market, whereas the HANSEATIC inspiration is aimed at the German-speaking and international markets. All of the travel documents supplied before the start of the cruise and the information during the on-board experience (announcements, lectures, menus, to name just a few) will be provided in English. The ship will also be smoke-free from October 2020, which means that smoking will not be allowed in any area of the ship. The small and manoeuvrable expedition ships have the highest ice class for passenger ships (PC6), feature cutting-edge equipment and environmental technology, and travel on exceptional routes to the world’s most remote regions.   The polar destinations are at the heart of the new programme. Guests can choose Antarctic cruises with Cape Horn, or South Georgia, or grand expeditions beyond the Antarctic Circle. The HANSEATIC inspiration will offer a semi-circumnavigation of Antarctica for the first time at the start of 2022. The Northeast Passage is one of the world’s most challenging nautical routes and the HANSEATIC inspiration will sail to this spectacular region of the world in August/September 2022.   The HANSEATIC inspiration will also head for the Great Lakes of North America between September and October 2021, where the combination of stunning nature, isolated villages and interesting cities provides an unforgettable holiday experience. The ship will visit the five Great Lakes, numerous bridges and eight locks with a height difference of around 100 m (328 ft). The early summer in Europe also heralds routes along Europe’s northern and western coasts and expeditions to the Canary Islands, Cape Verde, the Azores and Madeira. Guests on these expeditions will discover and see for themselves exciting, scenic destinations, which are not typical of the more classic routes traditionally operated in these regions.   The new catalogue also features additional, special cruises as the HANSEATIC inspiration heads to the Russian Far East and Alaska, Asia with Japan and Taiwan, to the South Seas and New Zealand.   The new catalogue also devotes some special expeditions to “Young Explorers” (passengers between 10 and 17 years of age). Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has added individual concepts to its portfolio during school holidays, designed to satisfy a youthful thirst for knowledge. Three new “Voyages for Young Explorers” include following tracks in the wilderness and Zodiac rides in the ice.   Sample HANSEATIC inspiration cruises:   A cruise example for Young Explorers: Antarctica (INS2200): From 21 December 2021 to 8 January 2022 (18 days) from Ushuaia to Ushuaia, including stops at the Falkland islands, South Georgia, South Orkney Islands, South Shetland Islands, Weddell Sea, and the Antarctic Peninsula. From €15.570 ($18.690, £13.710) per person, cruise online. https://www.hl-cruises.com/cruisefinder/INS2200#/   Semi-circumnavigation of Antarctica (INS2203): From 5 February to 10 March 2022 (32 days) departing Ushuaia and sailing to Lyttelton (Christchurch) via the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, cruising through the Bellingshausen Sea, Amundsen Sea and Ross Sea, via Ross Island, Terra Bay and Victoria Land, cruising off the Balleny Islands, Macquarie Island, Campbell Island, Auckland Islands, cruising off Snares Island. From €24.370 ($29.250, £21.450) per person, cruise online. More information online at: https://www.hl-cruises.com/cruisefinder/INS2203#overview   Expedition South Seas (INS2205): From 26 March to 11 April 2022 (16 days) departing Auckland and sailing to Noumea via Bay of Islands, Norfolk Island, Ile des Pins, Vanuatu, Mare, and Ilot Casy. From €10.500 ($12.600, £9,240) per person, cruise online. More information online at: https://www.hl-cruises.com/cruisefinder/INS2205#/   Expedition Northeast Passage (INS2214): From 20 August to 21 September 2022 (31 days) departing Seward and sailing to Tromso via Aleutian Islands/Alaska, Saint Matthew Island, Chukchi Peninsula, Bering Strait, Chukchi Sea, Siberia and cruising through the East Siberian Sea and the Laptev Sea, Severnaya Zemlya, Isachenko Island, Uyedineniya Island, Novaya Zemlya, cruising through the Barents Sea/Arctic Ocean. Franz Josef Land, Murmansk, cruising off North Cape. From €22.750 ($27.300, £20.020) per person, cruise online. More information online at: https://www.hl-cruises.com/cruisefinder/INS2214#/overview

Hamburg, February 2020

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Hapag-Lloyd Cruises: catalogue for its new international expedition ship published for 2021/22 season

• 23 newly-published HANSEATIC inspiration expedition cruises
• The entire ship will be smoke-free from October 2020
• Highlights: semi-circumnavigation of Antarctica, Northeast Passage, Russian Far East, Great Lakes
• Three new “Voyages for Young Explorers”

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has today published the new 2021/22 season routes for its bilingual expedition ship, the HANSEATIC inspiration. Along with the 23 cruises featured in the previous cruise catalogue, 23 additional, new cruises to exciting expedition destinations have been revealed, including the icy regions of the Arctic and Antarctic, South America, South Africa and the Atlantic islands, northern and Western Europe, Scotland, Greenland, the Canadian Arctic, the South Seas, New Zealand, Japan, the Russian Far East and Alaska. The HANSEATIC inspiration will also sail the Great Lakes of North America, where its retractable bridge wing will allow it to negotiate the narrow locks. The catalogue is available to order from 24 February 2020 via the website. All cruises can be booked now through the website www.hl-cruises.com and partner travel agencies.

With 144 pages, the new catalogue for Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ international expedition vessel, the HANSEATIC inspiration, presents a total of 46 true expedition routes from November 2020 through to September 2022. The 230-guest HANSEATIC inspiration is one of three ships in the new expedition class from Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. The trio will be completed in May 2021 when the HANSEATIC spirit joins the HANSEATIC nature and HANSEATIC inspiration. The HANSEATIC nature and HANSEATIC spirit are aimed at the German-speaking market, whereas the HANSEATIC inspiration is aimed at the German-speaking and international markets. All of the travel documents supplied before the start of the cruise and the information during the on-board experience (announcements, lectures, menus, to name just a few) will be provided in English. The ship will also be smoke-free from October 2020, which means that smoking will not be allowed in any area of the ship. The small and manoeuvrable expedition ships have the highest ice class for passenger ships (PC6), feature cutting-edge equipment and environmental technology, and travel on exceptional routes to the world’s most remote regions.

The polar destinations are at the heart of the new programme. Guests can choose Antarctic cruises with Cape Horn, or South Georgia, or grand expeditions beyond the Antarctic Circle. The HANSEATIC inspiration will offer a semi-circumnavigation of Antarctica for the first time at the start of 2022. The Northeast Passage is one of the world’s most challenging nautical routes and the HANSEATIC inspiration will sail to this spectacular region of the world in August/September 2022.

The HANSEATIC inspiration will also head for the Great Lakes of North America between September and October 2021, where the combination of stunning nature, isolated villages and interesting cities provides an unforgettable holiday experience. The ship will visit the five Great Lakes, numerous bridges and eight locks with a height difference of around 100 m (328 ft).

The early summer in Europe also heralds routes along Europe’s northern and western coasts and expeditions to the Canary Islands, Cape Verde, the Azores and Madeira. Guests on these expeditions will discover and see for themselves exciting, scenic destinations, which are not typical of the more classic routes traditionally operated in these regions.

The new catalogue also features additional, special cruises as the HANSEATIC inspiration heads to the Russian Far East and Alaska, Asia with Japan and Taiwan, to the South Seas and New Zealand.

The new catalogue also devotes some special expeditions to “Young Explorers” (passengers between 10 and 17 years of age). Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has added individual concepts to its portfolio during school holidays, designed to satisfy a youthful thirst for knowledge. Three new “Voyages for Young Explorers” include following tracks in the wilderness and Zodiac rides in the ice.

Sample HANSEATIC inspiration cruises

• Great Lakes (INS2122): From 3 October to 17 October 2021 (14 days) departing Chicago and sailing to Toronto via Milwaukee, Traverse City, Mackinac Island/Lake Huron, Duluth/Lake Superior, Thunder Bay/Lake Superior, Killarney/Lake Huron, Parry Sound, Tobermory, Windsor/Detroit, cruising on Lake Erie. From €8.700 ($10.440, £7.660) per person, cruise online.More information online at: https://www.hl-cruises.com/cruisefinder/INS2122#/overview
• A cruise example for Young Explorers: Antarctica (INS2200): From 21 December 2021 to 8 January 2022 (18 days) from Ushuaia to Ushuaia, including stops at the Falkland islands, South Georgia, South Orkney Islands, South Shetland Islands, Weddell Sea, and the Antarctic Peninsula. From €15.570 ($18.690, £13.710) per person, cruise online: https://www.hl-cruises.com/cruisefinder/INS2200#/
• Semi-circumnavigation of Antarctica (INS2203): From 5 February to 10 March 2022 (32 days) departing Ushuaia and sailing to Lyttelton (Christchurch) via the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, cruising through the Bellingshausen Sea, Amundsen Sea and Ross Sea, via Ross Island, Terra Bay and Victoria Land, cruising off the Balleny Islands, Macquarie Island, Campbell Island, Auckland Islands, cruising off Snares Island. From €24.370 ($29.250, £21.450) per person, cruise online. More information online at: https://www.hl-cruises.com/cruisefinder/INS2203#overview
• Expedition South Seas (INS2205): From 26 March to 11 April 2022 (16 days) departing Auckland and sailing to Noumea via Bay of Islands, Norfolk Island, Ile des Pins, Vanuatu, Mare, and Ilot Casy. From €10.500 ($12.600, £9,240) per person, cruise online. More information online at: https://www.hl-cruises.com/cruisefinder/INS2205#/
• Expedition Northeast Passage (INS2214): From 20 August to 21 September 2022 (31 days) departing Seward and sailing to Tromso via Aleutian Islands/Alaska, Saint Matthew Island, Chukchi Peninsula, Bering Strait, Chukchi Sea, Siberia and cruising through the East Siberian Sea and the Laptev Sea, Severnaya Zemlya, Isachenko Island, Uyedineniya Island, Novaya Zemlya, cruising through the Barents Sea/Arctic Ocean. Franz Josef Land, Murmansk, cruising off North Cape. From €22.750 ($27.300, £20.020) per person, cruise online. More information online at: https://www.hl-cruises.com/cruisefinder/INS2214#/overview

About Hapag-Lloyd Cruises

In the German-speaking area, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is known to be the leading cruise brand in the luxury and expedition sector. Small, individual, and outstanding in their class: the fleet includes the world's best luxury ships. the EUROPA and the EUROPA 2, which are the only ships to be awarded the top rating of 5-star plus by the Berlitz Cruise Guide, as well as the HANSEATIC nature and the HANSEATIC inspiration, the first two of the new expedition class which consists of three ships. The new HANSEATIC spirit completed the fleet, when she joined in summer 2021, and continues the modernization process of the expedition fleet. The adventure trips on the luxurious ALBERT BALLIN private jet, a particularly exclusive type of travel, complements the portfolio.

More information

• Website Hapag-Lloyd Cruises

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Hapag-Lloyd Unveils Preview of the 2025/26 Season

The official opening of bookings will take place at the beginning of 2024 for the 124 luxurious and adventurous cruises offered by the Hapag-Lloyd Cruises fleet. An exceptional offer, from the most classic itineraries on board ships famous for their service and informal elegance, to the most exciting expedition cruises.

Guests can pre-register for their preferred itineraries aboard the two classic luxury ships Europa and Europa 2 , as well as on the three expedition units, Hanseatic Inspiration , Hanseatic Nature , and Hanseatic Spirit , at www.hl-cruises.de/vorschau or through travel agencies.

The diverse program of classic cruises, uncharted routes, and themed journeys for the 2025/26 season will take Hapag-Lloyd Cruises ‘ five small ships, recently voted the best fleet by Insight Guides Cruising & Cruise Ships 2024, around the world. In total, 124 routes from September 2025 to October 2026 offer exciting destinations for every type of traveler. In addition to new embarkation ports like Playa Panama/Costa Rica and the Japanese Daito Islands, the planned regions encompass vastly different climates, including the Amazon and Antarctica, as well as stops in metropolises like New York and Rio de Janeiro, or small ports like Aitutaki in the Cook Islands.

Europa 2 New York

NewYork Hapag Lloyd

What are recognized as some of the world’s best luxury ships, Europa and Europa 2, will offer a top-tier travel experience in the 2025/26 season, complete with first-class services, diverse cuisine, and exceptional itineraries worldwide.

The popular travel combinations aboard Europa, divided into a total of five itineraries ranging from 42 to 154 days, will again be an integral part of the itinerary in 2025/26. These travel combinations, which can also be booked as individual trips, will take Europa from September 2025 on an adventure along the historic sea route from Hamburg to New York, through the “Indian Summer” along the eastern coast of Canada and the United States. Already in October, the ship will return to Europe and then cross the Mediterranean and the Suez Canal before embarking on an exploration of Africa, touching places like Madagascar. At the beginning of February, it will depart from Cape Town and sail along the western coast of Africa, heading for the Canary Islands. Subsequently, it will thoroughly explore the Mediterranean before returning to Hamburg in June 2026. Starting in September, guests can enjoy short round-trip journeys, with embarkations and disembarkations taking place exclusively at German ports.

Hapag Lloyd

In addition to the informal onboard style, the 500 guests that can be accommodated by the sister ship Europa 2 will enjoy the most beautiful coasts of numerous continents, lively metropolises, and ports that have not been part of the itinerary for some time, such as the Canary Islands or Iceland. Anyone who has always wanted to admire the Christmas tree in front of Rockefeller Center and go ice skating should take note of the ten-day pre-Christmas shopping trip from New York to New York. The subsequent journey from New York to Colon combines the winter of the eastern United States with the warm temperatures of the Caribbean. Next, Europa 2 will explore Hawaii, the islands of the South Pacific, and South America before returning to Tenerife at the end of March. In May, there will be three- or fourteen-day trips along the northern and Baltic European coasts, as well as in the Mediterranean.

Three five-star ships, seven continents, 70 journeys: Hanseatic Nature, Hanseatic Spirit, and Hanseatic Inspiration will sail the world’s seas in the 2025/26 season. Equipped with the highest ice class for passenger ships and shallow drafts, these three modern sister ships will navigate both polar waters and temperate regions. The Hanseatic Nature will primarily cover European regions, with expeditions to the Northern Lights in Norway and winter adventures in Lapland, as well as expedition voyages among the British and Atlantic Islands. In the summer of 2026, it will embark on a pioneering journey circumnavigating the island of Kvitøya during the Spitsbergen expedition. The Hanseatic Inspiration will head to both Antarctica and the Pacific before crossing the legendary Northwest Passage and reaching the Great Lakes. The Hanseatic Spirit will offer expedition cruises on routes in polar regions, as well as destinations such as the Pacific Islands and Japan, as well as voyages along the Amazon River. In the Pacific routes, it will combine the vibrancy of major metropolises with the solitude of remote coasts in Micronesia, with stops in Japan up to Palau.

Asia Hapag Lloyd

Antarctica Hapag Lloyd

Hapag-Lloyd offers a truly wide and diverse range of itineraries, distinguished between a series of classic cruises, renowned for luxury and informal elegance, and a new range of expedition itineraries made possible by the expansion of the fleet with the three new units. From the most thrilling adventure to the most relaxing cruise, there are truly many opportunities to experience a journey aboard Hapag-Lloyd and its renowned ships, which will be calling at the most famous ports and the remotest lands in the world.

Don’t miss further information and reviews on Hapag-Lloyd on Cruising Journal, with tips, photos, and special offers.

Gabriele Bassi

Hanseatic Nature

Latest reportages, marella discovery 2 to head east, azamara pursuit: the south africa intensive voyage, ponant: expedition cruising a la francais, vista’s maiden call on new york, cfc: renaissance makes its debut and impresses.

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Hanseatic Nature

Cruise line Hapag-Lloyd Cruises

Hanseatic Nature current position

Hanseatic Nature current location is at West Africa (coordinates 33.60645 N / -7.60787 W) cruising en route to PT PXP. The AIS position was reported 20 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Hanseatic Nature

Hanseatic Nature current cruise is 10 days, one-way from Palma de Mallorca to Funchal . Prices start from USD 5611 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 22 Apr, 2024 and ends on 02 May, 2024 .

Specifications of Hanseatic Nature

•   Itineraries
•   Review
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Hanseatic Nature Itineraries

Hanseatic nature review, review of hanseatic nature.

The 2019-built Hanseatic Nature cruise ship is the second of the three Hapag-Lloyd boats with which the company entered the ultra-luxury expedition travel market - together with the sisterships Hanseatic Inspiration (2019 October) and Hanseatic Spirit (2021 June). All these boats are of the same design.

The vessel (IMO number 9817133) is currently Malta- flagged (MMSI 215768000) and registered in Valletta .

History - construction and ownership

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises (Kreuzfahrten) is a Hamburg -based passenger shipping company and premium travel brand owned by TUI AG (shipowner) and managed by its subsidiary TUI Cruises . Between 2017-2020, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises was fully owned by Hapag-Lloyd AG (German-Chilean shipping company, one of the world's oldest), currently ranked the world's 5th largest container shipping line in terms of fleet capacity.

The shipowner TUI AG (Hanover Germany-based) is a British-German multinational currently ranked the world's largest leisure and travel company. It was founded in 1923 and until 2002 was named "Preussag AG". TUI Group's companies specialize in hospitality and tourism services worldwide, with a portfolio including passenger airlines, cruise shipping, package vacations, hotels and resorts, travel agencies, retail shops.

The 230-passenger ship Hanseatic Nature was built by Norwegian company Vard Holdings Ltd (a subsidiary of Fincantieri) at the shipyard in Tulcea Romania . The vessel has the highest ice class for passenger ships, PC6. Hanseatic Nature features many advantages, such as outstanding five-star service provided by the crew, unforgettable culinary, more space for the passengers and a lot of hidden amenities.

Hapag-Lloyd's new cruise ship design is based on an ice-strengthened hull and implemented top-notch marine technologies developed specifically for a polar vessel. Among those is the long-range 3D sonar "FarSounder 1000". The device is forward-looking (installed in the ship's bow) and integrated into the vessel's bridge navigation system. The sonar allows it to maneuver through icy waters, showing and mapping approaching hazards, such as icebergs or shallow coral reefs.

The ship design features 2 extendable glass balconies (glass-bottomed and glass-walled) providing passengers with the unique feeling of floating over the water. The vessel has a retractable Navigation Bridge wing allowing it to pass through a narrow river and canal locks.

Hanseatic Nature is fitted with modern environmental-friendly technologies and equipment. Vessel's hull shape is optimized to reduce fuel consumption and the overall bunker consumption. The ship has an SCR catalytic converter, reducing NOx emissions by nearly 95%. The ship's propulsion features a PROMAS rudder with a specially-designed propeller that helps reducing fuel consumption and lowers emissions. Special polar equipment is the ice detectors - thermal imaging technology with infrared cameras. Cold ironing (shore-to-ship power capabilities) are also available.

Decks and Cabins

MS Hanseatic Nature staterooms (120 total, in 10 cabin categories) allow max passenger capacity 230 (max 199 on Antarctic cruises).

Cabins categories are Panorama (22 m2/235 ft2), French Balcony (21-23 m2/225-250 ft2), and Balcony (28 m2/300 ft2) with private balcony (6 m2/65 ft2). Amenities include separable beds, Nordic walking poles, binoculars, rain shower, free minibar, coffee machine, a heated wall in the bathrooms for wet parkas and towels.

Junior Suites (43 m2/465 ft2) are with step-out balcony (6 m2/65 ft2) and as amenities offer butler service, separate living and sleeping areas (with panoramic views and HDTVs), separate dining area, separable beds, Nordic walking poles, binoculars, free minibar, coffee machine, bathroom with rain shower and two sinks, steam sauna in the shower area, a heated wall in the bathrooms for wet parkas and towels.

Grand Suites (71 m2/765 ft2) are with private terrace (16 m2/170 ft2) featuring space heaters. Amenities include exclusive service privileges, butler service, separate living and sleeping areas (with panoramic views and HDTVs), separate dining area, separable beds, Nordic walking poles, binoculars, free minibar, coffee machine, daylight bathroom with balcony access, free-standing bath, rain shower and two sinks, steam sauna in the shower area, separate toilet, a heated wall in the bathrooms for wet parkas and towels.

Kids under 11 years old travel for free. Teens (ages 12-15) travel at a fixed rate of EUR 60 per night.

The boat has 9 decks , of which 7 are passenger-accessible and 4 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Meals are offered within open-seating during the day. Dinner is served in the ship's main dining room restaurant (aft on deck 4). The ship has 2 bars and 3 restaurants: Main Restaurant (178 seats), Speciality Restaurant (44 seats) and Bistro Restaurant (Lido Buffet) with 84 indoor seats plus around 100 outdoor seats.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

MS Hanseatic Nature offers a sophisticated atmosphere and the chance to visit exotic ports. Each voyage is accompanied by lectors. There are extensive wellness and fitness areas, as well as an aft marina platform for water sports. 16 onboard Zodiacs (inflatable boats) and E-Zodiacs (with electric-powered engines) make possible landings in remote expedition areas, regardless of their vicinity to a port.

• Main Lounge (deck 4) with cutting-edge technology suitable for media presentations, precaps, and recaps, full Bar, separate Smoking Lounge.
• Observation Lounge (deck 8)
• Fitness area (100 m2 / 1076 ft2) with modern exercise equipment, separate Course Room (for classes).
• Spa area (215 m2 / 2314 ft2) with ocean view.
• Pool deck area with swimming pool, jacuzzi, Pool Bar
• Spacious top-deck Sun Deck with flexible canopy (shaded seating area).
• (Ocean Academy) Interactive Knowledge Studio - enables passengers to do their own research whenever they wish by viewing the information.

In late-February 2019, Hapag-Lloyd announced a user-friendly digital concept for onboard learning never seen before on expedition vessels. The new "study wall" is available on the fleet's three new Hanseatic ships (Inspiration, Nature, Spirit).

The innovative touchscreen technology (screen size 6x1,8 m / 20x6 ft) allows passengers to research information and various topics related to the ship's current cruise itinerary destinations. The digital Study Wall was developed over a 2,5-year period via a partnership with two German ( Hamburg -based) companies - Intermediate Engineering GmbH, and mpg ErlebnisRaumDesign GmbH.

Digital content (articles, biographies, photos, videos) is divided into 5 categories. Most of the information is provided by GEOMAR ( Kiel Germany ), also by journalists, scientists, and experts. The Study Wall is located in Knowledge Studio (Wissens Atelier / Deck 8). The research facility also has four Study Seats (with touchscreens to explore the content), Study Poster (visual scientific explanations), a dedicated area for microscope research.

Itineraries

MS Hanseatic Nature itinerary program is based on expeditions to Polar destinations (Arctic and Antarctica), as well as tropical destinations like the South Seas and Amazon remaining on the itinerary.

Hanseatic Nature - user reviews and comments

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Hanseatic Nature ship related cruise news

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Other Hapag-Lloyd Cruises cruise ships

• Hanseatic Inspiration
• Hanseatic Spirit
• ms Europa 2

Hanseatic Nature Wiki

Cruise ship cabins were prefabricated by the shipbuilder's sister company VARD Accommodation. Staterooms were designed by the Finnish company NIT Design, which also supplied all the materials. Besides the ship's cabins and their balconies, NIT Design also made the Spa, the a la carte restaurant, all staircases and outdoor deck areas.

Vessel's steel-cutting ceremony was on May 9, 2017, when Karl Pojer (Hapag-Lloyd Cruises' CEO) gave the official signal to start the ship's building process at the VARD shipyard in Tulcea Romania . On June 20, 2017, was vessel's keel-laying ceremony, during which Karl Pojer placed a lucky coin, later welded into the steel block. Ship's keel consists of 2 steel blocks, each with length 9 m, width 11 m, height 1,5 m and weight 33 tons.

In November 2017, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises announced that hull design changes resulted in projected over 10% annual fuel savings for the new expedition vessels. After an initial assessment, the hull's efficiency was optimized using DNV GL developed form optimization process that included 10,000 hull design analysis to confirm the hull model optimization results. The main changes were done to the hull's stern - optimized for passenger comfort by minimizing the impact of slamming.

In Romania was constructed only the hull (weight 6500 tons), while the rest of the ship was built at the VARD shipyard in Langsten Norway (near Alesund ). The 4000 ml (6450 km) long tow of the hull from Romania to Norway started on July 18 and ended on August 27.

Liner's christening ceremony was initially scheduled for April 12, 2019, to be held in Port Hamburg (Germany) . The inaugural cruise (maiden voyage) scheduled for April 13. The 2nd vessel from this series (sistership) Hanseatic Inspiration is scheduled for launch 6 months later (in October 2019). Hapag-Lloyd Cruises opened bookings for both new Hanseatic ships (Nature and Inspiration ) on January 23, 2018.

However, on March 29, 2019, Hapag-Lloyd issued a statement about the cancellation of the first two Hanseatic Nature cruises due to delayed delivery. The maiden voyage was re-scheduled for May 5 (leaving from Hamburg). Customers booked on the affected cruises received full refund plus 50% future Hapag-Lloyd cruise voucher (valid fleetwide through September 2021). Travel agents received their commissions for all canceled bookings.

The liner was officially delivered by VARD on May 2, 2019.

It's not for everyone: 3 things to know about Antarctica expedition cruises

W hen James Rameson stepped on land in Antarctica during an expedition cruise last month, it’s possible it was the first time anyone had ever set foot on that part of the ice-covered continent.

When the Zodiac boat arrived at the rocky shore, the expedition leader told the Santa Barbara, California, 13-year-old and his fellow passengers – of which I was one – that our group on board Aurora Expeditions’ Sylvia Earle ship may have been the first to visit that particular spot.

Rameson, who took the cruise as a birthday gift with his father, Tyler, 49, made the most of his sudden pioneer status. “I walked over to this random spot, and I'm like, ‘Look, dad, no one has ever been here,’ ” he told USA TODAY. “It's like, ‘I’m the first person to set foot right here,’ which I thought was pretty cool.”

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Not every trip can offer that. “One of the most incredible things about visiting Antarctica is the feeling of exploration and being somewhere very few people have been before,” said Kristin Winkaffe, a luxury travel designer and founder of Winkaffe Global Travel.

But the continent has become an increasingly popular destination. More than 71,200 people visited the ice during the 2022-2023 season, up from around 24,000 in 2021-2022 in the wake of COVID-19 and just under 56,000 in 2019-2020, according to the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators. There has been a surge in inventory , too, with new ships and itineraries from a range of expedition lines.

Here are three things to know about taking an Antarctica cruise:

I did a polar plunge in Antarctica. It meant more than I expected.

1. You’ll have to cross the Drake Passage – maybe

Most expedition cruises to Antarctica depart from Ushuaia, Argentina, and cross the infamous Drake Passage . The waterway is notoriously treacherous, and travelers could experience a rough “Drake Shake” or calm “Drake Lake” during the journey, which takes about two days to complete each way (you may have seen videos of it on TikTok ).

My trip fell somewhere in the middle on the way down with waves as high as about 13 feet. “A lot of people, even if they haven't experienced seasickness before, tend to experience seasickness on the Drake Passage,” Winkaffe said.

Expedition ships tend to be small, but larger cruise ships visit Antarctica as well and guests may feel the impact of the waves less thanks to their size. However, travelers should note that ships carrying more than 500 passengers are not permitted to take them on land , according to the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators. 

Some cruise operators offer flights over the Drake Passage. But Winkaffe warned that those trips are not only “exponentially more expensive” – Antarctica cruises can range from around $5,000 per person to more than $20,000 and those flights could add between $5,000 and $10,000 – but also less reliable since weather in the area can be unpredictable.

“There is the possibility that (ships will) get canceled or delayed due to weather but they're able to cross during worse weather than the flights are,” she said.

Lindblad Expeditions is the latest operator to add the option, allowing guests to skip potentially rough waters and shave time off their trip. CEO and founder Sven-Olof Lindblad said last month at the luxury travel trade show ILTM Cannes that the brand had long held off due to concerns passengers wouldn’t take off and land as scheduled, but that technology has made the flights more predictable, Travel + Leisure reported .

2. You have to be flexible

Given the extreme climate, Antarctica cruises may not always go as planned. 

During my trip with Aurora, the expedition team shared an intended itinerary for the next day each night with guests, with the caveat that it was only a Plan A. After they assessed the conditions upon arrival, we sometimes explored by Zodiac rather than attempting to go on land or relocated altogether.

That may be an adjustment for travelers who have been on other types of cruises with detailed itineraries from start to finish. “Antarctica is a totally different beast in that you basically just have to accept that you’re going on a tour to Antarctica and not get attached to any specific place,” Winkaffe said.

She recommended going into the trip with a “sense of adventure,” and that travelers avoid Googling specific locations ahead of time to minimize disappointment if they don’t make it there. Destinations may also look different from their photos, particularly because the environment changes throughout the year (the Antarctica cruise season runs from October through March , encompassing its summer).

“Everybody has FOMO ( fear of missing out ) and everything, but everybody’s experience is different,” said Jeff Nagel, the assistant expedition leader on my trip.

3. Keep the environment in mind

As harrowing as the Antarctic environment can seem, it’s also vulnerable. Scientists have already warned of dire impacts due to climate change.

That makes visiting with care especially important. On board the expedition with Aurora, we received information on the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators guidelines and followed biosecurity protocols , like cleaning and having our gear inspected to avoid transporting nonnative species and scrubbing our boots after landings (the ship even played songs like Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off” while we twisted our feet against rubber mats to remove debris).

“We are aware that, of course, in spite of all the work we do to make it as sustainable … as possible, we do have an impact,” said Mario Placidi Spring, the expedition leader on my trip.

What is wave season?: Why you should book your next cruise now

Winkaffe recommended doing research before booking and choosing a cruise operator that is putting effort and money toward operating sustainably.

“I'd like to believe that through our educational programs and (other programming) on board that we are creating ambassadors, and people are going home and maybe thinking about those small changes they can make in their life that will protect these areas and protect the world as a whole,” Nagel added.

Editor’s note: The reporter on this story received access to this expedition from Aurora Expeditions. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of reviews.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: It's not for everyone: 3 things to know about Antarctica expedition cruises

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Our private Moscow city tours allow travellers the benefit of an expert tour guide with you in every step. All you have to do is take it all in and enjoy. Explore a city born from an imperial past, yet an enduring symbol of Soviet Russia. This is a city between two worlds. When you visit Moscow , you will see how its art and architecture reflects a crossroad between Europe and Asia. Moscow revels in the centuries of comings and goings of great minds that have called this world-renowned metropolis home.

Moscow Travel Highlights:

• Rich in history and culture, reveals some amazing stories. Our captivating Moscow tours have a way of bringing the past to life as you follow a Soviet trail through the city
• Explore numerous world-class historical and contemporary art galleries and museums in Moscow , including the Tretyakov State Gallery, the Pushkin Museum, the Moscow Museum of Modern Art, and many more

Moscow holds the World's Best of Jaw-dropping Art

• Be enthralled by the monumental architecture of famous churches and iconic buildings, such as the Kremlin, the Red Square, and Saint Basil’s Cathedral
• Experience the magnificent Moscow Metro, whose grandiose architecture, intricate mosaics, and dramatic sculptures have made it a must-see attraction when travelling Russia
• Indulge yourself in one of their many famous theatre art performances, whether it be an opera or ballet performance in the glamorous Bolshoi Theatre or a post-drama or comedy production in the Gogol Centre

Captivating Adventures to Experience in Moscow

• Take a Moscow river cruise along the mighty Volga River for a unique perspective into exploring Russia’s hidden gems and treasures
• Feast on exotic Russian cuisines while strolling through the street markets or at a fine dining restaurant, and enjoy countless specialty stores sampling vodka, caviar, and chocolate
• Shop to your heart’s desire in Moscow’s two most lavished shopping centres, GUM and TSUM, where items range from the most glamorous high-end fashion brands, art, and jewellery to antiques and traditional handicrafts

Must-Visit Moscow Landmarks

The Red Square, Saint Basil’s Cathedral, and The Kremlin top every visitor’s list. These iconic buildings have defined Russia for centuries, but Moscow’s culture doesn’t stop there. Visit Izmailovsky Park, one of the largest urban parks in the world (six times larger than New York’s Central Park) or marvel at the Ostankino Tower, once the tallest structure on earth. Chase down real adventure and ride the Moscow Metro for a true taste of Russia in what visitors call part bomb shelter, part art gallery.

Moscow is an elite paradise with the highest concentration of billionaires on the planet, so nothing is off-limits. Moscow is full of history and possibility – both a political hub and billionaire playground. Visit Moscow and decide for yourself what this dynamic city means to you. Explore the expertly designed Moscow tour packages below for some more inspiration.

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Moscow Vibes – Three Day City Escape

This handcrafted Moscow tour is perfectly planned weekend exploration of Russia capital's most famous tourist attractions. You will enjoy a panoramic tour of this magnificent city, will explore mighty Kremlin and Red Square and indulge in world-famed Moscow metro and Arbat street.

Classic Moscow - Art, History and Culture

Breathe in the history of Moscow, explore its Imperial and soviet past, dynamic contemporary culture and lifestyle. On this 5-day tour of Moscow, you'll visit the must-see sights with your private guide and explore the city at your own pace.

Highlights of Moscow & St Petersburg

Immerse yourself in the art, history and culture of Russia and explore the contrasting styles of Moscow and St Petersburg in just one week. Experience the iconic landmarks of Moscow, then, take a fast train to Saint Petersburg, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.

Moscow and St Petersburg in Style

This carefully crafted 9-day itinerary tells the tale of two cities – Moscow, the source of Eastern political, economic and spiritual influence, and St Petersburg – Russia’s cultural epicentre and window to Western Europe.

Moscow, St Petersburg and Golden Ring Rendezvous

This tour of Moscow, St. Petersburg and the Golden Ring explores the places that shaped Russia’s history – past, present and future. Uncover Moscow’s ongoing revolutionary spirit, before journeying back in time to rural, medieval Russia. End in St Petersburg, a city of royal splendour and undeniable romance.

Moscow & St Petersburg Winter Escapade

Experience the romantic, winter wonderland atmosphere and festive city lights of Russia’s two biggest cities and celebrate the New Year! You’ll discover some of the cities' most iconic attractions and lesser-known gems.

Northern Lights in Russia: Arctic Winter Magic

Explore main sights of mighty Moscow and cultural capital of Russia - Saint Petersburg. Head to Karelia, where we’ll stop to admire the Ruskeala Mountain Park and historic Kizhi Island. Discover the customs of the indigenous Saami in Kola Peninsula and observe Aurora Borealis dancing in the sky.

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On this expedition, we’ll walk the streets of Moscow, on the Moskva River in western Russia.

This story was created for the Google Expeditions project by ePublishing Partners and AirPano, now available on Google Arts & Culture

With a population of about 12 million people, the city is very much alive today, but its squares and building also serve as a kind of museum of the city’s rich history.

Vodovzvodnaya Tower

Here is a bird’s eye view of Moscow from atop the Kremlin’s Vodovzvodnaya Tower.  Moscow’s Kremlin, a complex of structures along the Moskva River, is the heart of the Soviet Union’s government. The word kremlin means “fortress inside a city.” You will understand that meaning as you take in the walls and towers that surround the Kremlin. 

The original Kremlin was a wooden structure, but in the 14th century it was rebuilt in white stone. Even later, much of the white stone was replaced with whitewashed brick.

The Vodovzvodnaya Tower stands almost 62 meters high and was built in 1488 by Italian architect Anotonio Gilardi. The tower contains a water pumping machine that was installed in 1633. 

This water pump took water from the Moskva River and supplied water to Russia’s first pressurized pipe system, and so was named “Vodovzvodnaya” which means “water lifting.” Note that the tower you see is not the original. The tower had to be rebuilt after it was blown up in 1812 by the French army.

Cathedral Square

If you look beyond the Kremlin’s white-walled and green-roofed structure, you’ll see an area where a number of golden domes rise into the sky. This is Cathedral Square. Three cathedrals, two churches, and the Ivan the Great Bell Tower stand together on the square.

In the 15th century, all of the Kremlin’s streets converged here, and for several centuries, this was a focal point of power—the power of the Russian Orthodox Church and the power of Russia’s ruling elite. All of Russia’s tsars were crowned here, and their funeral processions proceeded from here as well.

The Moskva River

Look down. The river you see winding alongside Moscow’s Kremlin is the Moskva River. This river is about 503 kilometers long and flows right through western Russian as well as through the heart of Moscow.

The river is a popular route for both private and commercial boats, but it does freeze over during the frigid winter months. 

The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

As you gaze up the river, you’ll see the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. This 103m-high white-walled and copper-domed structure is the world’s tallest Orthodox Christian church. Tsar Alexander I ordered the cathedral built in 1812. 

However, what you see is the second cathedral to be built on the site. The first was destroyed by Joseph Stalin to make room for a palace. But during World War II, construction of the palace was abandoned. Years later, the cathedral was rebuilt.

Saviour Tower

Also called Spasskaya Tower, Saviour Tower is easy to recognize by the illuminated red Kremlin star at the top of its wooden spire. This Gothic-inspired tower was built in 1491, and contains the official entrance to the Kremlin. Until 1658, it was called Frolovskaya Tower.

But when an icon of the Saviour was placed above the gate facing Red Square, the name was officially changed. This tower is so important to the Russian people that it is used as a greeting place for all foreign leaders who visit Russia.

The design of the tower changed over the years. The clock and turret, or belfry, were added in the 17th century. Chimes were added in 1851, and then repaired in after being damaged during the October Revolution in 1917.

Bolshoi Theatre

If you turn your gaze to the right, there in the distance you’ll see the Bolshoi Theatre, which is home to the Russian opera and ballet. The theater, which features a neoclassical façade, has been rebuilt several times over the years. 

The Russian people are so proud of this theatre that it is pictured on the 100-ruble banknote.

Kotelnicheskaya Embankment Building

Turn your gaze to the left of the Saviour Tower and look out toward the far end of the river. There, on the left side, you’ll see the dark silhouette of one of the city’s seven Stalinist skyscrapers, the Kotelnicheskaya Embankment Building. 

These skyscrapers were designed by Kmitry Chechulin and Andrei Rostkovsky, and built between 1947-1952. This 32-level 176m-tall building features terra cotta panels and numerous pseudo-Gothic turrets. This building houses apartments and elite living suites.

Saint Basil’s Cathedral

 If you look at Red Square directly across the street from Saviour Tower, you’ll see Saint Basil’s Cathedral. This fancifully painted brick building, which was built in 1560, was designed to suggest a bonfire. The structure is actually a collection of ten churches. 

Eight are positioned around one central church called the Church of Intercession. It is thought that this design was meant to represent an eight-pointed star. The tenth church was later built on top of Saint Basil’s grave.

The Bolshoi Theatre company was founded in around 1780 by Prince Peter Urusov and English impresario Michael Maddox. Performances were originally held in a private home and then in the Petrovka Theatre.

The Petrovka Theater was destroyed by a fire in 1805, and a new theatre—the New Arbat Imperial Theatre—was built in 1808. Unfortunately, this theatre was also destroyed by fire in 1812. 

The Bolshoi Theatre, built in 1821, has featured performances by many greats, including choreographer Alexander Gorsky, conductor Sergei Rachmininov, and singer Fyodor Chaliapin. 

Many world-famous ballerinas made their names here, including Maria Plsetskaya, Glina Ulanova, Vladimir Vasiliev, and Maris Liepa.

The Statue Above the Theatre's Entrance

The statue that stands above the Bolshoi’s entrance depicts Apollo riding a four-horse chariot. Apollo was the Greek god of, among other things, music and dance. The Bolshoi Theatre itself is neoclassical in design. The architecture suggests an ancient Greek temple.

If you look to the left side of the theatre, off in the distance you will see the top spire of the Vodovzvodnaya Tower. This tower was originally built in 1488 but needed repairs after being blown up by Napoleon’s troops in 1812. 

The red star at the very top of the tower’s spire was installed to mark the 20th anniversary of the 1917 October Revolution, when Bolsheviks seized state power.

Ostankino Tower

Look into the far distance behind the Bolshoi Theatre and you’ll see a structure reaching high into the sky. This is the Ostankino Tower, a 540m-tall radio and television tower built in the late 1960s. 

This tower was designed by Nikolai Nikitin and built to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the October Revolution. At the time it was built, it was the world’s tallest free-standing structure. 

There are restaurants and an observation deck at the top of the tower. If you were to ride the tower’s elevator to the top, the ride would only last 58 seconds!  

Statue of Peter the Great

As you stroll to the west away from the Kremlin, you’ll see a great statue rising up from what seems the middle of the river, where the Moskva River and Vodootvodny Canal merge. 

The statue doesn’t really rise from the water, but stands upon a small man-made island to create that illusion. Standing 98m-high, the statue depicts Tsar Peter the Great, who reigned from 1682 to 1725, standing on a tower of ships.

The biggest ship at the top is meant to symbolize the Russian Navy, which was created by Peter the Great. In fact, the statue was created to celebrate 300 years of the Russian Navy. 

The statue was designed by Zurab Tsereteli and erected in 1997. However, not everyone liked the statue. You will notice that you cannot walk right up to the base of the statue, and there is a good reason for that. 

Many thought the statue was ugly and disliked it so much that they threatened to destroy it. So, the base has been fenced off to protect the statue from harm. Moscow even offered the city of St. Petersburg the statue, but St. Petersburg declined.

The Luzhniki Olympic Stadium

Across the river to the left of the statue of Peter the Great is the Luzhniki Olympic Stadium. This oval-shaped stadium can seat over 78,000 people. The stadium was first built in 1955 and was originally named Central Lenin Stadium.

A roof was added and other renovations took place in 1996.  This stadium was used for the 1980 Summer Olympics, the 2008 UEFA Champions League Final, the 2013 World Athletics Championships, and it will host the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

The Kremlin from Manege Square

Located right next to the Kremlin and Red Square is Manege Square. This square, which was created in the late 1700s, is rich in history and architectural treasures. 

It is a large, open area where people come to relax, stroll, and meet up to enjoy lunch at a café or to go shopping at Okhotny Ryad, the nearby underground mall. Famous landmarks form the square’s borders.

The buildings of Moscow State University stand on the north side of the square. The Hotel Moskva stands to the east, and  the State Historical Museum to the south.

 On the west side is the Moscow Manege, the riding academy for which the square was named (from the French  word manège , an arena for training horses). Numerous subway lines converge at Manege Square, making it a true Moscow focal point.

Look to the east of the Kremlin, and you’ll see a large open area. This is Red Square. Red Square was not named for the red bricks you see in the surrounding buildings.  Its name comes from the word krasnyi which used to mean beautiful, but has since changed to mean red. 

This area was once a collection of poor, run-down wooden houses. But in the late 1400s, Prince Ivan III (also known as Ivan the Great) ordered the houses torn down to make room for the new Kremlin. 

Senate Palace

To the right of Red Square you’ll see a triangular shaped neoclassicist building. This is the Senate Palace. This building was built between 1776 and 1787 under the orders of Catherine II.

Originally, the building was the home of the Governing Senate of Imperial Russia, but today it is the location of the Russian presidential administration. The building features the circular, 24.7m-diameter Catherine Hall where important ceremonies take place.

Lenin's Mausoleum

To the immediate left of the Senate Palace you’ll notice a small, square structure located along the edge of Red Square. This is Lenin’s Mausoleum, or tomb. Vladimir Lenin was propelled to the role of Russia’s leader by the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917.

His embalmed body has been on display in this tomb since his death in 1924. The step-pyramid-type mausoleum is designed to resemble other famous tombs, such as the Tomb of Cyrus the Great in Iran. 

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