Hapag-Lloyd Cruises: Growth through new expedition ships

2016 was the best year in Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ history, and the company intends to continue its growth roadmap. At the ITB in Berlin, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises CEO Karl Pojer presented the concept and the name of the two new expedition cruise ships scheduled for delivery in 2019.

In expanding its fleet, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has focused on the strong HANSEATIC brand name and has named the new builds in its 5-star expedition segment HANSEATIC nature and HANSEATIC inspiration. In the framework of its growth strategy, TUI Group increasingly focuses on its own hotels and cruise ships. The expedition ships, both of which feature an identical construction, will each accommodate up to 230 passengers, or up to 199 guests on Antarctic expeditions. Alongside the highest ice class for passenger ships, each vessel also offers three restaurants and an extensive wellness and fitness area.

The design concept “Inspired by nature“ reflects the expedition spirit and is the creative idea underlying the two ships. The on-board design highlights include the two extendible glass balconies. HANSEATIC nature and HANSEATIC inspiration have been fitted with cutting-edge equipment and environmental technology. In a highly complex process, the hulls of the two ships have been optimised such to achieve the maximum reduction in fuel consumption for the propulsion system and cut overall bunker consumption.