Hanseatic Inspiration: A Unique Antarctic Journey
Hanseatic Inspiration, the state-of-the-art expedition ship by Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, recently completed one of the most spectacular and challenging voyages of our time: a semi-circumnavigation of Antarctica.
Departing from Ushuaia, Argentina, on January 28, 2025, the vessel took its guests beyond the Antarctic Circle and across the International Date Line, finally arriving in Christchurch, New Zealand, on March 2. This rare, demanding, and emotional route retraced the paths of legendary polar explorers. From January 28 to March 2, 2025, the crew and passengers aboard Hanseatic Inspiration followed in the footsteps of pioneers such as Ernest Shackleton and Robert Falcon Scott, visiting iconic sites of polar research. Favorable weather conditions allowed sightings of nearly all regional penguin species, whales, orcas, sea lions, and elephant seals in their pristine habitats.
Hanseatic Inspiration
Hapag-Lloyd Semircumnavigazione dell’Antartide (1)
The journey began with a smooth crossing of the Drake Passage, followed by visits to the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. The first landing took place at Whalers Bay, with spectacular sightings of humpback whales and orcas. Unexpected challenges arose, including an iceberg blocking the Lemaire Channel, forcing Captain Ulf Wolter to alter the course, demonstrating the crew’s adaptability and expertise. The ship continued to Marguerite Bay and then to the remote Ross Sea, one of Antarctica’s most inaccessible areas and home to the largest ice shelf in the world. A detour took travelers to the rarely visited Peter I Island in the Bellingshausen Sea, offering an exciting Zodiac excursion among glaciers and rugged cliffs.
During the voyage, a team of seven experts provided passengers with an extensive program of lectures and insights on marine biology, glaciology, history, and astronomy. Highlights in the Ross Sea included the inaugural landing at Cape Bird on Ross Island—a rare experience for few—and close navigation along the immense ice wall of the Ross Ice Shelf, culminating in a breathtaking view of Mount Erebus. The cruise also visited iconic Antarctic historical sites such as Ross Island, Terra Nova Bay, and Victoria Land, where participants toured the historic huts of Scott and Shackleton. A particularly moving moment was the landing at Shackleton’s hut on February 15, his birthday—a symbolic tribute to the explorer.
The ship reached the expedition’s southernmost point at 77°52.1’ South near McMurdo Station before beginning the return journey, during which orcas, Adelie penguin colonies, and rare emperor penguins—among the most anticipated sightings—were observed. After weeks amid the ice, the ship headed toward New Zealand’s coast, calling at Oban/Stewart Island, explored by Zodiac under clear skies and a gentle breeze. Arrival in Christchurch on March 2 officially marked the conclusion of an unforgettable adventure, blending pristine nature, extreme landscapes, and profound historical significance.
Hapag-Lloyd Semircumnavigazione dell’Antartide (1)
Hapag-Lloyd Semircumnavigazione dell’Antartide (1)
For those wishing to experience this extraordinary journey, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises will offer a new Antarctic semi-circumnavigation in 2027 aboard the sister ship Hanseatic Spirit. The itinerary, identical to the recent one, will run from February 1 to March 5, 2027, lasting 31 days.
The semi-circumnavigation of Antarctica by Hanseatic Inspiration was not only a remarkable nautical achievement but also an authentic voyage into the heart of extreme nature and the historic memory of polar exploration. Amid untouched landscapes, wildlife, and meaningful locations, this cruise provided participants with a deep and transformative experience.
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