As summer 2026 draws to a close, attention is already turning to the next season: 2027, when Hapag-Lloyd Cruises will take its guests on journeys of discovery to some of the most spectacular and remote regions on the planet.
From the allure of Europe’s islands to the untouched landscapes of Alaska and the ice of the High Arctic, the three expedition ships HANSEATIC nature, HANSEATIC inspiration and HANSEATIC spirit will operate itineraries designed for those looking to venture beyond traditional routes. On board, a maximum of 230 guests can enjoy an intimate and immersive experience, with Zodiac excursions, hikes, encounters with wildlife and the expertise of specialist teams offering privileged perspectives on every destination.
An expedition cruise is not simply a journey to a remote destination. It is an experience in which the journey itself can become part of the adventure. Unlike a traditional itinerary, an expedition cruise leaves room for the unexpected: wind, sea conditions, ice and wildlife can influence navigation and prompt changes of course. The captain and crew continuously monitor the situation, assessing the opportunities for exploration as they arise. It is precisely this ability to adapt to prevailing conditions that makes every expedition different.
To navigate such complex environments requires experience, nautical expertise and ships specifically designed to operate in challenging waters. Above all, however, it requires a willingness to be guided by the characteristics of each destination, taking advantage of opportunities that a rigidly scheduled itinerary could not offer.
A recent example comes from the HANSEATIC spirit’s expedition to the Canadian Arctic. Sailing along Ellesmere Island, the ship reached Eureka and continued through Eureka Sound as far as 80 degrees north latitude. During the voyage, polar bears were spotted, tracks of an Arctic wolf were identified and musk oxen were observed in the distance. Since 2015, this was only the second time Hapag-Lloyd Cruises had managed to reach this remote area of the Arctic.
It is this combination of exploration, flexibility and comfort that defines the company’s approach to expedition cruising: a way of travelling in which the destination matters as much as the way it is reached, and in which every change can become an opportunity to discover something new.
For summer 2027, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is offering a selection of itineraries that showcase expedition cruising in all its different forms: from the nature and history of Europe’s archipelagos to the wild expanses of the Arctic, from the glaciers and fjords of Greenland to Alaska’s wildlife and the great waterways of North America.
Even without venturing into the most remote regions of the planet, Europe offers remarkable potential for expedition travel. This is demonstrated by HANSEATIC nature’s itinerary “Azores and Channel Islands: From Atlantic Wonders to Natural Rarities Close at Hand”, scheduled from 12 to 29 May 2027, departing from São Miguel in the Azores. Here, volcanic landscapes and opportunities for whale watching set the scene for a voyage that continues to Porto and Brittany before reaching the five Channel Islands. The journey concludes in Heligoland, from where the small expedition ship continues to Hamburg at the end of May. The itinerary thus combines wildlife observation with the discovery of Europe’s diverse island cultures and identities.
Another interpretation of expedition travel among Europe’s islands is offered by HANSEATIC inspiration with “Wild Scotland and Iceland: From the Highlands to the Land of Elves,” scheduled from 10 to 23 June 2027. From Hamburg, the ship sails towards the Orkney and Shetland Islands, continuing to the Outer Hebrides and finally to Reykjavík, Iceland. It is a journey where history, myths and nature come together: from the Vikings and Stone Age peoples to elves and trolls, and from ancient legends to Iceland’s volcanoes, each destination contributes to a story spanning eras, landscapes and traditions.
It is in the Arctic, however, that the exploratory character of these itineraries becomes most evident, while also embracing an increasingly popular travel trend: “Coolcation”, the search for cooler destinations as an alternative to traditional summer holidays.
In July 2027, HANSEATIC inspiration will reach the far north of Greenland with “Expedition to Northwest Greenland: The Untouched Heart of the Arctic,” scheduled from 8 to 20 July 2027. The route departs from Kangerlussuaq and heads as far as Qaanaaq and Old Thule before returning to its starting point. Along the way, Zodiac excursions, hikes and insights into the history of the great polar expeditions will accompany the discovery of one of the most remote environments on the planet.
Further north still, HANSEATIC nature’s itinerary “Expedition to Svalbard and Norway (Northern Lights Adventure): Arctic, Adventure and Aurora Borealis” will operate from 17 August to 1 September 2027, travelling from Longyearbyen to Hamburg. The voyage connects the High Arctic of Svalbard with the landscapes of Norway’s fjords, taking in glaciers, walruses, the North Cape and the Lofoten Islands. Weather permitting, the journey will also offer the opportunity to witness one of the most spectacular natural phenomena of the northern regions: the Northern Lights.
Greenland once again takes centre stage with HANSEATIC spirit’s “Expedition to Western and Eastern Greenland: Greenland as a Total Work of Art”. On 8 September 2027, the ship will depart from Kangerlussuaq for Hamburg, connecting Greenland’s western coast with its eastern coast, which remains little visited, as well as with the fjords of Northeast Greenland National Park. The route will offer the opportunity to experience and compare different landscapes and environments, turning Greenland into an immersive journey that brings together nature, geography and local cultures.
From the Arctic to North America, the concept of expedition once again takes on different forms. In Alaska, for example, the wilderness takes centre stage in the itinerary “Alaska (Inside Passage): An Immense Wilderness”, scheduled from 12 to 28 July 2027. From Seward to Vancouver, the voyage along the Inside Passage passes through some of the most spectacular landscapes on the continent’s western coast. Around Kodiak Island and Katmai National Park, excursions will offer opportunities to observe bears, whales, orcas and bald eagles. These wildlife encounters will be complemented by fjords and glaciers, as well as calls at Kake, Petersburg and Ketchikan, providing insights into Alaska’s history and culture.
Finally, HANSEATIC inspiration offers a very different expedition with “Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River: City, Country, Lake,” a 22-day voyage scheduled from 10 September to 2 October 2027, travelling from Halifax on Canada’s Atlantic coast to Milwaukee. The itinerary combines calls in Québec and Montréal with sailing along the St. Lawrence River, the Thousand Islands and the Great Lakes, bringing together vast waterways, cities and natural landscapes. Particularly noteworthy is the passage through numerous locks and along the Welland Canal, offering a close look at the technical and geographical features of one of the world’s largest continuous freshwater systems.
Here too, the voyage includes quintessential expedition experiences: hikes, Zodiac excursions and wildlife observation will accompany the discovery of Ontario’s natural environments, adding an exploratory dimension to a journey that brings together nature, engineering, culture and landscape.
For summer 2027, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is inviting guests to discover the world through routes that can reveal new surprises at every turn.
Giorgia Lombardo
