Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has confirmed its Northern Europe expedition cruises departing from Hamburg for the 2026/27 winter season. HANSEATIC nature will take guests on a journey to experience the Arctic wilderness, immerse themselves in Nordic culture, and witness the spectacular Northern Lights.
With a maximum capacity of just 230 guests, the small expedition ship will explore the icy landscapes of Northern Europe from October 2026 through April 2027. The program includes seven Northern Lights voyages, an Advent cruise in the Baltic Sea with calls at Stockholm and Copenhagen, three Lapland cruises to Kemi, and a voyage to Vaasa as the Baltic Sea awakens from its winter slumber. All itineraries begin and end in Hamburg, ensuring convenient embarkation and disembarkation.
Meanwhile, the sister ships HANSEATIC inspiration and HANSEATIC spirit will be exploring Antarctica in the Southern Hemisphere.
HANSEATIC nature will sail along Norway's spectacular fjord coastline, navigating through narrow archipelagos and deep fjords accessible only to small expedition ships before reaching the North Cape. Guests will experience iconic Nordic landscapes, including the Lofoten Islands, Geirangerfjord, Alta, and Tromsø—the "Gateway to the Arctic Ocean"—offering a fascinating glimpse into life north of the Arctic Circle.
The highlight of the voyage will undoubtedly be the opportunity to witness the Northern Lights. Thanks to heightened solar activity, the chances of seeing this extraordinary natural phenomenon are particularly high, often directly from the ship's open decks beneath clear night skies and far from sources of artificial light.
Guests will also be able to enjoy a wide range of outdoor winter activities suitable for all fitness levels, including dog sledding, snowshoe hiking, relaxing sauna sessions on the edge of the fjords, and kayaking while wearing specialized thermal suits. Visits to ice hotels and cultural experiences, both on board and ashore, will further enrich the journey with insights into the traditions of the Sámi people.
During the Easter holidays, the cruise will combine the peaceful atmosphere of the late-winter northern Baltic Sea with an itinerary through Sweden, Finland, and the Baltic States, extending as far as Poland and Denmark. One of the highlights will be an expedition day in the Gulf of Bothnia, reaching the edge of the sea ice and offering guests the opportunity to admire breathtaking frozen winter landscapes.
Two voyages aboard HANSEATIC nature have been specifically adapted to seasonal conditions in order to provide a carefully planned and safe winter expedition experience. Although the Gulf of Bothnia is considered a hidden gem during the winter months, its constantly changing ice conditions require itineraries to take advantage of the most stable periods of ice coverage throughout the season. Following several particularly cold winters, ice coverage has increased significantly; however, outside January and February the area cannot be navigated reliably, even by polar expedition vessels such as HANSEATIC nature. In addition, icebreakers must ensure the region's essential supply routes remain operational during this period.
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is regarded as the leading luxury and expedition cruise brand in the German-speaking market. Its fleet consists of small, distinctive, and exceptional ships within their respective categories, including the luxury vessels EUROPA and EUROPA 2, as well as the state-of-the-art HANSEATIC class of expedition ships.
Since 2020, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has been part of TUI Cruises GmbH, one of the leading cruise operators in the German-speaking market. TUI AG is also involved in a joint venture with the U.S.-based cruise company Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., which also operates the Mein Schiff fleet.
The 2026/27 winter season will offer a particularly special opportunity, as Scandinavian cruises will be suspended during the following season. Instead, HANSEATIC nature will head for the western Indian Ocean, exploring remote islands, atolls, and coastlines around Madagascar and the Seychelles, offering guests the chance to enjoy warmer waters in contrast to the existing winter program among the Arctic ice.
Lucia Angeli