
With a preview of 127 routes with the “best fleet in the world”*, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is tempting cruise enthusiasts with extraordinary destinations, unforgettable moments of indulgence and unique experiences.
Interested parties can now reserve their desired routes and make a non-binding prebooking – online at www.hl-cruises.com/preview, in person through the customer centre or at a trusted travel agency.
The new cruises can be viewed digitally, and printed brochures are also available for the luxury and expedition segments.

The cruises will be available for binding booking from December 2025, when detailed information, including prices, will also be published.
With new cruises on the two luxury ships EUROPA and EUROPA 2 as well as the three structurally identical expedition ships HANSEATIC nature, HANSEATIC inspiration and HANSEATIC spirit, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is once again demonstrating how over 130 years of experience in route planning pays off.
Whether near or far, relaxation or adventure, pristine nature or vibrant cities – the diverse cruise programme offers the right experience for every type of traveller.
In addition to proven classics and varied special-format cruises, guests can look forward to exciting premiere destinations and new destination combinations.
Luxury cruises amid cherry blossoms, Caribbean charm and cultural cities
The EUROPA and EUROPA 2 will kick off 2028 with carefully coordinated itineraries so the routes of the two luxury ships do not overlap and offer maximum variety in terms of destinations.
From January to April 2028, Asia will be the focus of the EUROPA’s season of long-distance destinations: in addition to two intensive cruises around the Philippines, Japan will return to the itinerary as a trend destination for globetrotters and cosmopolitans, just in time for the cherry blossom season.
Southeast Asia boasts a wonderful mix of tropical islands and vibrant cities, with easily accessible ports of transfer such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh City and Yokohama offering additional comfort and flexibility.
Before the EUROPA returns to waters closer to home, it will explore the Indian Ocean around Cape Town and sail to the Canary Islands.
In the summer of 2028, the small luxury ship will then remain in the Mediterranean for a particularly intensive season: with short cruises to the Cote d’Azur, a comprehensive north-south cruise along the Italian coast and island-hopping on Corsica, Sardinia and the Balearic Islands, the programme includes cruises of between 5 and 13 days that promise a variety of experiences and combine indulgence, culture and relaxation.
The EUROPA features gastronomy of the highest standard, including unique culinary experiences at THE GLOBE by three-star chef Kevin Fehling and the caviar restaurant Pearls.
From August to September 2028, the EUROPA will then explore Western Europe and the Baltic Sea from German ports before setting sail for Canada via Greenland in October to experience the magic of Indian summer.
In November and December, the ship will sail along the US East Coast and through the southern states to the Caribbean, before the maximum of 400 guests experience the exotic fauna and diverse flora of Colombia, Costa Rica and Panama at Christmas.
For a longer break on board, the EUROPA offers route combinations of between 54 and 108 days.
As for the EUROPA 2, the ship will sail to distant locations in Central America in 2028: Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia are on the programme for January, followed in February by cruises to and from Miami, offering southern charm in New Orleans and Galveston as well as Caribbean beaches and Mayan culture in Mexico.
The EUROPA 2 will then cross the Atlantic from the ABC Islands – via Cape Verde, the Canary Islands and the Azores along the coast of Western Europe – before returning to its home port of Hamburg in April.
Until mid July, the small luxury ship will explore Western Europe, the Baltic Sea and Norway from German ports – with two calls on Svalbard, cruising in St. Jonsfjord and the North Cape back on the itinerary for the first time in many years.
The route will then continue through the western and eastern Mediterranean. The Orient is back on the itinerary as well.
On the nine-day pre-Christmas cruise, guests can experience the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman while the subsequent Christmas cruise from Dubai to Singapore – including the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Malaysia – offers sandy white beaches instead of snow flurries.
From Aldabra to the Antarctic: a premiere for the expedition fleet
In 2028, the new expedition class of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises will celebrate a premiere in its range of routes on offer.
Until now, the three small and manoeuvrable ships have spent the winter months navigating the icy wonderlands of the north and south.
While the HANSEATIC inspiration and HANSEATIC spirit continue to explore the Antarctic, the HANSEATIC nature will spend the season in warmer climes.
Until March 2028, the ship will sail in the Indian Ocean, focusing on Madagascar and the Seychelles, where it will land at remote atolls such as Aldabra, which, due to strict visitor limits, can only be called at by small expedition ships.
The maximum of 230 guests can look forward to frequent use of the on-board Zodiacs, guided hikes and walks, beach breaks and snorkelling adventures – accompanied by experts who provide insights into the unique flora and fauna, including the famous Aldabra giant tortoises.
In the winter of 2028/2029, the HANSEATIC nature will head to northern Europe again, offering shorter cruises alongside classic routes – for example, to the Baltic Sea or as a Northern Lights expedition to the North Cape and Geirangerfjord, which can also be combined into longer cruises.
On board the three expedition ships, three restaurants – including one speciality restaurant – as well as the approximately 235 m2 (2,529 ft2) OCEAN SPA featuring a sauna with an ocean view and steam bath, a fitness room with a range of classes and a pool with counter-current system round off the expedition experience.
The structurally identical HANSEATIC inspiration and HANSEATIC spirit will spend the winter months until February 2028 in the Antarctic.
New to the programme are two short cruises of 14 days to South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula.
These are complemented by various classic routes, which include thrilling days in the Weddell Sea, the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and crossing the Antarctic Circle before setting course for the Antarctic Peninsula.
The popular semi-circumnavigation from the tip of Tierra del Fuego to New Zealand is also back on the programme. From November 2028, both ships will return to the fascinating world of ice.
In spring and summer 2028, the HANSEATIC inspiration and HANSEATIC spirit will focus on discovering new destinations off the beaten track.
The HANSEATIC spirit will take its guests to Indonesia with three different routes and unforgettable days in the underwater paradise of Raja Ampat and to the Kimberley region in Western Australia for the first time: an 18-day expedition will feature spectacular Zodiac trips on King George River and at Montgomery Reef as well as the Houtman Abrolhos archipelago.
Meanwhile, the HANSEATIC inspiration will undertake two Amazon cruises in April before heading for the Great Lakes.
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is the only operator worldwide to combine all five lakes in one cruise.
The small expedition ship was recently awarded a distinction in the “Routes” category at the Kreuzfahrt Guide Awards.
In 2028, the HANSEATIC inspiration will continue to set standards in terms of routes that are not only diverse but also exceptional: in early summer and autumn, guests can look forward to diverse routes with premiere calls including at Cleveland and Alpena, expedition days on Lake Superior, a waterbody that is rarely visited, and new route combinations extending to Labrador, Newfoundland and Greenland.
*Insight Guides Cruising & Cruise Ships 2025
Source: Hapag-Lloyd Press
Images: © Hapag-Lloyd Cruises 2025
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