Ready to take an adventure cruise in the lap of luxury? Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has just released their 2013-2014 expeditions brochure, which offers 12 itineraries that are operated in English/German. The line’s adventure ships will be traveling to Alaska, Spitsbergen, Iceland, Greenland, The Northwest Passage, The Amazon, The Chilean Fjords, Antarctica, The South Seas, New Zealand, Antarctica, Africa and Madagascar.
Hapag-Lloyd has two small, beautifully appointed expedition ships, the MS HANSEATIC and the MS BREMEN. The HANSEATIC (184 passengers), is world-renowned as the only 5-star expedition ship and its sister BREMEN (164 passengers), is a 4-star plus expedition ship.
The ships are designed for the ultimate in luxury, even amidst difficult waters, holding the highest ice class ranking for passenger vessels (E4). Shallow drafts and high maneuverability allow the ships to enter waters larger cruise vessels cannot reach, and passengers explore the environments up close in zodiacs (small motorized boats) which hold only 10-12 guests.
The line also employs onboard experts, including a team of experienced scientists, expedition leaders and specialists who guide landings and offer guests the rare opportunity to observe plant and animal life up close.
These ships offer expedition adventures and the security of knowing that only highly experienced captains are guiding the vessels and have together already traveled to the Arctic and Antarctica more than 200 times.
Here’s information on the cruises, straight from the line:
EXPEDITION 2013-2014 ON THE HANSEATIC AND BREMEN
The Earth’s Most Southern Continent – Antarctica
Glaciers, icebergs, deep fjords and bays offer the setting for an unforgettable Antarctica expedition. In addition to observing bird colonies, guests will also have the opportunity to explore the Falkland Islands and South Georgia, bath in the hot springs on Deception Island and observe whales in the Antarctic Sound. Both departures include round-trip airfare from Buenos Aires/Argentina to Ushuaia/Argentina.
Antarctica Circle: This 18-day itinerary on the HANSEATIC is from February 13-March 3, 2013.
Antarctica: This 18-day itinerary on the BREMEN is from January 9-27, 2014.
Secrets of the Exotic Pacific – New Zealand and The South Seas
With the small, maneuverable BREMEN, guests will discover the remote island of the South Seas and New Zealand in Spring and Fall 2013. Deserted beaches, lavish rainforests, as well as exotic fragrances and colors await guests in the South Seas, while vast fjords, thick forests, and rich flora and fauna welcome guests in the “land of the long white cloud,” New Zealand.
New Zealand: This 15-day New Zealand itinerary on the BREMEN is from March 4 – March 19, 2013 from Bluff/New Zealand to Auckland/New Zealand.
South Seas Spring: This 17-day South Seas Spring itinerary on the BREMEN, with stops in Australia, New Caledonia, and Fiji, is from March 19-April 5, 2013 from Auckland/New Zealand to Lautoka/Fiji.
South Seas Fall: This 22-day South Seas Fall itinerary on the HANSEATIC, makes stops in Palau, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Island, from October 15-November 6, 2013, from Manila/Philippines to Lautoka/Fiji.
Nature in a Gold Rush – The Inside Passage of Alaska
The BREMEN sets sail in June 2013 through the legendary Inside Passage of Alaska, considered one of the most beautiful waterway passages in the world. The BREMEN will take guests right to the heart of the untouched habitat of bears, walruses and eagles.
Trip Details: This 16-day itinerary is from June 20-July 6, 2013, from Nome/Alaska to Vancouver/Canada.
Three Adventures in One – Spitsbergen, Iceland, Greenland
Between Spitsbergen’s breathtaking glaciers, the mighty volcanoes of Iceland and the ice-covered coasts of Greenland, guests will experience the entire diversity and beauty of the Arctic wilderness aboard the HANSEATIC in July 2013.
Trip Details: This 18-day itinerary is from July 14-August 1, 2013, from Longyearbyen/Spitsbergen to Kangerlussuaq/Greenland.
The World’s Most Mysterious Route – The Northwest Passage
In 2013, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ popular Northwest Passage will be offered onboard the HANSEATIC. On this legendary route, guests will see evidence of the Inuit culture and the traces of former adventurers as well as encounter polar bears and whales.
Trip Details: This 24-day itinerary is from August 16-September 9, 2013, from Kangerlussuaq/Greenland to Nome/Alaska.
Paradise on Earth – Expedition Madagascar and Africa
Between huge baobabs and grand volcanic mountains, between unexplored rainforests and pristine beaches, guests will explore this jewel of the Indian Ocean, Madagascar on the BREMEN in Winter 2013. This itinerary concludes with an optional South African safari.
New ports: Madagascar – Nosy Hara, Mahajanga, Morondovar, Nosy B├®
Trip Details: This 17-day itinerary is from December 1-18, 2013 from Port Louis/Mauritius to Cape Town/South Africa.
The Greatest Adventure of Your Life – Semi Circumnavigation of Antarctica
It’s one of the greatest adventures of our time – the semi circumnavigation of Antarctica. In the past, courageous researchers and pioneers had to endure unimaginable exertions and deprivations to explore the mysterious sixth continent. Travel from South America to New Zealand aboard the HANSEATIC, along a magnificent route that only a few explorers have ever mastered.
New ports: New Zealand – Bluff and Auckland Island
Trip Details: This 26-day itinerary is from January 25-February 21, 2014, from Ushuaia/Argentina (includes a charter flight from Buenos Aires) to Bluff/New Zealand.
In the Land of a Thousand Contrasts – Chilean Fjords
Snow-covered peaks and blue mountain lakes; bizarrely elevated granite towers and flowing waterfalls plunging into silent mountain lakes, massive glaciers rising into the blue sky, and the Andean condor flying impressively over his kingdom – the Chilean fjords are one of the most spectacular natural landscapes in the world, and will be explored by the BREMEN in Winter 2014.
Trip Details: This 18-day itinerary is from February 28-March 18, 2014, from Ushuaia/Argentina (includes a charter flight from Buenos Aires) to Callao/Lima/Peru.
On the River of Life – Amazon
Unforgettable impressions await guests in the awe-inspired nature of the greatest rainforest in the world, the Amazon. Guests will step into the Zodiacs of the BREMEN and discover, along narrow and anfractuous waterways, the power and magic of the gigantic river which defines the rhythm of South America.
Trip Details: This 16-day itinerary is from April 24-May 10, 2014, from Iquitos/ Peru (includes a charter flight from Lima) to Belem/Brazil.