Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is accepting non-binding and free of charge pre-bookings for its 2022/2023 global programs.
The German cruise line’s “Exclusive Preview” schedule spans September/October 2022 until the end of September 2023. Sailings are offered aboard Europa and Europa 2, along with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ expedition fleet – HANSEATIC nature, HANSEATIC inspiration and HANSEATIC spirit.
In this part of the world and for its German-speaking guests, Europa will offer a 23-day sailing from Auckland to Brisbane in late February/March 2023 that will include visits to Milford Sound, Hobart, Port Arthur, Burnie, Melbourne and Sydney.
The 2022/23 sailings on the internationally marketed (and English-speaking) Europa 2 includes the cruise line’s two-year rotation between Australia and South America, with 2022/2023 marking a return to local waters.
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Europa 2‘s Oceania program
A limited number of voyages in the Oceania region on the 516-passenger ship are available, including the following options:
- 17-day Christmas in the land of Kangaroos and Koalas itinerary; Benoa (Bali) to Lautoka (Fiji), departing on 20 December 2022
- 14-day The island realms of the South Seas voyage; Lautoka (Fiji) to Auckland, departing on 6 January 2023
- 18-day New Zealand: a dream destination cruise; Auckland to Sydney, departing on 20 January 2023, and;
- 16-day Highlands from Down Under journey; Sydney to Bali (Benoa), departing on 7 February 2023.
After making its way south from Darwin with calls at Lizard Island, Cairns and Airlie Beach, Europa 2 will branch out in an easterly direction from Brisbane into the South Pacific for three weeks in January 2023, exploring New Caledonia (Noumea and Isle of Pines), Fiji (Denarau/Lautoka, Somosomo/Taveuni and Leleuvia), Vanuatu (Champagne Bay and Mystery Island) before returning to Noumea and onwards to New Zealand.
The New Zealand voyage from Auckland will cruise to Tauranga, Gisborne, Wellington, New Plymouth, Nelson, Kaikoura Bay, Christchurch, Stewart Island and Milford, Thompson and Doubtful Sounds. The voyage concludes in Sydney on 7 February.
Europa 2′s final voyage in the Oceania region heads north along the Australian east coast from Sydney, making calls at Brisbane, Great Keppel Island, Airlie Beach, Townsville, Cairns and Darwin, then heads across the Timor Sea bound for Benoa (Bali).
Close to home sailings
For discerning travellers looking for close-to-home sailings, Hapag Lloyd Cruises has a 15-day Southeast Asia cruise between Bali and Hong Kong departing on 22 February 2023. This sailing includes Semarang (Java), Pulau Menyawakan, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and the fabled Halong Bay.
This cruise is followed by a 17-day sailing from Hong Kong to Tokyo, visiting Xiamen, Shanghai, Beijing, Nagasaki, Busan and Shimizu. After which is a 16-day Japan in depth itinerary exploring Kobe, Beppu, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Busan, Seoul, Taipei and ending back in Hong Kong.
Expedition cruising options
Of its three expedition ships, HANSEATIC inspiration is the only vessel that caters for English-speaking guests. In the 2022/2023 program, destinations for HANSEASTIC inspiration include Antarctica, South and Central America, Western Arctic, Western Europe and the Atlantic Islands and the Great Lakes and East Coast of America.
In Antarctica there are 10 departures offered on HANSEATIC inspiration, ranging from 20- to 23-days in length, operating roundtrip from Ushuaia.
Fresh-faced CEO
Meanwhile, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has welcomed Julian Pfitzner as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Pfitzner takes on the role after Hapag-Lloyd Cruises was integrated under the overarching TUI Cruises brand, which saw former CEO Karl Pojer step down.
“It was an important step to integrate the successful and powerful Hapag-Lloyd Cruises brand into the joint venture between the TUI Group and Royal Caribbean. I have actively and intensively accompanied and shaped this route. Now it is the right time to hand over the tasks and the further path to the new management,” Pojer said.
For more details on the program, see hl-cruises.com/preview/your-exclusive-preview