Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has confirmed two of its purpose-built expedition ultra-luxury ships will begin sailing from Antarctica for the 2021/22 season this season, resuming their original schedule.
Between them, sister-ships HANSEATIC nature and HANSEATIC inspiration will operate 10 sailings from Ushuaia, Argentina after an almost 18 months hiatus due to the pandemic. The vessels have a capacity of just 199 passengers.
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“Since summer 2020 we have been systematically and carefully following our strategy of bringing the Hapag-Lloyd Cruises fleet back to sea in stages and gradually returning to the original timetables,” said Julian Pfitzner, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. “With our latest new build, the entire fleet with guests has been back on the seas since the summer of this year.”
“The start of the Antarctic season with two of our expedition ships is another milestone for which we have prepared intensively,” Pfitzner added.
“It was never a matter of course for us in the past to make these special travel experiences possible. After the experiences of the past year and a half, every moment, every experience on site becomes all the more valuable. We appreciate the trust of our guests,” Pfitzner said.
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has over 30 years’ experience in expedition cruising and now features a young and ultra-modern expedition fleet and an experienced crew.
HANSEATIC nature and HANSEATIC inspiration spent one winter season before the pandemic in Antarctica – now they are returning for five months and the anticipation among the crew and guests is great. All voyages are carried out within the framework of the comprehensive and tried-and-tested hygiene concept, which is also implemented by the local partners on site. All guests and crew must have COVID-19 vaccination protection to cruise with the line.
HANSEATIC nature departs for Ushuaia on 9 November 2021, arriving at the end of the month. On 28 November 2021, she will set off for the first 18-day Antarctic expedition to destinations in South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. On 5 December 2021, HANSEATIC inspiration will start her first Antarctic voyage from Ushuaia.
Of the two ships, HANSEATIC inspiration offers bilingual voyages for English- and German-speaking guests.
Each Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ sailing is accompanied by experts including biologists, glaciologists and geologists.
For more details on the upcoming season’s deployment, click here.