Hapag-Lloyd North West Passage.

In August 2013, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises will be offering a Northwest Passage itinerary on the only 5-star expedition vessel in the world, the MS HANSEATIC. The HANSEATIC’s cruise will be guaranteed bilingual, departing Kangerlussuaq, Greenland on August 16, 2013 for a 24-night voyage starting in Greenland and cruising north of the Arctic Circle and ending in Nome, Alaska on September 9. It is one of the most famous sea routes in the world and has been both a myth and challenge for centuries.

The HANSEATIC premiered the Northwest Passage for Hapag-Lloyd Cruises in 1994. Since then both Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ expedition ships, the HANSEATIC and the BREMEN have successfully cruised through the Northwest Passage a total of twelve times. In summer 2009, for the first time in Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ history, both ships met in the Northwest Passage, travelling in opposite directions.

The legendary passage for the HANSEATIC starts in Greenland and crosses Disko Bay, where guests can observe the bizarrely -shaped icebergs. The ship will then cross the Canadian Arctic, the heart of the Northwest Passage. Thanks to its shallow draught, the HANSEATIC is able to sail close to the Canadian Arctic coast, giving guests box seats on the outer decks for viewing the rugged and icy panoramas of the shores. Guests will be thrilled to encounter caribou, polar bears, musk oxen, bald eagles, and whales, while taking full advantage of the many Zodiac landings to explore the impressive glacial coasts along the route.

Other planned highlights (weather permitting): a visit to a former whaling base on Herschel Island; a landing in Cambridge Bay on Victoria Island, including a visit to the wreck of the "Maud," in which Roald Amundsen conquered the Northwest Passage; zodiac landings in Peel Sound, the Franklin Strait and Larsen Sound; and a stop in Barrow, Alaska, the most northern city in the world.

The voyage-only fares lead-in at £13,210 per person, based on double occupancy for an outside cabin. For more information, visit www.hl-cruises.com.

The HANSEATIC and the BREMEN Provide Up-Close Voyages Through Pristine Alaska

• Two expeditions operated in English/ German in summer 2012 and summer 2013

• Spectacular landscapes and wild, unspoilt nature

• Home of bears, whales and bald eagles

Deep fjords, snow-covered mountains, endless forests and shimmering glaciers, make the spectacular landscape of the biggest state of the USA an unforgettable expedition. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises offers two expedition trips through Alaska in Summer 2012 and Summer 2013 on board the MS HANSEATIC and the MS BREMEN. The HANSEATIC, the world’s only 5-star expedition ship and the BREMEN, a 4-star expedition ship, according to the 2012 Berlitz Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships, were created to provide intensive exploration in the most elegant surroundings for a maximum of 184 guests on the HANSEATIC and 164 guests on the BREMEN.

Summer 2012: The HANSEATIC sets sail in July 2012 through the legendary Inside Passage of Alaska, considered one of the most beautiful waterway passages in the world. Guests can experience the following optional excursions on this trip: a glacier flight, a dogsled trip, a boat trip and hike in the rainforest, a helicopter flight over the glaciers and a ride with the historic White Pass & Yukon Route Railway. Guests will encounter Tracy Arms along the route, a secret known only to insiders and perhaps Alaska's most beautiful fjord, with fabulous views of her steep rock walls. The HANSEATIC will also travel through the Kingdom of Bears and Bald Eagles, where guests may be able to catch sight of whales and sea lions in an impressive natural setting. Additionally, an excursion to Tongass National Park will offer guests insight into the flora and fauna of the largest national park in the USA.

Trip Details: From July 14-20, 2012, from Seward/Alaska to Vancouver/Canada, rates for this itinerary start at EUR 6,714/ GBP 4,700/ USD 8,060 per person.

Summer 2013: The BREMEN set sails for Alaska in June 2013, with a shorter trip through the Inside Passage, highlighting more of the Alaskan islands along the route. Guests will be able to observe colonies of fur seals, while kittiwakes and guillemots circle the seemingly endless sky over the solitary waters on this itinerary. Guests may also catch a glimpse of the impressive bald eagle along the route. An optional excursion to Dutch Harbour is also offered, where passengers can visit the oldest Russian Orthodox church in North America. The BREMEN will get close to the wonders of Alaska, in Amalik and Kukak Bays, where powerful brown bears hunt for food. An overwhelming world of ice awaits guests in front of the still active Hubbard Glacier, as well as magnificent landscape views and whale spotting when the BREMEN sails through the Inian Pass. This voyage concludes with two days through British Columbia’s Inside Passage.

Trip Details: From June 19-July 7, 2013, from Nome/Alaska to Vancouver/Canada, rates for this itinerary start at EUR 7,320/ GBP 5,710/ USD 8,790 per person.

For more information on Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ exciting destinations and itineraries visit www.hl-cruises.com.

MS EUROPA: Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Launches 2013 Brochure

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Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is happy to announce the arrival of their 2013 EUROPA international brochure, including seven exciting itineraries operating in English and German. The highest ranked cruise ship in the world, according to the 2012 Berlitz Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ MS EUROPA is offering cruises to the South Seas, New Zealand, Australia, the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Peninsula, Norway, the Baltics and the Mediterranean in 2013. The EUROPA will be offering three new ports of call on their international itineraries in 2013: Palmerston Atoll/Cook Islands, Picton/New Zealand, and Algiers/Algeria.

Highlights on the EUROPA in 2013:

South Seas Winter 2013: The EUROPA will be in exploring the South Pacific islands in January 2013 for hiking, swimming, and snorkeling in untouched islands, hidden away in the lagoons of the Oceania. The South Seas itinerary is from January 19-February 6, 2013, from Papeete/Tahiti to Auckland/New Zealand, with stops in Bora Bora and Raiatea in French Polynesia, Rarotonga, Aitutaki Atoll, and Palmerston Atoll in the Cook Islands, Neiafu and Nuku’alofa in the Tonga, and the Fiji Islands. Rates for this itinerary start at EUR 6,410/ GBP 5,000/ USD 7,700 per person/based on double occupancy. A new maiden call for the EUROPA in this itinerary includes Palmerston Atoll/Cook Islands.

New Zealand Winter 2013: Breathtaking fjord landscapes and vast green fields offer magnificent sights to be discovered while hiking, kayaking or by a helicopter ride in the North and South Islands of New Zealand in Winter 2013. (Excursions subject to an additional fee.) The New Zealand itinerary is from February 6-February 22, 2013, from Auckland/New Zealand to Sydney Australia, with stops in Tauranga, White Island, Napier, Wellington, Nelson, Picton, Lyttelton, Akaroa, Port Chalmers, and Stewart Island. Rates for this New Zealand itinerary start at EUR 7,680 / GBP 6,000/ USD 9,220 per person/based on double occupancy. A new maiden call for the EUROPA in this itinerary includes Picton/New Zealand.

Indian Ocean in Spring 2013: In the Indian Ocean, a time far removed from everyday life awaits guests on an Asia itinerary in March 2013. The EUROPA will take guests from Singapore‘s glittering skyline, to the snorkeling territory in Malaysia, and then on to enchanting Sri Lanka. This itinerary from March 30-April 13, 2013, is from Singapore to Dubai/United Arab Emirates, with stops in Port Kelang and Bass Harbour in Malaysia, Columbo/Sri Lanka, and Cochin and Mumbai in India. Rates for this Asia itinerary start at EUR 4,540/ GBP 3,550/ USD 5,450 per person/based on double occupancy. Highlights of this itinerary include visits to the historic Malacca, the holy city of Anuradhapura, the ruined city of Sigiriya and the Taj Mahal. (Excursions subject to an additional fee.)

Norway in Summer 2013: EUROPA guests will explore Norway in July 2013, experiencing overwhelming nature during hikes, fishing trips and kayak tours. The itinerary takes passengers as far as the idyllic Lofoten Islands, and standing at the North Cape, a once in a lifetime experience. This Norway cruise is from July 22 – August 3, 2013, from Kiel/Germany to Hamburg/Germany, with stops in the following Norwegian ports: Rosendale, Eidfjord, Alesund, Leknes, Skarsvag, Tromsoe, Geiranger, Hellesylt, and Bergen. This Norway experience starts at EUR 4,980/ GBP 3,890/ USD 5,980 per person/based on double occupancy.

Baltic in Summer 2013: A look back at the Great Russian Empire and the exploration of the treasures of the historical Baltics, awaits guests in summer 2013. The EUROPA travels to the Baltics from August 21-September 2, 2013, from Kiel/Germany to Hamburg/Germany, with stops in Stockholm/Sweden, Helsinki/Finland, St Petersburg/Russia, Tallinn/Estonia, Riga/Latvia, Visby/Poland and Gdynia/Poland. This Baltic adventure starts at EUR 4,990/ GBP 3,900/ USD 5,990 per person/based on double occupancy.

Family conditions

Also new to the EUROPA in 2013, children 11 years of age or younger, sharing a suite with one or two full-price adult passengers, travel free of charge. Children ages 12-15 sharing a suite with two full-price passengers pay EUR 50/ GBP 35/ USD 60 per night, which includes all meals and soft drinks for lunch and dinner. The first voyage to which the new rate applies is on the cruise from Dubai to Malta on April 12 - May 3, 2013.

Classical Music Itineraries for 2013

The EUROPA, known for its exceptional music cruises, once again offers two special classical music itineraries in 2013.

After its very successful debut in 2009, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is presenting Stella Maris International Vocal Competition again for the fifth year in Spring 2013. The Stella Maris concept brings together the world’s most talented up-and-coming young singers from the best opera houses in the world, being judged by the EUROPA audience and a renowned jury in a vocal competition on board. The jury will once again be headed by award-winning Canadian tenor Michael Schade. Stella Maris will occur during a 20-day itinerary in the Arabian Peninsula, from April 13 - May 3, 2013, from Dubai/U.A.E. to Valetta/Malta, with stops in Khasab, Muscat and Salalah in Oman, Aqaba/Jordan, Sharm el Sheik and Hurghada in Egypt, Paphos/Cyprus, and Rhodes and Crete in Greece. Rates for this itinerary start at EUR 7,840/ GBP 6,120/ USD 9,410 per person/based on double occupancy.

In November 2013 the EUROPA will be offering their very popular Ocean Sun Festival, the most prestigious classical music festival at sea. The 11-day music festival cruise from November 19 – 30, 2013, from Nice/France to Madeira/Portugal, with stops in Cannes and Marseille/ France, Barcelona, Valencia and Palma de Mallorca/ Spain, Algiers/Algeria and Casablanca/Morocco. Rates for this itinerary start at EUR 3,830/ GBP 2,990/ USD 4,600 per person/based on double occupancy.

Getting Fit Onboard the EUROPA

With the aim of enhancing the classic sports and fitness program for EUROPA guests, the ship now offers an innovative whole-body workout system called Miha Bodytec. This new technology uses electric micro-impulses (Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) to stimulate all the muscle groups by letting electrical impulses pass through the body. After only a few training sessions phenomenal progress in muscle growth, weight and size reduction, and in skin and tissue tightening are visible. By stimulating about 300 different muscles in just 30 minutes, muscle metabolic activation is equal to several hours of strength training with classical training equipment.

For more information on Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ exciting destinations and itineraries visit www.hl-cruises.com. For bookings or brochure requests, please look for your nearest sales agent in your country at www.hl-cruises.com, link “Contact & Services”. 

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ five star expeditions ship MS HANSEATIC to offer premier voyage in Russia’s Far East

• Circumnavigating the Sea of Okhotsk

• Stops in Kamchatka and the Kuril Islands

In June 2012, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises will be offering their first itinerary through the Sea of Okhotsk in Russia’s Far East, on the only 5-star expedition vessel in the world, the MS HANSEATIC. The HANSEATIC’s itinerary will be fully bilingual, departing Otaru, Japan on June 13, 2012 and concluding in Petropavlovsk, Kamchatka on June 30th. The 17-day expedition voyage will lead through the Sea of Okhotsk and her many islands as well as to Kamchatka and the Kuril Islands. This route, rarely travelled by cruise ships, is one of the last great unexplored sea expeditions in the world.

The wildlife in the Sea of Okhotsk and her many remote islands is some of the richest in the world and the scenery of snow-capped volcanoes, dense forest, tundra and meadow is spectacular. The on-board Zodiacs, small inflatable boats, will take guests ashore to observe wildlife such as Stellar Sea Lions, songbirds, birds of prey, seals and sea otters, up close.

The mostly uninhabited Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia’s easternmost province, is a dramatic landscape of fire and ice, and the distant and isolated Kuril Islands have mesmerized explorers and traders for centuries. Guests will find a unique mixture of endemic birds. Geysers, hot springs and active volcanoes set amidst towering mountains and fast flowing rivers also make this area magnificently unique.

Excursion options of this itinerary include a helicopter flight to the Valley of the Geysers, considered one of the greatest miracles of nature that can only be visited by helicopter; a zodiac ride to Cape Utholoskiy, to hopefully view the brown bear; and a walk around Atlasova, an uninhibited island in the Kuril Islands, with the largest active volcano in the area.

This itinerary starts at EUR 9.027 / GBP 6.448 / USD 10.832 per person, based on double occupancy for an outside cabin.

For more information on Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ exciting destinations and itineraries visit www.hl-cruises.com.

Hapag-Lloyd's 2012/13 Expedition Season

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises announces the arrival of their March 2012-May 2013 expedition brochure. Their small and beautifully appointed expedition ships, MS Hanseatic and MS Bremen, will be offering 12 international (English/German) itineraries next season.

They include travel in Antarctica, the Northwest Passage, Greenland, Spitsbergen, Norway, the Amazon, the South Seas and New Zealand. In addition, the expedition itineraries feature new ports of call in Madagascar and Mozambique and a maiden voyage through theSea of Okhotsk in Russia’s Far East.

The two ships were created to provide intensive exploration in the most elegant surroundings for a maximum of 184 guests on Hanseatic and 164 on Bremen.

Antarctica

Glaciers, icebergs, deep fjords and bays offer the setting for an unforgettable Antarctic 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.

For more info, visit www.hl-cruises.com

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises announces the arrival of their March 2012 - May 2013 expedition brochure. Their small and beautifully appointed expedition ships, MS HANSEATIC and MS BREMEN, will be offering 12 international (English/German) itineraries next season.

They include travel in Antarctica, the Northwest Passage, Greenland, Spitsbergen, Norway, the Amazon, the South Seas and New Zealand. In addition, the expedition itineraries feature new ports of call in Madagascar and Mozambique and a maiden voyage through theSea of Okhotsk inRussia’s Far East. The HANSEATIC, the world’s only 5-star expedition ship and the BREMEN, a 4-star expedition ship, were created to provide intensive exploration in the most elegant surroundings for a maximum of 184 guests on the HANSEATIC and 164 guests on the BREMEN

Expedition Highlights 2012 – 2013 on the HANSEATIC and BREMEN:

SEA OF OKHOTSK - PREMIER EXPEDITIONS

For the first time, the HANSEATIC sets out to circumnavigate the Sea of Okhotsk in Russia’s Far East, taking guests to volcanoes, geysers and glaciers. Zodiac stops on the Sea of Okhotsk include: Iony, a tiny island populated by sea lions and Shantar Islands and Malminskie Islandsnatural sanctuaries for songbirds, birds of prey, seals and sea otters.

Trip Details from June 13-30, 2012, rates for this itinerary start at EUR 9.007 / GBP 6.310 / USD 10.810 per person/ based on double occupancy for an outside cabin

ISLANDS IN THE INDIAN OCEAN – MAIDEN CALLS:

Guests will experience lemurs in pristine nature, animals in the wild, and wonderful beaches on romantic coasts on the HANSEATIC through Mauritius, Madagascar, Mozambique and South Africa.This tropic 16-day adventure will make stops at six new ports along the route, which include stops in the following ports in Madagascar: Maroantsetra, Nosy Hara, Morondava, Nosy Ve,and Toliara and a first time stop in Mozambique, at the picturesque city of Ilha dos Portugueses.

Trip Details: from December 3-19, 2012, rates for this itinerary start at EUR 6.451 / GBP 4.520 / USD 7.750 per person/ based on double occupancy for an outside cabin

THE NORTHWEST PASSAGE: In 2012, the popular Northwest Passage will be offered onboard the HANSEATIC. It starts in Nome/Alaska amidst impressive testimonies of the Inuit culture before the HANSEATIC sails through the Canadian Arctic, the heart of the Northwest Passage and ends in Reykjavik/Iceland.

Trip Details: from August 14 - September 8, 2012, rates for this 25-day itinerary start at EUR 16.480 / GBP 11.540 / USD 19.780 per person/ based on double occupancy for an outside cabin

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. All departs include round-trip airfare from Buenos Aires/Argentina to Ushuaia/Argentina. Dates and rates for the Antarctica cruises’ in late 2012 and early 2013: Trip Details: November 30 - December 15, 2012, on the BREMEN, rates starting at EUR 7.680 / GBP 5.380 / USD 9.220 per person/ based on double occupancy for an outside cabin

Trip Details: January 3 - 18, 2013, on the BREMEN, rates starting at EUR 8.580 / GBP 6.010 / USD 10.300 per person/ based on double occupancy for an outside cabin.

Trip Details: February 13 - March 3, 2013, on the HANSEATIC, rates starting at EUR 10.628 / GBP 7.440 / USD 12.760 per person/ based on double occupancy for an outside cabin.

Expedition Travel At Its Best:

Both ships are well equipped for travel in difficult waters, holding the highest ice class ranking for passenger vessels (E4). Also shallow drafts and high manoeuvrability allow the ships to enter waters larger cruise vessels cannot reach. Guests explore the world’s best-kept secrets in zodiacs (small motorized boats) with only 10-12 guests. Onboard experts include 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. However, what makes these expedition adventures standout for guests is the security of knowing that highly experienced captains are guiding the vessels and have together already traveled to the Arctic and Antarctica more than 200 times.

Educational experiences are the ultimate goals of the expedition trips. Thereby also, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is committed to promoting a responsible way of dealing with nature – among other efforts as a co-founder of the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO) and member of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO). In addition, the HANSEATIC and the BREMEN use low-emission diesel oil rather than heavy fuel oil on cruises to Antarctica, and have been doing so long before the introduction of the current, stricter regulations.

Further Information at http://www.hl-cruises.com/.