The Amazon River remains one of the few waterways where large sections of its basin continue to present limited accessibility, offering expedition routes defined by distance, isolation, and navigational complexity. Within this environment, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises maintains a specialised presence, deploying a small number of manoeuvrable expedition vessels each year.
The operator conducts two dedicated Amazon expeditions annually, navigating between Belém at the river’s delta and the inland Peruvian port of Iquitos. This full upriver and downriver transit, rarely undertaken by cruise operators, has formed part of the company’s programme for nearly three decades, covering approximately 4,000 kilometres through the river system.
The expedition vessel HANSEATIC spirit departed Belém on March 11th, 2026 for an 18-day upstream voyage, marking the commencement of the current season. The route is regarded as technically demanding, requiring vessels with shallow draught and high manoeuvrability to safely transit narrow channels and variable river conditions.
Company management has previously characterised the Amazon as a region of significant natural and cultural interest, indicating that its expedition approach is structured to allow extended observation and informed engagement, supported by onboard expertise and operational experience in the region.
The vessels assigned to these itineraries are designed for remote operations, with limited passenger capacity and equipment suited to off-ship exploration. Auxiliary craft enable landings along tributaries and undeveloped riverbanks, independent of port infrastructure, while onboard teams include specialists and locally experienced guides tasked with identifying wildlife and interpreting environmental conditions
Calls along the river frequently involve settlements accessible only by water, where interaction with local communities forms part of the operational pattern. Over time, repeated visits have established a degree of continuity between expedition crews and riverside populations, with logistical support occasionally extended in the form of basic supplies difficult to obtain in remote areas.
The Amazon voyages remain among the most established itineraries within the company’s expedition portfolio and are typically booked well in advance. Future sailings are already scheduled, with the sister vessel HANSEATIC inspiration assigned to operate the same route in both 2027 and 2028, maintaining continuity in deployment on the river system.