Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has introduced a series of new itineraries for its 2027-2028 season, expanding its global deployment with inaugural routes across the Indian Ocean, the Philippines, the American West Coast and North America's Great Lakes. The programme, covering the company's luxury and expedition fleet, places particular emphasis on first-time sailings and destinations that have not previously featured in its seasonal offerings.
Among the highlights, EUROPA will undertake its first voyage linking South, Central and North America along the Pacific coast. The 29-day itinerary, departing in February 2027, will sail from Valparaíso to San Francisco, visiting eight countries and combining ports in Peru and Costa Rica with a transit beneath the Golden Gate Bridge before reaching California.
In 2028, EUROPA will also debut an in-depth exploration of the Philippines through two consecutive voyages featuring 13 calls at 10 ports. The programme includes Manila alongside smaller islands and anchorages, while Mantigue Island will become a maiden call for the vessel. The paired itineraries are designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the archipelago's cultural and natural diversity.
EUROPA 2 will introduce a new South Pacific route that includes Papua New Guinea and Palau, bringing guests to remote island communities and regions rarely visited by cruise ships. Another first for the vessel will be a voyage along Costa Rica's Pacific coastline, featuring inaugural calls at destinations including Isla Tortuga and Puerto Jiménez. The itinerary will focus on the country's biodiversity, with opportunities to explore rainforests, mangroves, national parks and coastal landscapes.
The expedition fleet will also see several notable additions. For the first time, HANSEATIC nature will spend the winter season in the Indian Ocean rather than the polar regions, operating voyages to Madagascar, Mauritius and the Seychelles. The vessel's expedition capabilities will allow access to remote islands and protected atolls with limited visitor numbers. At the same time, the Antarctic programme has been expanded with three compact 14-day expeditions concentrating on South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula for travellers seeking shorter polar voyages.
In North America, HANSEATIC inspiration will become the only expedition vessel to combine all five Great Lakes with a transit of the St. Lawrence River in a single itinerary during the summer of 2027. Meanwhile, HANSEATIC spirit will introduce a new expedition to Australia's remote Kimberley region in May 2028, further extending the line's portfolio of exploration-focused sailings.
The 2027-2028 programme includes more than 500 ports of call worldwide, with bookings covering both luxury voyages aboard EUROPA and EUROPA 2 and expedition cruises operated by the three HANSEATIC vessels.