Hapag-Lloyd Cruises said bookings will open Jan. 23 for its
two new expedition ships expected in 2019.
The 230-passenger Hanseatic Nature is scheduled to launch in
April followed by a sister ship, the Hanseatic Inspiration, in October.
Hapag-Lloyd will devote the Nature to German-speaking
markets, with the Inspiration serving an international clientele similar to its
Europa 2 luxury ship.
Hulls for the ships are being built at the Vard shipyard in
Romania and will be relocated to Norway for interior finishing.
The Hanseatic Inspiration will have two retractable observation balconies.
At a media briefing in New York, Hapag-Lloyd CEO Karl Pojer
said there are 6,411 pre-bookings, or indications of interest, for the
Inspiration. Pojer said he would like to
have travel agents onboard to understand the new ship, but that the conversion
rate of pre-bookings will determine how many spaces are available.
Hapag-Lloyd currently offers expedition cruises on the
27-year-old Hanseatic, which will be returned to the owner when it comes off
charter in October, Pojer said.
The Inspiration will be able to carry 25% more passengers
and will have a more efficient and modern design.
Features will include a sort of bow promenade that will let
passengers get close to icebergs, wildlife and other sights. Also new will be a
retractable glass observation balcony on either side of the ship about 50 feet
above the waterline.
"Our philosophy is we want to have as much outside
space as possible," Pojer said.
The ship will be built for all-weather operations, capable
of cruising both in Antarctica and on the Amazon River. The hardened hull will
be capable of breaking through three feet of ice.
Rendering of the observation lounge on the Hanseatic Inspiration.
Excursions will be included in the price and the ship comes
equipped with two tenders and 17 Zodiac-style inflatable boats.
Dining venues will include a 184-seat main restaurant, a
178-seat bistro with indoor/outdoor seating and a 44-seat specialty restaurant
offering Peruvian and Japanese cuisine.
In addition to the Amazon and Antarctica, itineraries will
include the North Sea, Greenland, the Canadian Arctic, Canada/New England, a
Caribbean itinerary and the U.S. Great Lakes.
A 118-page color catalog describing the ship and its
itineraries has just been printed and is available from Hapag-Lloyd.