Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has unveiled the bulk of its summer 2027 expedition programme, and it reads like a sampler of the world's wild corners: the Azores, Scotland's islands, Greenland, Spitsbergen, Alaska and even a full transit of the Great Lakes. Bookings are open now, with an early booking discount on selected sailings until October 31, 2026 — prices below reflect that reduction.
The expedition concept, as the line's managing director Isolde Susset describes it, hinges on Zodiac landings: reaching uninhabited bays, watching wildlife in its own habitat and getting to spots you simply can't drive to. All the itineraries run on the line's expedition ships — Hanseatic Nature, Hanseatic Inspiration and Hanseatic Spirit.
For Europe lovers, two standouts. A 17-day Azores and Channel Islands voyage aboard Hanseatic Nature (May 12-29) starts in São Miguel and threads volcanic islands, whale-watching waters, Porto, Brittany and all five Channel Islands, finishing via Heligoland to Hamburg, from €10,750 per person. Then Hanseatic Inspiration's 13-day Wild Scotland and Iceland trip (June 10-23) runs from Hamburg via Orkney, Shetland and the Outer Hebrides to Reykjavik, from €9,550.
The coolcation contingent gets three options. A 12-day Northwest Greenland expedition (July 8-20) sails roundtrip from Kangerlussuaq to Qaanaaq and Old Thule, from €14,070. The 15-day Spitsbergen and Norway sailing (August 17-September 1) goes from Longyearbyen to Hamburg via glaciers, walruses, the North Cape and the Lofoten Islands, with a possible Northern Lights finale, from €10,990. And the deepest cut: a 19-day September voyage linking Greenland's west coast with the rarely visited east, including the fjords of Northeast Greenland National Park, from €17,040.
North America features twice. The 16-day Alaska Inside Passage trip (July 12-28) runs from Seward to Vancouver with bear, whale and orca watching around Kodiak and Katmai, from €14,650. Then there's the intriguing one for sailors of a certain disposition: a 22-day Great Lakes and St. Lawrence voyage (September 10-October 2) from Halifax to Milwaukee, taking in Quebec, the Thousand Islands and a lock transit through the Welland Canal, from €17,430.
All fares are Platinum-class, per person, double occupancy, and include the travel package plus the early booking discount. If any of these appeal, the October 31 deadline is the date to circle.
Who's this for? Travellers who want small-ship, wildlife-forward trips with proper onboard comfort, and who plan far ahead — expedition cabins on polar routes tend to sell out well over a year out. The Greenland and Spitsbergen sailings suit serious Arctic enthusiasts, while the Azores and Great Lakes trips work well for those after scenery and ports without expedition-level weather risk.
