Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Enhances Antarctic Itineraries with Emphasis on the Weddell Sea | Cruise News

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has released details of its 2025-2026 Antarctic expedition program, highlighting several new itineraries that further emphasize the company’s experience in polar operations. Central to the program is the introduction of an extended voyage into the rarely visited Weddell Sea, representing a first for the line.

The new routes include the “Grand Antarctic Route,” combining stops at the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and a transit through the Weddell Sea. Passengers will experience remote landscapes and wildlife encounters, with activities such as snowshoe hikes and Zodiac excursions along ice formations. The itineraries target seasoned travelers with a strong interest in exploration and nature observation.

Isolde Susset, Managing Director of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, noted that the company’s Antarctic voyages are designed to offer exceptional experiences while maintaining high standards of onboard comfort and quality. She added that expert lecturers accompany each expedition, enhancing the educational value of the voyages and providing guests with deeper insights into the Antarctic environment.

All Antarctic sailings will feature extended periods in remote regions, with the support of experienced expedition teams. Guests will encounter unspoiled wildlife habitats, sites of historical significance, and landscapes largely untouched by human activity.

Premiere of Weddell Sea Expedition (SPI2601)

The HANSEATIC spirit will undertake a 22-day expedition dedicated to the eastern portion of the Antarctic Peninsula, focusing on the Weddell Sea. This body of water, known as the coldest sea on Earth, is characterized by heavy pack ice, massive table icebergs, and extensive ice fields. The HANSEATIC spirit, constructed with ice class PC6 and operated by an experienced polar crew, is equipped to navigate these challenging waters with confidence.

Destinations on this itinerary include Paulet Island and Devil Island, where survivors of the 1903 Swedish Nordenskjöld expedition once endured nearly a year in the harsh environment. The area is now populated by thousands of Adélie penguins. The voyage also passes near the historical site where Ernest Shackleton’s vessel, the Endurance, was trapped and sunk in 1915, a pivotal moment in the history of polar exploration.

The expedition will combine intensive wildlife viewing opportunities with landings conducted by Zodiac, offering detailed exploration of both Antarctic and sub-Antarctic regions. Prior to entering Antarctic waters, the HANSEATIC spirit will navigate the fjords of southern Chile, passing through a series of granite-lined waterways, glaciers, and volcanic landscapes during the 2025 Christmas and New Year season. A similar voyage aboard the HANSEATIC inspiration is scheduled for February 2026.

Cape Horn and Antarctic Expedition (SPI2602)

Another notable itinerary, the Antarctic Expedition with Cape Horn, includes a landing at the southernmost tip of South America, a landmark of maritime significance historically regarded as a major challenge for navigators. Subject to weather conditions, guests may land at Cape Horn before proceeding across the Drake Passage to the Antarctic Peninsula.

The voyage will feature landings in regions notable for their glaciers, penguin colonies, and striking coastal formations. The combination of Cape Horn and Antarctic exploration renders this route distinctive, as it will remain the only offering of its kind in the Hapag-Lloyd Cruises program through the end of 2027.