Explore New Lands With Hapag-Lloyd

You know we love our adventure cruising here at World of Cruising, hence anything new in this vein immediately gets our attention. Luxury expedition-cruise company Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is featuring several new adventurous routes in 2014, pioneering the way for ships Hanseatic (above) and Bremen through the Northeast Passage and into the polar regions.

These exclusive and individual expedition cruises feature a maximum of 175 passengers and with the highest ice class for passenger ships, yet they remain superbly comfortable and stylish on board.

The design of each ship – with a low draught of just 4.8metres, maximum lengths of 122.8m (Hanseatic) and 111.5m (Bremen) – allows them to travel to destinations previously inaccessible to a cruise ship.

Says Thilo Natke, Captain of the Hanseatic: “When we offer new destinations with our expedition ships, we have to consult alternative sources and collect all the information we can find about the planned route. This is how we can paint a more accurate picture, which allows us to optimise our itinerary and prepare the excursions on land, together with the expedition leaders. 

"Then, for example, we research whether there have already been excursions ashore at the cruise destination, whether it was perhaps traversed by a sailing boat and whether there are any other cruises to the destination region on offer. The fact the expedition cruises do not call at traditional cities is also a challenge. Special excursions on land – for example in the tundra or on a remote island – are organised instead. Here we use our on-board Zodiacs.”

A cruise premiere: In 2014, the Hanseatic will be the first non-Russian passenger ship to traverse the Northeast Passage through the Russian Arctic. Other unique voyages include both the Arctic and Antarctic, Central America and Panama, Australasia, the Amazon and Alaska.

More info: call +49 40 3001 4580 (English-speaking hotline) or visit www.hl-cruises.com.

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Hapag-Lloyd's Honeymoon & Wedding Anniversary Specials

Weddings, honeymoons and anniversaries take on a special quality at sea, and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises have acknowledged that by introducing a special new honeymoon and wedding anniversary programme. 

The 500-guest Europa 2 (above) is now offering something very special to newlyweds and couples celebrating their milestone anniversary on board - the exclusive “Honeymoon Special." At no extra cost, it is designed to spoil couples and features a welcome bottle of champagne, flowers, a romantic dinner for two and on-board credit to the value of €300 (per couple), which can be used to purchase beverages and Spa treatments.

The lovers’ dinner, accompanied by the appropriate wines, will be served in the French-inspired Restaurant Tarragon. With seating for a maximum of 44 guests - and tables for two - it is the perfect setting for a romantic evening.

The honeymoon special applies to Europa 2 cruises booked no later than six months after the wedding ceremony, as well as for milestone wedding anniversaries, e.g. the 10th, 20^th, 25^th or 40^th, provided the holiday begins up to one month before or after the anniversary date.

More info: visit www.hl-cruises.com or call +49 40 3001 4580 (English-speaking hotline).

The new edition of World of Cruising is now out, and you can see the digital version online on our home page at www.worldofcruising.co.uk. To subscribe at our special offer rate for 2014, see this link. 

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Europa 2 In Focus

Europa 2 was the signature luxury cruise feature in our new-look Jan/Feb issue (see more at www.worldofcruising.co.uk) and the new-in-2013 ship is already being hailed as THE most luxurious vessel on the high seas anywhere.

 

Contributing editor Gary Buchanan highlighted all the many amenities and services aboard as "improving upon perfection," and the German line Hapag-Lloyd Cruises clearly have a unique and impressive product on their hands.

 

Previously, Hapag-Lloyd have marketed primarily to the German-speaking market, with a handful of 'international' voyages aboard their deluxe fleet. But now they are looking to make Europa 2 (including its amazing Cooking School facility - above) a truly international vessel - and they have just announced a range of special offers to prove it.

 

Here is what they are offering: 

 

From Hamburg to Southampton – Taster Cruise

June 23; 2 nights, from £840 per person, cruise only (Guaranteed Veranda/Ocean Suite cat. 0).

 

From Southampton to Barcelona – Business Class flights with British Airways from Barcelona to London Gatwick are included.

June 25,;10 nights, via La Coruna, Lisbon, Cadiz, Malaga and Valencia, from £3,990 per person (Guaranteed Veranda/Ocean Suite cat. 0).

 

From Valletta to Valletta - Business Class return flights with British Airways from/to London Gatwick to/from Malta are included.

August 16; 14 nights, via Sarande (Butrint)/Albania, Dubrovnik, Hvar, Rovinj, Venice, Ravenna, Split, Korcula, Kotor and Otranto, from £5,790 per person (Guaranteed Veranda/Ocean Suite cat. 0).

 

More info: call +49 40 3001-4580 or visit www.hl-cruises.com.

 

Have you subscribed to World of Cruising magazine yet? We have a very special, limited-time offer to save 50% off a full year's subscription, which includes six issues PLUS our new year-end Cruise Directory. That means a year's worth of Europe's leading cruise publication will be only £15. Check out the special rate on this link!

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New Year, New World of Cruising!

The brand new re-launch edition of World of Cruising magazine is due for publication next week, and it's time to reveal everything in store for Europe's leading and longest-running cruise publication.

First of all, as Time Spent At Sea readers will already know, we have new owners in the shape of Real Response Media, with ambitious plans to take the magazine to a whole new level in terms of profile, design and content. Among their initial innovations are SIX issues a year (instead of four), and a glossy year-end Cruise Directory, which will provide a comprehensive list of every cruise line and every ship, as well as providing a preview of the year ahead.

We also have a sharp new design team, who have revamped the look and style of our pages in keeping with the promise of a New Year. There are new columnists and new features, including some eye-catching destination stories that are sure to have you saying ‘I want to go THERE!’ like our Cover Story on Alaska (above).

We also feature an update on the Queen Elizabeth of Cunard and a full review of 2013's new Europa 2 of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, and take a unique river journey on the Spirit of Chartwell with Titan Tours on the River Douro in Portugal.

For adventure-cruise fans, we travel to Norway with our blogger-in-chief Steve Newman, while for a mouth-watering cruise cuisine feature we feature Windstar Cruises. 

New features include Three Of A Kind - a special look at a trio of regional ports, in this case A Coruna, Bilbao and Santander of Spain's Costa Verde - and Being There, which is a photo highlight of a current 'hot' cruise destination, in this case the Canary Islands. And, following on from there, Where Next is a view of an up-and-coming port of call, with our first one taking a look at Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.

For new columnists, we have Andy Harmer, the Director of CLIA UK & Ireland, and Silver Travel Advisor, the essential website for mature traveller advice.
 

Our features line-up is also more obviously demarcated, so readers can immediately see the difference between our Ocean, River, Adventure and Luxury cruising sections, as well as enjoying a new-look News section, which remains the market leader in cruise terms. Our essential Cruise Planner remains a part of the mix, though.

If that is the Big Picture in our wide World of Cruising, there is a huge amount of detail to follow, and we are sure you are going to want to stay with us for the full voyage. More and more people will be seeing our publication as the whole story of cruising goes widescreen and technicolour this year, with new ships, new places to see and new ways to see them.

No-one has our cruise know-how or our depth of cruise knowledge, and no-one provides the unparalleled range of stories and insight that we do. It all starts anew with Issue 61, so make sure you’re aboard! This is your Captain, setting sail…

Simon Veness

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Get With The Cooking Vibe With Europa 2

By Editor Simon Veness

 

Cooking and culinary schools at sea are all the rage, and it is hard to find a ship these days that doesn't include some kind of specialised kitchen that provides a learning or hands-on activity or three.

 

But the latest version of the idea aboard Hapag-Lloyd Cruises' new Europa 2 is a real head-turner. And, on the recommendation of our Contributing Editor Gary Buchanan (who will also be featuring the ship in our new-look January edition), I decided to have a look at this phenomenon myself. Here's what I found...

 

The Miele Culinary School (above) combines cookery courses with entertainment so interested guests not only learn about the cuisine at individual destinations, they can also learn how to conjure up some of these wonderful dishes themselves. On special “Connoisseurs of Cuisine” cruises, renowned gourmet experts such as the Michelin-starred chef de cuisine at A-ROSA resorts, Sarah Henke, or also Wolfgang Otto of the Otto Gourmet mail order company will offer workshops in the Culinary School.

In the School itself, participants learn how to prepare a multi-course menu corresponding to the cuisine of the region through which they are travelling. Themed cookery courses are also held, focusing on foods such as sushi, truffles and foie gras. Designed for groups of up to eight, the courses are held during the morning on all cruises and can be booked as an alternative to shore excursions. Participation costs 80 euros per person and includes accompanying wines, a chef’s apron and recipes. 

Those on a family cruise can also explore Culinary School fun as, on one occasion during each voyage, children are invited to gather around the oven for the popular pizza-baking session. All of the children will help to prepare their own pizza - and then sit down together to enjoy it!

For the 7-night “Connoisseurs of Cuisine” cruise with Otto Gourmet, round-trip from Dubai to Khasab, Muscat, Mina Sulman, Doha and Abu Dhabi, sailing April 20, prices start from £3,641 per person, cruise only.

 

More info: call +49 40 3001 4580 (English-speaking hotline), e-mail salesteam@hlkf.de or visit www.hl-cruises.com/contact-services.

Have you subscribed to World of Cruising magazine yet? We have a fabulous offer for all new subscribers this month ONLY - 50 per cent OFF the regular rate AND the chance to win a cruise in our free prize draw offer. See this link!

 

 

 

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Expedition Amazon With Hapag-Lloyd

Anyone looking to experience the amazing Amazion River in true expedition style should give serious consideration to Hapag-Lloyd Cruises and their adventuring duo Bremen and Hanseatic.

Their small size means the ships can travel a particularly long way upstream, giving passengers first-hand experience of the wonders of the Amazon both on board and during extensive Zodiac rides. The shallow draft of both vessels actually enables them to travel the more than 4,000km passage from the mouth of the Amazon in Belem to Peru and back.

A total of 12 robust Zodiacs await to carry the maximum 164 guests aboard the Bremen on numerous detours into the fascinating Amazonian environment while the slightly larger Hanseatic can carry 184 passengers and has 14 of these inflatable boats to take guests exploring. 

After Manaus, the Amazon narrows and flattens but both ships to continue on to Iquitos in peru. The constant proximity to the world’s largest tropical rainforest, the unusual flora and fauna and the indigenous cultures combine to make Hapag-Lloyd's Amazon cruises a true adventure.

Example cruise:

Bremen: Expedition Amazon from April 10-26, 2015 (16 nights) from Iquitos/Peru, in the Upper Amazon to Manaus; onward journey downstream from the Lower Amazon to Belem/Brazil, from £5,700 (per person, cruise only).

More info: call +49 40 3001-4580 (English-speaking hotline), email salesteam@hlkf.de or visit www.hl-cruises.com.

Have you subscribed to World of Cruising magazine yet? We have a fabulous offer for all new subscribers this year - 50 per cent OFF the regular rate AND the chance to win a cruise in the free prize draw offer. See this link!

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Hapag-Lloyd's International Expeditions For 2014/15

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has announced the arrival of its 2014-2015 expeditions brochure, offering 11 itineraries operated in English and German. 

The small and beautifully-appointed expedition ships Hanseatic and Bremen will be travelling to Siberia, the Chukchi Peninsula and Wrangel Island, Antarctica, the Chilean Fjords, Cape Verde, the Amazon, Alaska and the “small” Northwest Passage. The 184-passenger Hanseatic (above), the world’s only 5-star expedition ship, and the 4-star Bremen, carrying 164 guests, were built to provide intensive explorations in the most elegant surroundings.

Three outstanding sample itineraries are as follows:

New itinerary and destination – Expedition Siberia

During an expedition on the Hanseatic, guests will explore the region of Primorye. This unique itinerary makes stops in Pusan/Republic of Korea, various stops in Siberia/Russia, such as Rimsky Islands, Vladivostok, Petrov Island, and ends in Otaru/Japan. The Hanseatic is one of the few non-Russian ships to set out on this cruising adventure along the Siberian coast. This 15-night itinerary is from May 11-26, 2014, from Shanghai/China to Otaru/Japan, and rates start at £6,090 per person, based on double occupancy, cruise-only. 

The Pursuit of The “Small” Northwest Passage 

This 19-night itinerary on board Bremen is from August 18 to September 6, 2014, from Kangerlussuaq/Greenland to Reykjavik/Iceland and rates for this voyage through the High Arctic and the islands of Canada start at £8,010 per person, based on double occupancy, cruise-only. 

Discovering Antarctica and the Australia/New Zealand Sub Antarctic Region

This 26-night itinerary on Hanseatic is from January 25 to February 21, 2014, from Ushuaia/Argentina to Bluff/New Zealand, with stops in Macquarie Island/Australia and Auckland Island/New Zealand (includes charter flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia). Rates start at £13,360 per person, based on double occupancy, cruise-only. 

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's luxury adventure cruise specialists.

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Gourmet Offerings On New Europa 2

Guests on board Hapag-Lloyd Cruises' Europa 2 will experience top-class culinary variety when she sets sail on her maiden voyage from Hamburg to Lisbon on May 11. 

The gastronomic concept of this new luxury ship provides no less than seven different restaurants, including a sushi bar and three speciality venues. Additionally, the "Speisezimmer" can be booked for private dining. And, for guests who feel like cooking themselves and getting to know dishes from their cruise destination, they may wish to book a cooking course in the Miele Culinary School while at sea.
 

The Restaurants

 

With a total capacity of 266, the largest restaurant on board is the "Weltmeere". It stands out because of the generous amount of space while Chef de cuisine Wilke and his team serve both international and refined vegetarian menus. 

 

The "Yacht Club" is the second largest restaurant, providing specialities fresh from the grill and variety from the buffet for up to 276 people. Special feature: guests can dine “alfresco” here if they wish. The chefs can also be seen working their magic in front of the passengers as they prepare and plate the dishes. 

 

Fans of French cuisine will be at home in the "Tarragon" (44 seats) while Asian delicacies will be featured in "Elements" (48 seats) with its plethora of aromas from aniseed to lemon grass. The "Serenissima" (56 seats) then provides high quality Italian cuisine. Here, guests can enjoy Mediterranean classics and also modern interpretations of Ligurian and Neapolitan cooking. 

 

The culinary world journey is completed by the "Sakura" sushi restaurant (58 seats), which offers the celebrated miso soup and fish specialities, plus green tea ice cream for dessert. Classic wines from all over the world with accompanying dishes are available in the "Grande Reserve" wine bar and individual tastings can also be arranged here, with real vine rarities for a maximum of 12 people.

Exclusive Private Dining

 

As well as her restaurants, Europa 2 also offers the option of private dining for special occasions, with guests able to book the “Speisezimmer” exclusively at a cost of 1,170GBP for an evening, so they can relax and be indulged in a small group. 

 

The price includes an aperitif, amuse-bouche with caviar and a dinner with lobster. There is the opportunity to book before the cruise in order to ensure absolute perfection in the planning.

Cooking School

 

If guests feel like cooking themselves, they may book a cooking course in the Miele Culinary School. Here, the chef de cuisine of the Tarragon - the French style restaurant on board – will demonstrate the culinary side of the ship's various cruise destinations. 

 

The cooking courses take place in the morning and can be booked as an alternative to a shore excursion. Participation costs 80 Euros (63GBP) per person, which includes accompanying wines, cooking aprons and recipes.

Finally, guests on Europa 2 can enjoy all this pure, informal luxury as there are no fixed dining times or fixed table allocations in the restaurants within the opening times. Another plus point: the meals are included in the cruise price - there are no additional costs for any venue (except the Speisezimmer).

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's luxury cruising specialists.

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Take A Look At Europa In 2014

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has unveiled its 2014 Europa international brochure, including four exciting itineraries operating in English and German. The highest ranked cruise ship in the world, according to the 2013 Berlitz Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships, the 408-guest Europa is offering itineraries to over a dozen countries in Europe and Northern Africa in its 2014 bilingual brochure.

Hapag-Lloyd also enhances the luxury experience with its travel concierge programme, which assists guests to book individual shore arrangements in advance of their cruise. This advance booking opportunity applies to excursions during the cruise, as well as pre and post-cruise travel options, enhancing the concept of Europa's tailor-made travel experience with private programmes with or without guides, and excursions off the beaten path. There is also an international hostess on all cruises, whether bilingual or not, to ensure English-speaking passengers feel as comfortable as possible.

New for Europa's summer 2013, children 11 years of age or younger, sharing a suite with one or two full-price adult passengers, travel free of charge. Children ages 12-15 sharing a suite with two full-price passengers pay just £39 per night, which includes all meals and soft drinks for lunch and dinner.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's luxury cruising specialists.

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Best New Ship Of The Year?

The first of the year's five major new ship offerings has just been launched, amid much Italian fanfare, by MSC Cruises in Genoa.

MSC Preziosa is the 12th new vessel to join the MSC fleet and another example of the amazing range and appeal of modern ship design. Interestingly, she also makes the Italian company the third-largest in the world after Carnival and Royal Caribbean, edging Norwegian Cruise Line into fourth place (for now!).

With that in mind, we at World of Cruising thought it would be an interesting idea to run a poll of our readers, asking what they think is the most keenly anticipated new ship of the year. The five contenders are as follows:

MSC Preziosa: the latest and greatest from MSC Cruises, overseen by godmother Sophia Loren to add star power and boasting a capacity of 3,502 passengers. She includes seven restaurants and the latest enhancements of the line's exclusive MSC Yacht Club, the ship-within-a-ship area that effectively recreates a first class style of travel.

Norwegian Breakaway: a large-scale refinement of Norwegian's largest vessel, Norwegian Epic, Breakaway will be notable for her dedication to providing a sea-view aspect with many of her public areas. Due out at the end of April, she will feature The Waterfront, a quarter-mile of outward-facing dining, bars and lounges that give her 4,000 passengers a true connection with the sea (a rarity these days). While still monolithic in appearance, she should be spectacular inside.

Royal Princess: the largest ship ever ordered for the Princess brand, this should also be the most spectacular, with a whole raft of extra amenities, facilities and design features when she debuts in June. At 140,000 tons, she is 20% larger than the biggest vessels currently in the fleet, but she will add a great range of new dining and entertainment choice, including an expanded Atrium area that serves as the focal point and a unique top-deck pool arrangement featuring a water and light show.

Europa 2: going for a smaller and more exclusive style in May, Hapag-Lloyd's first new-build project in several years features a sumptuous arrange of distinctive, six-star amenities that should make this one of the most distinctive ships in the world, from a service point of view. With cutting-edge interior design and an array of six specialist restaurants that promises to be truly deluxe, Europa 2 will also be one of the most spacious ships ever built, with some of the largest staterooms and the highest Space Ratio of any ship at sea.

Le Soleal: the smallest of our Fab Five for 2013, the latest offering (launching in July and just 10,600 tons) from French line Le Compagnie du Ponant, this sleek cruiser should be a known quantity as she is the third in this novel series. Carrying barely 250 passengers, Le Soleal should be the latest word in exclusive small-ship sophistication and chic, within the company's style of Yacht Cruising that is wonderfully elegant and individual. 

So, those are the contenders for our Ship of the Year feature - now go and vote in our poll (you will find it at the top of our home page, on the right, with the heading What Is The Most Anticipated New Ship Of The Year For You?) and let us know what YOU think will be No 1.

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A Nordic Summer Dream

The Hapag-Lloyd Cruises ship Europa sets sail in June and July for the far north of Scandinavia - and a real Nordic dream of a summer cruise.

The Arctic will provide the backdrop for the fifth “Stella Maris” singing competition, in which eight talented young singers from famous opera houses will vie for glory on the ship in the Lieder, opera and oratorio categories. Along the way, musical and scenic highlights galore await guests as the ship sails from Hamburg to Iceland through the fjords of Norway and on to Spitsbergen. There will also be opportunities to take off in a manoeuvrable Zodiac to discover the region north of the Arctic Circle during the hours between the performances. 

The various concerts accompanying the “Stella Maris” competition will showcase the classical singing skills of a host of talented young artists. For the fifth time, Europa will be transformed into a festival stage, under the artistic leadership of chamber singer and tenor Michael Schade. The audience will play an active part in the musical event, choosing the winner, who can look forward to a 15,000 euro prize courtesy of Hapag-Lloyd cruises. 

A Nordic Summer Dream

After setting sail from Hamburg on June 30, the ship will head past Iceland up towards Spitsbergen and then spend three days along Norway’s “Cold Coast”. Guests will also be able to marvel at the cliffs of the Faroe Islands, the geysers of Iceland and the idyllic Lofoten Islands dotted with ancient fishing villages. And there’s more for families too: for example, the itinerary also includes a number of outings such as the communal bathing in the Blue Lagoon under the skies of Reykjavik. 

The 18-day voyage costs from £5,460 per person, cruise only, including accommodation in the category booked; full board on the ship; mini-bar in the suite; a different entertainment programme each day; port fees; travel cancellation insurance; and share of ship fuel costs. 

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's adventure cruising specialists.

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Hapag-Lloyd's Northwest Passage Adventure

This August, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises will be offering a rare Northwest Passage itinerary on the only 5-star expedition vessel in the world, the MS Hanseatic. The cruise will be guaranteed bilingual, departing Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, on August 16 for a 24-night voyage cruising north of the Arctic Circle and ending in Nome, Alaska, on September 9. It is one of the most famous sea routes in the world and has been both a myth and challenge for centuries.

The Hanseatic premiered the Northwest Passage for Hapag-Lloyd in 1994. Since then, both the line's expedition ships, Hanseatic and Bremen, have successfully cruised through the Passage 12 times. In summer 2009,  both ships met there for the first time, travelling in opposite directions.

This year's Hanseatic journey starts in Greenland and crosses Disko Bay, where guests can observe the bizarrely-shaped icebergs. The ship will then cross the Canadian Arctic, the heart of the Northwest Passage. Thanks to its shallow draught, Hanseatic is able to sail close to the coast, giving guests box seats for viewing the rugged and icy panoramas of the shores. Guests will be thrilled to encounter caribou, polar bears, musk oxen, bald eagles, and whales, while taking full advantage of the many Zodiac landings to explore the impressive glacial coasts along the route.

Other planned highlights (weather permitting): a visit to a former whaling base on Herschel Island; a landing in Cambridge Bay on Victoria Island, including a visit to the wreck of the Maud, in which Roald Amundsen conquered the Northwest Passage; zodiac landings in Peel Sound, the Franklin Strait and Larsen Sound; and a stop in Barrow, Alaska, the most northern city in the world.

The voyage-only fares lead-in at £13,210 per person, based on double occupancy for an outside cabin. 

For bookings, follow this link to the Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's luxury cruising specialists.

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Hapag-Lloyd's Big Cabin Upgrade Lure

Guests can save more than £700 with some tempting cabin upgrades on two international Europa 2 voyages in the Mediterranean next summer, with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises announcing UK details of some special offers for her inaugural season.

The Offer: all bookings for a category 1 suite will be upgraded to category 3 accommodation in either a Veranda or Ocean Suite and receive an onboard Connoisseur package of £115 per person towards beverages and Spa treatments. All category 3 suites are located on deck 7. Europa 2 will exclusively offer suites with balconies each measuring at least seven square metres facing the sea. All Veranda/Ocean Suites measure 28sq m and provide the highest standards of suite accommodation from category 1 upwards.

The Voyages:

• Departing Barcelona on June 22 for 7 nights to Monte Carlo, cruise-only fares from £3,481pp in a category 1 suite with an upgrade to category 3 (subject to availability).
• Departing Malta on July 27 for 7 nights to Barcelona, cruise-only fares from £3,791pp in a category 1 suite with an upgrade to category 3 (subject to availability).

Cruise-only fares include accommodation in the category booked; full board on the ship; mini-bar in the suite; a different entertainment programme each day; port fees; travel cancellation insurance; bankruptcy insurance; and share of ship fuel costs.

The 516-passenger Europa 2 will offer an international atmosphere on board, with all the cruises being conducted in German and English. The lecturers also speak English and in addition, English-language excursions will be offered on 10-12 selected cruises each year, including the two Mediterranean voyages listed above. As a matter of course, anyone interested can also enquire about individual excursion arrangements for all the other cruises.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's luxury cruising specialists.

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Hapag-Lloyd's Antarctica

Antarctica is classed among the most sensitive ecosystems in the world and is under special ecological protection. The Hapag-Lloyd Cruises expedition ships Hanseatic and Bremen have been using the more environmentally compatible diesel oil in the polar regions for years and long before a corresponding law entered into force in the year 2011. 

Beyond this, a code of conduct for Antarctica stipulates behavioural guidelines for visitors. These include that visitors are required to protect sensitive mosses, lichens and grasses and respect a safe distance to animals, for instance five metres in the case of penguins. These rules are communicated by experienced lecturers on board and in the context of time spent ashore.

Expedition Highlights in Antarctica:

• Zodiac tour in Paradise Bay and setting foot on the Antarctic mainland
• Landings in colonies with hundreds of thousands of penguins on South Georgia
• Bathing in the hot springs of Deception Island
• Whale watching
• Cruising through the pack ice and to huge table icebergs
• Sailing though the Lemaire and the Neumayer Channel
• Visit to a scientific station
• Landing at Cape Horn

Cruise Example: Expedition Semi Circumnavigation Antarctica with the Hanseatic from Ushuaia/Argentina to Bluff/New Zealand, 25.1.2014 – 21.2.2014, 26 days, from $20,550 per person cruise-only, including charter flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's adventure-cruise specialists. 

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Up-Close Voyages Through Madagascar

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises will be offering expedition trips through Madagascar and Southern Africa in December 2012 and December 2013 onboard the purpose-built expedition duo MS Hanseatic and MS Bremen, with maiden calls on both itineraries.

An exotic flora and fauna has developed on Madagascar that does not exist anywhere else on earth. There are more than 12,000 species of plants recorded on the fourth largest island in the world and guests will experience lemurs in pristine nature, animals in the wild, and wonderful beaches on romantic coasts.

Winter 2012: Hanseatic will make stops at six new ports along her tropic adventure, including Maroantsetra, Nosy Hara, Morondava, Nosy Ve and Toliara, as well as a first-time stop in Mozambique, at the picturesque city of Ilha dos Portugueses.

Optional shore excursions include hiking in Masoala National Park to see lemurs in the rainforest; canoeing to Lokobe Nature Reserve; zodiac landings on Nosy Lakandava and Nosy Hara for swimming between coral reefs and rock formations; a safari in Kariega Game Reserve in South Africa; and a visit to the Addo Elephant Park, also in South Africa. This 16-day itinerary is from Dec 3-19, from Port Louis/Mauritius to Cape Town/South Africa. Rates start at $7,750 per person for an outside cabin.

Winter 2013: Guests will join Bremen as she calls on the west coast of Madagascar for the first time. New ports of call in Madagascar include Nosy Hara, Mahajanga, Morondava and Nosy Be.

Optional shore excursions include hiking in Lokobe Nature Reserve to admire gigantic trees and go bird-watching; a boat ride to Nosy Komba, also know as “lemur island;” snorkelling on Nosy Lakandava and Nosy Hara; a visit to the Zulu village of Kwabhekithunga in South Africa; and a safari to view the “Big Five,” also in South Africa. This 17-day itinerary is from Dec 1-18, from Port Louis/Mauritius to Cape Town/South Africa. Rates start at $7,020 per person for an outside cabin.  

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's adventure-cruise experts.

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Hapag-Lloyd's Expedition Season

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is offering 12 expedition itineraries operated in English/German in the season 2013/2014. Their small and beautifully appointed expedition ships, MS Hanseatic and MS Bremen will be travelling to Alaska, Spitsbergen, Iceland, Greenland, the Northwest Passage, the Amazon, Chilean Fjords, Antarctica, the South Seas, New Zealand, Antarctica, Africa and Madagascar. 

The Hanseatic, a 5-star expedition ship and the Bremen, a 4-star-plus version, were created to provide intensive exploration in elegant surroundings for a maximum of 184 and 164 guests respectively. Here are the highlights.

The Earth’s Most Southern Continent – Antarctica

Antarctica Circle: This 18-day itinerary on Hanseatic is from February 13-March 3, 2013. Rates start at $12,760 per person. The 18-day itinerary on Bremen is from January 9-27, 2014, with rates from $10,890.

Secrets of the Exotic Pacific – New Zealand and The South Seas

New Zealand: This 15-day itinerary on Bremen is from March 4-19, 2013, from Bluff to Auckland, with rates from $7,240.

South Seas Spring

This 17-day itinerary on Bremen, with stops in Australia, New Caledonia and Fiji, is from March 19-April 5, 2013, from Auckland to Fiji, with rates from $8,100.

South Seas Fall

Hanseatic's 22-day cruise in 2013 makes stops in Palau, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Island, from October 15-November 6, sailing from Manila in the Philippines to Fiji, with rates from $11,390 per person.  

Three Adventures in One – Spitsbergen, Iceland, Greenland

This 18-day itinerary is from July 14-August 1, 2013, from Longyearbyen/Spitsbergen to Kangerlussuaq/Greenland, with rates from $11,740.

The World’s Most Mysterious Route – The Northwest Passage

Sailing a 24-day itinerary is this offering from August 16-September 9, 2013, from Kangerlussuaq in Greenland to Nome, Alaska. Rates for this itinerary start at $20,320 per person.

Paradise on Earth – Expedition Madagascar and Africa

This 17-day itinerary is from December 1-18, 2013, from Port Louis in Mauritius to Cape Town, South Africa, with ratyes from $7,020.

For more info on Hapag-Lloyd's adventuring cruises and bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK’s leading adventure-cruise specialists.

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Sample Pristine Alaska With Hapag-Lloyd

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises offers two unique expedition trips through Alaska in Summer 2012 and 2013 on board their adventuring duo MS Hanseatic and the MS Bremen. 

Hanseatic is the world’s only 5-star expedition ship while the 4-star Bremen was also created to provide intensive exploration in the most elegant surroundings.

Two expedition-style voyages will be operated jointly in English and German languages and feature spectacular landscapes and wild, unspoilt nature in the home of bears, whales and bald eagles. Alaska's deep fjords, snow-covered mountains, endless forests and shimmering glaciers make for spectacular landscapes and an unforgettable expedition.

Summer 2012: The 184-guest Hanseatic sets sail in July through the legendary Inside Passage of Alaska, considered one of the most beautiful waterway passages in the world. Guests can experience the following optional excursions on this trip: a glacier flight, a dogsled trip, a boat trip and hike in the rainforest, a helicopter flight over the glaciers and a ride with the historic White Pass & Yukon Route Railway. Trip Details: Sailing July 14-20, from Seward/Alaska to Vancouver/Canada, rates for this itinerary start at £4,700 per person. 

Summer 2013: The 164-guest Bremen takes a similar route in June 2013, with a shorter trip through the Inside Passage, highlighting more of the Alaskan islands along the route. Guests will be able to observe colonies of fur seals while kittiwakes and guillemots circle the seemingly endless sky over the solitary waters on this itinerary. Trip Details: Sailing June 19-July 7, from Nome/Alaska to Vancouver/Canada, with rates from £5,710 per person.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's expedition cruising specialists.

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Europa's 2013 Highlights

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is happy to announce the arrival of their 2013 Europa international brochure, including seven exciting itineraries operating in English and German. The six-star MS Europa is offering cruises to the South Seas, New Zealand, Australia, the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Peninsula, Norway, the Baltic and the Mediterranean next year, with three new ports of call on its international itineraries: Palmerston Atoll/Cook Islands, Picton/New Zealand and Algiers/Algeria.

Highlights on Europa in 2013:

South Seas Winter: The Europa will be exploring the South Pacific islands in January 2013 for hiking, swimming, and snorkelling in untouched islands, hidden away in the lagoons of the Oceania. The South Seas itinerary is from January 19-February 6, from Papeete/Tahiti to Auckland/New Zealand, with stops in Bora Bora and Raiatea in French Polynesia, Rarotonga, Aitutaki Atoll, and Palmerston Atoll in the Cook Islands, Neiafu and Nuku’alofa in the Tonga, and the Fiji Islands. Rates for this itinerary start at $7,700 per person, based on double occupancy.

New Zealand Winter: Breathtaking fjord landscapes and vast green fields offer magnificent sights to be discovered while hiking, kayaking or by a helicopter ride in the North and South Islands of New Zealand. This itinerary is from February 6-22, from Auckland to Sydney, with stops in Tauranga, White Island, Napier, Wellington, Nelson, Picton, Lyttelton, Akaroa, Port Chalmers, and Stewart Island. Rates start at $9,220 per person, based on double occupancy.

For bookings, be sure to follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's leading adventure and luxury cruise specialists.

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

If you haven't already, subscribe to the World of Cruising magazine today.