Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has completed the first scheduled dry dock for its expedition ship HANSEATIC Spirit, which spent ten days at the Lloyd shipyard in Bremerhaven undergoing a comprehensive refurbishment aligned with the line's "inspired by nature" design concept. The 2021-built vessel emerged with refreshed public spaces, upgraded spa facilities, and new floor coverings across multiple guest areas.
Refurbishment Details and Design Philosophy
The dry dock, mandatory every five years for statutory inspections, saw extensive work in the hotel area. The spa received a new stove in the Finnish sauna and refurbished mosaic walls in the showers and steam bath. The HANSEATIC Restaurant got fresh paint and new carpeting, while the French specialty restaurant l'esprit, the Observation Lounge, and reception all received new floor coverings in a harmonized color scheme. Certain cabin and suite showers were also renewed.
Isolde Susset, Managing Director of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, praised the partnership with the Lloyd shipyard: "The renovations on board the HANSEATIC Spirit demonstrate the professional and dedicated way in which the Lloyd shipyard team works. We are delighted to present the refurbished relaxation areas to our guests."
Itinerary and Season Highlights
After leaving the floating dock last Friday with a fresh coat of paint, the ship welcomed guests at Columbuskaje pier for an eight-day cruise to Rotterdam, Scheveningen, Zeebrugge, Texel, Sylt, Helgoland, and Hamburg, arriving 13 June 2026. This Saturday, it departs on a ten-day "Wild Scotland" expedition before commencing its Arctic season, which includes unique voyages in Northwest Greenland and the Canadian Arctic. In late summer, the ship will transit Western Europe en route to South Africa.
Sample itineraries include the 18-day "Expedition Madagascar and South Africa" from Port Louis, Mauritius to Cape Town, South Africa (3–21 December 2026), priced from €10,460 per person double occupancy in SILVER fare, including travel package. The 29-day "Expedition Northwest Passage: Arctic Epic" from Seward, Alaska to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland (10 August–8 September 2027) is bookable in PLATINUM fare from €30,260 per person double occupancy, including early booking discount until 31 October 2026 and charter flight from Kangerlussuaq.
For travel professionals, this dry dock underscores Hapag-Lloyd Cruises' commitment to maintaining its expedition fleet at the highest standard. The refreshed HANSEATIC Spirit now offers a cohesive nature-inspired aesthetic across all public areas, enhancing the guest experience for wilderness-focused itineraries. The line's sister ships HANSEATIC nature (2023) and HANSEATIC inspiration (2024), as well as the EUROPA (2024), have previously undergone similar upgrades at the same yard.
As expedition cruising continues to grow in demand, particularly for Arctic and Antarctic routes, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises positions its refreshed fleet to compete with other luxury expedition operators. The HANSEATIC Spirit's upcoming Arctic season includes voyages to Iceland, Northwest Greenland, and the Canadian Arctic, offering agents and tour operators a premium product for discerning clients seeking immersive nature experiences.
For more information, visit Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.
