What are you doing for Christmas in 2027? Been thinking about the Caribbean in 2028?
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is encouraging guests to look far ahead in exchange for savings on adventurous voyages on their luxury ships. They’ve just released 28 new luxury and expedition routes across its fleet, bookable now for travel from October 2027 to early 2028.
Some examples in exploration cruises are:
HANSEATIC nature is charting warm-water expeditions between West Africa and the Indian Ocean, including Ghana and Mozambique, with snorkeling, wildlife, and expert-led excursions.
HANSEATIC inspiration and HANSEATIC spirit are sailing up to 20-day explorations of Antarctica, including South Georgia and the Weddell Sea, offering up-close wildlife encounters and expert lectures.
And the line’s two luxury ships are planning extended voyages:
MS EUROPA 2 transitions from Northern Europe to the Caribbean and the U.S., with new stops in Galveston and Tampa, plus an overnight in Miami.
MS EUROPA, is wintering in 2027 with wellness-focused cruises and classic safari stopovers in South Africa, and the Indian Ocean. The most exotic is the 17-day 2027 Christmas in the Seychelles and New Year’s Eve in the Maldives, featuring unique experiences such as safaris and cultural activities combined with festive culinary experiences.
It’s never too early to plan ahead the line advises. It’s set up a hot line for the English-speaking market and bookings come with discounts of up to 1,800 euros. Travel agents can call 877-445-7447 in the United States and Canada.
And coming sooner, Europa will sail through the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean in December 2025 and January 2026. Carrying a maximum of 400 guests, this luxury cruise includes stops in the Seychelles, Madagascar, Zanzibar, and Kenya. Guests can relax on white sand beaches framed by palm trees, enjoy world-class gourmet dining, and explore the region’s ecosystems via Zodiac excursions.
Other highlights include a premiere performance by acclaimed Canadian dancer and choreographer Johnny McMillan. There will also be the ship’s first call at Nosy Iranja, a small island off the northwest coast of Madagascar known for its postcard-perfect, white sandbar.
Europa 2 will celebrate the holidays with a voyage highlighting New York City and its iconic holiday scenes. Departing in mid-December, the trip aboard one of the world’s top-rated cruise ships offers overnight stays at both the beginning and end of the trip, giving guests extended time to explore the Big Apple at holiday time.
For clients seeking out wild landscapes and deeper immersion in nature, Hapag-Lloyd’s three expedition ships will be sailing into some of the planet’s most remote corners. The Hanseatic inspiration is spending the Advent season exploring the Chilean fjords, cruising through a labyrinth of glaciers, remote islands, and wildlife-rich coastlines.
This 15-day journey explores the wilderness of Patagonia, with expert-led hikes and Zodiac excursions through bays and national parks such as Torres del Paine. Before heading south to Antarctica, the voyage aims to provide a deep dive into one of the more awe-inspiring regions in the southern hemisphere.
As for the Hanseatic spirit, the ship starts off in the warmth of the South Pacific, calling at places like Easter Island before heading for Antarctica. Guests will celebrate Christmas among penguin colonies and towering icebergs, with landings on the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and the Antarctic Peninsula. Come January, Hapag-Lloyd says the cruise ventures further into the Weddell Sea than ever before on a new route that showcases drifting ice fields, pack ice edges, and the vast Antarctic ice shelf.
Closer to home, the Hanseatic nature departs Hamburg and sails deep into Norway and Lapland, offering a taste of the Arctic winter from November 2025 through March 2026. Think snow-covered fjords, shimmering skies, and the ethereal Northern Lights. With stops in Bergen, Tromso, Alesund, and the Lofoten Islands, clients can enjoy seasonal activities like dog sledding, hiking and even visits with Santa Claus. On board the ship, you’ll find classical Christmas concerts and Nordic-inspired hospitality, too.
