Hapag-Lloyd Cruises expands pre- and post-cruise programmes for 2027/2028 season

Germany

New curated land experiences before and after selected voyages offer guests additional ways to explore destinations beyond the cruise itself

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has introduced a new portfolio of pre- and post-cruise programmes for voyages taking place between autumn 2027 and early 2029. The Hamburg-based luxury and expedition cruise operator aims to extend the travel experience beyond the ship with carefully curated land arrangements, ranging from guided city tours and round trips to private hotel stays and individually tailored itineraries.

The programmes are designed to complement selected voyages on board the company’s small luxury ships EUROPA and EUROPA 2 as well as the expedition vessels HANSEATIC nature, HANSEATIC inspiration and HANSEATIC spirit. According to Insight Guides Cruising & Cruise Ships 2025, the fleet is considered the best in the world.

Isolde Susset, Managing Director of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, said: “We see luxury as the ultimate freedom to choose. Our pre- and post-cruise programmes enable our guests to experience destinations more intensively both before and after their cruise. These additional on-shore experiences blend seamlessly into the overall experience offered by Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.”

Three programme formats for different travel styles

The new portfolio includes three types of programmes designed to suit different travel preferences. Guided programmes allow guests to explore destinations in small groups with experienced tour guides, often including cultural highlights, nature excursions or special access beyond regular visiting hours.

Private programmes offer greater flexibility, combining hotel arrangements with transfers and allowing travellers to explore destinations at their own pace. The most personalised option consists of tailor-made itineraries organised by the company’s travel concierge team, which works with local partners worldwide to create bespoke travel experiences.

Through these options, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises aims to transform arrival and departure ports into part of the overall journey, whether through cultural experiences in major cities or nature-focused explorations in remote regions.

From island retreats to cultural capitals

The programmes include a wide range of destinations worldwide. One example is a pre-cruise stay in the Seychelles, where guests spend several days at the Four Seasons Resort Seychelles on Mahé before joining an expedition cruise to Mauritius.

Another programme combines cultural highlights in Beijing and Hong Kong, including visits to the Great Wall, the Forbidden City and historic neighbourhoods in the Chinese capital, followed by time in Hong Kong before the cruise continues to Southeast Asia.

For travellers interested in nature experiences, a post-cruise programme in Australia’s Northern Territory explores Nitmiluk National Park. Highlights include a stay at the indigenous-run Cicada Lodge, a sunrise helicopter flight with outdoor breakfast and a dinner cruise through the Katherine River gorge.

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises says demand for these extended travel experiences has grown steadily in recent years, with many guests now integrating pre- and post-cruise programmes as a regular part of their travel planning.