Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Unveils 2028 Voyages Across All Seven Continents - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

From cherry blossoms in Japan to the icy wonderlands of Antarctica, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has released a first look at its 2028 cruise programme, featuring 127 itineraries across seven continents. The collection showcases the “best fleet in the world”*, combining classic routes with new destinations and experiences of indulgence, adventure, and discovery.

Cruise enthusiasts can now pre-register non-binding reservations for their preferred voyages via www.hl-cruises.com/preview, through the customer service centre, or at selected travel agencies. Detailed itineraries, including pricing, will be available from December 2025, when bookings officially open.

Luxury Voyages: EUROPA and EUROPA 2

In 2028, the luxury ships EUROPA and EUROPA 2 will offer carefully coordinated itineraries that avoid overlap while ensuring maximum variety.

From January to April 2028, EUROPA will focus on Asia and the Indian Ocean, visiting destinations such as the Philippines, Japan, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, and Cape Town, before returning to Europe via the Canary Islands. During the summer, the ship will explore the Mediterranean, offering short five- to 13-day cruises to the Côte d’Azur, the Italian coastline, and island-hopping adventures between Corsica, Sardinia, and the Balearic Islands. In autumn, EUROPA will sail from Germany to Greenland, Canada, and the U.S. East Coast, culminating in festive Caribbean journeys featuring Colombia, Costa Rica, and Panama. Guests can combine routes for extended journeys lasting up to 108 days.

The EUROPA 2 begins 2028 in Central America, sailing to Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia, followed by Caribbean and U.S. Gulf Coast itineraries including New Orleans and Galveston. After crossing the Atlantic, the ship will spend summer exploring Western Europe, the Baltic Sea, and Norway, including rare calls to Svalbard and the North Cape. Later in the year, EUROPA 2 will journey through the Mediterranean and Middle East, concluding with festive voyages through the Arabian Gulf and onward to Southeast Asia, featuring the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Malaysia.

Expedition Fleet Premieres: Aldabra to Antarctica

For the first time, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ expedition fleet – the HANSEATIC nature, HANSEATIC inspiration, and HANSEATIC spirit – will expand its route portfolio with new destinations and seasonal innovations.

While HANSEATIC inspiration and HANSEATIC spirit continue their Antarctic expeditions, HANSEATIC nature will spend the winter in warmer waters, exploring Madagascar, the Seychelles, and remote atolls such as Aldabra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site visited only by small expedition vessels. Up to 230 guests will enjoy Zodiac excursions, guided hikes, and snorkelling adventures, accompanied by expert lecturers and naturalists.

In the winter of 2028/2029, HANSEATIC nature will return to Northern Europe, offering shorter Arctic and Northern Lights expeditions that can be combined into longer journeys. Each expedition ship features three restaurants, an expansive OCEAN SPA (235 m²) with ocean-view sauna and pool, and a fitness centre with dedicated wellness programmes.

New Horizons for the Expedition Class

The structurally identical HANSEATIC inspiration and HANSEATIC spirit will operate classic and new Antarctic routes through February 2028, including two shorter 14-day cruises to South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula. The popular semi-circumnavigation from Tierra del Fuego to New Zealand also returns.

In spring and summer 2028, both ships will explore new, off-the-beaten-track destinations. HANSEATIC spirit will sail three itineraries through Indonesia, including Raja Ampat and the Kimberley region of Western Australia, offering Zodiac excursions to Montgomery Reef and King George River. Meanwhile, HANSEATIC inspiration will operate two Amazon River expeditions before heading to the Great Lakes – where Hapag-Lloyd Cruises remains the only cruise line to connect all five lakes in one voyage.

In 2028, HANSEATIC inspiration continues to redefine expedition cruising, adding new premiere calls such as Cleveland and Alpena, as well as rarely visited Lake Superior exploration days and extended routes to Labrador, Newfoundland, and Greenland.

A Tradition of Excellence

With over 130 years of navigational expertise, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises continues to set global standards in luxury and expedition travel – uniting innovation, cultural depth, and seamless service across every ocean and every journey.

*“Best fleet in the world” according to the Berlitz Cruising & Cruise Ships Guide.

Image Credit: © Hapag-Lloyd Cruises