Hapag-Lloyd Cruises intends to draw more English speakers via a new dual-language expedition ship.
The Hamburg-based 230-passenger Hanseatic Inspiration debuts in late 2019. The newbuild will offer programming and announcements in both German and English year-round and will also feature fully bilingual crew.
The new expedition ship is billed as one of the most stylish vessels of the type ever designed. Inspiration will offer spacious staterooms and suites, multiple dining venues, a spa complex and rear-facing marina with paddleboards and kayaks.
Built specifically to operate in polar regions, Hanseatic inspiration will also feature a terraced outdoor observation deck, just above an indoor observation lounge with floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall glass windows. The vessel will sail with 16 Zodiacs for exploring.
Measuring 15,650 tons, Inspiration is one of 3 identical expedition ships which Hapag-Lloyd ordered from VARD shipyard for delivery between 2019-2021. The other two in the series, Hanseatic Spirit and Hanseatic Nature, will exclusively cater to German speakers.
Currently, Hapag-Lloyd offers occasional dual-language expeditions on its 155-passenger expedition ship Bremen that has been in the fleet for many years. However, the cruise line has never operated a dual-language ship year-round. When Inspiration debuts, ms Bremen will transition into German language-only ship.