Hapag-Lloyd returns to the Great Lakes with its second newbuild

A retractable bridge wing makes it possible for the ship to pass through the region's narrow locks.

The company's second expedition newbuild will operate a wide variety of short and long cruises that cater to an international market, with all voyages in English and German. (The first newbuild, Hanseatic nature, is dedicated to German-speakers.)

Pre-bookings are available now, with a full catalog to be available when bookings open in January 2018.

Hanseatic inspiration's 14-night maiden voyage, on Oct. 14, 2019, will sail from Antwerp, Belgium, to Tenerife, Canary Islands, via France (Honfleur), the Channel Islands (Guernsey), Spain (including La Coruña, Islas Cies), Portugal (overnight in Lisbon, Portimao), Morocco (Casablanca) and Portugal (Madeira's Porto Santo Island and overnight in Funchal).

A 16-night Amazon expedition in March 2020, from Belém to Iquitos, will sail on the Lower and Upper Amazon with numerous expedition activities and Zodiac landings.

In June 2020, Hanseatic inspiration will ply the Great Lakes, with a 13-night cruise on the Detroit River, Lake Huron (including Tobermory, Parry Sound and Mackinac Island), Sault Ste. Marie, Lake Superior (including Thunder Bay) and Lake Michigan.

Hanseatic inspiration and Hanseatic nature will have a new look with an exterior finish featuring a partly blue hull.

Just out, a route preview provides a first look inside the 230-passenger ships, each with 120 cabins and suites ranging from 22 square meters/236 square feet for a Panorama Cabin to 71 square meters/764 square feet for a Grand Suite. All cabins are ocean-view and most have balconies or a French balcony.

Both ships will be built to Polar Class 6, the highest ice-class ranking for passenger vessels. In addition to Arctic cruises in the European summer and expeditions to the Antarctic in the European winter, Hanseatic nature and Hanseatic inspiration will sail to the Amazon, the Chilean Fjords, the Azores and Cape Verde. Cruises range from four-day jaunts to the Frisian Islands to 20-day Antarctic expeditions.