You may recognise the name Hapag-Lloyd from the shipping world. The German-owned company has long been associated with maritime travel, but it’s also reportedly the world’s oldest luxury cruise company, with a history stretching back to 1891.
Today, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises operates a fleet of five vessels split across two distinct styles of cruising. The Europa ships lean into luxury lifestyle travel, while the Hanseatic fleet focuses on expedition cruising — in exceptional comfort — to remote and lesser-visited parts of the world.
My own experience came aboard Hanseatic Inspiration on a voyage from Taipei to Beppu, tracing Japan’s lesser-known islands and regional ports — a side of the country many travellers never see.
In a nutshell: The Hanseatic fleet combines subtle luxury with a genuine expedition spirit
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Fellow Travellers
“Hapag-Lloyd is venturing into new ground,” Expedition Manager Anke tells us early in the voyage. She’s referring not only to the destinations, but also to the company’s growing focus on English-speaking markets, particularly Australia, New Zealand, the UK and North America.
As a small group of Australian and New Zealand travel professionals onboard to experience the product firsthand, we’re very much part of that next step.
For now, the vast majority of guests are German, though all departures are now bilingual, with English integrated throughout the onboard experience. Most guests have an excellent grasp of English and many are exceptionally well travelled, with decades of expedition cruising behind them. Anke tells us Hapag-Lloyd has an exceptionally high repeat guest rate, with some voyages seeing up to 80 per cent returning passengers.
The ship carries just under 200 guests on this voyage, not far off its capacity of 230, though it never feels crowded.
Announcements are delivered in both German and English, while lectures and presentations are run simultaneously in separate rooms to avoid lengthy back-to-back translations. It’s a thoughtful system and works well.
The demographic skews older — the captain later tells us the average age onboard is 68 — though the atmosphere feels active rather than sedentary. Most guests are couples, alongside several solo travellers. There is also a strong sense of inclusivity. One legally blind traveller and another guest using a mobility scooter are both well supported and able to participate in selected shore experiences.
In a nutshell: Predominantly German guests, exceptionally well travelled, with a growing international mix
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Above: Captain Jörn (far right) gives us a bridge tour
The Crew
The Filipino crew were consistently outstanding throughout the voyage — warm, intuitive and quietly efficient in a way that never feels overdone.
Cabins were serviced twice daily, the minibar replenished regularly, and little details never seemed to require asking twice. My favourite touch was the shoe cleaning service, which was fantastic after a day’s hike, you could leave your shoes out over night and they would be return ready (and spotless) for the next day’s adventure.
The atmosphere onboard is polished without ever feeling stiff and, as Anke tells us with a cheeky smile, “we also like to have a few surprises up our sleeve.” During our voyage, guests are invited to a pre-dinner “meet your neighbour” champagne gathering in the hallway outside their cabins, facilitated by the crew. “Even if you are in your bathrobe,” jokes the captain over the PA — and sure enough, some guests embrace the invitation quite literally. Another evening, an impromptu sake tasting appears in the foyer after dinner, quickly drawing a lively crowd.
Captain Jörn sets the tone. Jovial and approachable, he carries the dry humour often associated with Germans — though to Australian and New Zealand ears, it feels surprisingly familiar. During a bridge tour, he speaks candidly about the voyage and life at sea, generous with both his time and stories.
In a nutshell: The staff are professional yet approachable service with genuine warmth
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Above: Lunch on deck was always different. Here we were treated to fresh tuna
The Food
Dining onboard Hanseatic Inspiration is flexible and refreshingly relaxed for a luxury expedition ship.
The Lido restaurant became my favourite spot for breakfast and lunch. The buffet changes daily and includes freshly prepared dishes, salads, grilled meats and made-to-order options, while the outdoor terrace offers casual al fresco dining with sea breezes and passing scenery. On warmer days, the grill serves a rotating barbecue menu outside.
The main restaurant is more refined, serving à la carte dinners with modern international cuisine and a noticeable European influence. Menus change daily, though there is also a standing favourites menu with familiar options like steak or schnitzel for those wanting something classic.
Each Hanseatic ship also has its own specialty restaurant. On Hanseatic Inspiration, that takes the form of a Peruvian-Japanese fusion concept. It feels more like a high-end city restaurant than somewhere floating at sea. One standout evening involved fresh ceviche prepared tableside — simple, interactive and memorable without trying too hard.
Outside meal times, the Observation Lounge becomes a natural gathering place. Alongside panoramic views over the bow, there’s a steady spread of pastries, fruit and light snacks, plus tea and coffee facilities throughout the day. The adjoining bar handles everything from proper espresso coffee to evening cocktails.
In a nutshell: Flexible dining with a balance of casual comfort and refined cuisine
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Above: There pool was often at the centre of onboard life
Life Onboard
Life onboard settles into an easy rhythm surprisingly quickly.
Much of the social atmosphere centres around the top deck, where a heated pool and hot tub overlook the sea. Guests drift between loungers, books and drinks while others make use of the gym, sauna, steam room or spa facilities tucked further aft.
At the very back of the ship sits one of the more unexpected spaces — the small research area. Here, guests can chat with onboard experts, examine samples under microscopes and engage more deeply with the scientific side of expedition travel.
Sea days are as active or relaxed as you want them to be. Some guests begin with fitness classes or personal training sessions, while others simply settle in by the pool with a book and watch the coastline slide past.
Japan, however, brings a slightly different expedition format. Rather than Zodiac landings and remote wilderness operations, the focus here is cultural exploration and regional discovery. One day might involve a guided excursion through forested landscapes or historic towns, while the next could simply be spent wandering independently through a quiet fishing port rarely visited by international travellers.
Evenings usually begin with a recap and precap presentation before dinner — an opportunity to reflect on the day, hear from the expedition team and preview what’s ahead.
In a nutshell: Our voyage is a comfortable balance between exploration, enrichment and relaxation
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Final Thoughts
Hapag-Lloyd occupies an interesting space in the expedition market.
There’s luxury here, certainly, but it’s understated. The focus isn’t on flashy entertainment or over-the-top indulgence. Instead, the experience feels thoughtful, comfortable and destination-driven, with an emphasis on access, service and intelligent travel.
For travellers seeking expedition-style itineraries without sacrificing comfort — particularly those interested in lesser-visited regions and smaller ports — the Hanseatic fleet offers something genuinely distinctive.
And with Hapag-Lloyd now turning its attention toward English-speaking markets, it’s likely we’ll be hearing much more about them in the years ahead.
Above: Zodiac coming in from port
