MS Hanseatic: Successful Makeover At The Shipyard

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises vessel, MS HANSEATIC left the Bredo shipyard in Bremerhaven/ Germany after a two-week stay. Thoroughly overhauled and smartened up in many areas, the world’s only five-star expedition ship (according to the Berlitz Cruise Guide 2010) shines in new splendour. Besides plenty of technical work, the primary focus was on refurbishing the suites.

The staff at the shipyard worked several shifts in order to complete all the items on the comprehensive “to do“ list in time. The most elaborate tasks included replacing the cabin windows as well as removing and rebuilding the bathrooms in the suites. Separate bath tubs and showers were installed and sophisticated materials such as marble for the walls and granite for the floors were used. Two suites have been completely redesigned. Another modification, clearly visible for the passengers, is the transformation of the hairdressing salon into a modern styling and cosmetics studio. A new lighting and sound system adds to the evening atmosphere on deck.

The new “art on board“ concept creates a modern ambiance; the premium-quality black and white photographs portray extraordinary nature and animal scenes, emphasising the spirit of expedition.

The new ITV system offers direct access to the Internet from all cabins whilst the additional installation of Wireless LAN makes it possible to use the Internet in many public spaces on board.

The HANSEATIC combines the adventure of global expedition and study cruises with first-class comfort. The highest ice class gives the maximum of 184 passengers the opportunity to travel to remote destinations in polar waters or in the South Seas. Its shallow draft means it can also sail on rivers like the Amazon. Trips with the ship’s own Zodiac inflatables, talks and recaps about the destinations by lecturers are among the highlights of the programme. Those top-flight experts accompany the cruises to deliver
spellbinding background information.

The HANSEATIC cruise program 2010 offers the following enticing itineraries, all of them operated bilingual in English and German.

Destination Antarctica:
Trip logistics: from Ushuaia to Puerto Montt, 13 February to 5 March 2010, 21 days, with stops in/ at the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, South Orkney Islands, South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula; cruise only rates starting at £7553 per person. Exclusive special: passengers booking a category one guarantee cabin will get an automatic upgrade to a category three cabin. This saves £2107 per person. Additionally, passengers will receive a Euro 300 – on board credit for beverages and laundry.

Destination: the legendary Northwest Passage
Trip logistics: from Kangerlussuaq to Nome, 16 August to 10 September 2010, 25 days, with stops in Greenland, Cruising in Disko Bay, Baffin Island, Devon Island, Barrow Strait, Northwest Passage and Alaska; cruise only rates starting at £11,536 per person including charter flight Hanover – Kangerlussuaq

Destinatian Kamchatka
Trip logistics: From Nome to Yokohama, 9-30 September 2010, 20 days, with stops in Alaska, Chukchi Peninsula, Chukotka, Kamtchatka, Kuril Islands, Sakhalin, Japan; cruise only rates starting at £6725 per person

All of the dedicated bilingual cruises included in the enclosed brochure, ensure English-speaking passengers feel comfortable from the moment they step onboard. Documentation in English onboard includes: daily programs, menus, announcements, lectures/video presentations and safety drill instructions. Shore excursions are offered in English on a group or individual basis whenever possible in the port of call. Lastly, the entire crew is fluent in English.

For more information on these and other of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ exciting destinations and itineraries, visit www.hl-cruises.com