Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has opened a new group of 2027 to 2028 itineraries that range from a single voyage through all five Great Lakes and the Saint Lawrence River to extended journeys in the Philippines, Costa Rica, the Indian Ocean and along the American West Coast. The July 7 release covers both of the line’s luxury ships and all three of its expedition vessels.
The most unusual North American option places the five Great Lakes and the Saint Lawrence on one 21 day itinerary aboard HANSEATIC inspiration. Other newly highlighted products include a 29 day EUROPA voyage from Valparaiso to San Francisco, EUROPA 2 routes in the South Pacific and Costa Rica, and HANSEATIC nature’s first winter season in the Indian Ocean.
- New inventory: Premiere routes for the 2027 to 2028 season across Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ five ship fleet.
- Great Lakes: HANSEATIC inspiration links all five lakes with the St. Lawrence in one voyage.
- Luxury routes: EUROPA and EUROPA 2 add the American West Coast, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Palau and Costa Rica.
- Expedition routes: HANSEATIC nature adds its first Indian Ocean winter while the expedition fleet expands Antarctica and Western Australia choices.
- Current decision: Several sample fares carry early booking deadlines from October 2026 through May 2027.
What the July route release adds
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ official route announcement organizes the new inventory around first calls, uncommon combinations and longer regional focus. The line says its five small ships collectively visit more than 500 ports each year, and the newly promoted itineraries use that size to reach places that larger vessels cannot enter.
The announcement is not a single ship deployment or one isolated port call. It is a booking level release with named ships, travel dates, sample prices and direct itinerary pages, which gives travelers enough information to compare route structure now rather than wait for a general future season preview.
CruiseMapper also reported the expanded program after the operator release, confirming the Great Lakes combination, Indian Ocean season and other new regional routes. The operator remains the load bearing source for dates, prices and availability because those details can change after publication.
All five Great Lakes become one cruise
HANSEATIC inspiration is scheduled to connect all five Great Lakes with the Saint Lawrence River, a combination Hapag-Lloyd Cruises says no other operator offers as one cruise. The ship’s retractable bridge wings allow it to pass through the waterway’s lock system while linking cities including Toronto, Montreal and Quebec with smaller coastal communities and islands.
The official sample is a 21 day voyage from Halifax to Milwaukee from September 10 to October 1, 2027. The published Platinum fare starts at 15,490 euros per person in double occupancy with an early booking discount valid through October 31, 2026, while travel to and from the embarkation and arrival points is excluded.
That open jaw geography is central to the decision. Travelers need to price an arrival into Halifax and a return from Milwaukee, confirm whether the operator’s separate travel package improves the connection, and compare the full journey rather than treating the displayed cruise fare as the entire trip cost.
The Great Lakes route is the clearest United States market element in the release, but it is not a domestic only voyage. It crosses Canadian and United States waters and combines major cities with smaller ports, so passport, entry and air planning belong in the comparison from the beginning.
EUROPA links South America with San Francisco
EUROPA’s new American West Coast route runs for 29 days from Valparaiso to San Francisco between February 17 and March 18, 2027. The operator describes it as the ship’s first itinerary to combine South, Central and North America in this sequence, crossing eight countries before the passage under the Golden Gate Bridge.
The published Silver fare starts at 12,792 euros per person in double occupancy and excludes the travel package to and from the endpoints. For a trip of this length, cabin choice, air routing, travel protection and the cost of extra hotel nights can materially change the total.
Travelers comparing accommodation should review the line’s exact categories and then use Deep Arrival’s cruise cabin types comparison to frame the broader tradeoffs among location, space, outdoor access and price. A 29 day voyage magnifies a cabin decision that might feel less important on a shorter sailing.
The Philippines and Costa Rica get deeper focus
EUROPA will offer two coordinated Philippines cruises in 2028, totaling 13 calls at ten ports. The program ranges from Manila to smaller islands and bays, with a first call at Mantigue Island and the option to combine the two sailings for a longer exploration of the archipelago.
One official sample runs from Ho Chi Minh City to Hong Kong from February 14 to March 1, 2028. The 16 day cruise starts at 8,220 euros per person in double occupancy under the published Platinum fare, including an early booking discount valid through February 28, 2027 and excluding the separate travel package.
EUROPA 2 adds a South Pacific route through Papua New Guinea and Palau, while another new voyage circles Costa Rica’s Pacific coast in early 2028. The Costa Rica program includes first calls at Isla Tortuga and Puerto Jimenez, with the operator emphasizing rainforests, national parks, mangroves, beaches and wildlife focused excursions.
The sample Costa Rica itinerary is a 13 day round trip from Panama City from January 7 to January 20, 2028. The published Platinum fare starts at 9,770 euros per person in double occupancy, with the same February 28, 2027 early booking deadline and no included travel package to the gateway.
HANSEATIC nature moves into the Indian Ocean
HANSEATIC nature will spend its first winter season outside the polar regions, sailing among Madagascar, the Seychelles and Mauritius. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises presents the shift as an expedition product built around shallow draft access, limited visitor sites, Zodiac trips, guided walks and snorkeling in small groups.
The sample 12 day voyage runs from Mauritius to Mahe in the Seychelles from January 3 to January 15, 2028. Its Platinum fare starts at 7,970 euros per person in double occupancy, including an early booking discount through February 28, 2027 but excluding travel to and from the itinerary.
The expedition fleet is also adding three compact 14 day South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula options for early 2028. HANSEATIC spirit will introduce a May 2028 route in Western Australia’s Kimberley region, with Zodiac access, ancient rock art, gorges, waterfalls and wildlife forming the core product.
How the new route families compare
| Route family | Ship | Best fit | Planning issue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Lakes and St. Lawrence | HANSEATIC inspiration | Travelers seeking one connected North American inland waterway voyage | Halifax arrival and Milwaukee departure |
| Valparaiso to San Francisco | EUROPA | Travelers prioritizing a long multi country Pacific journey | 29 day duration and open jaw air |
| Philippines | EUROPA | Travelers wanting smaller ports and a two cruise combination | Whether to book one segment or both |
| Costa Rica and South Pacific | EUROPA 2 | Luxury travelers prioritizing nature and smaller destination access | Long haul gateway costs |
| Indian Ocean expedition | HANSEATIC nature | Travelers comfortable with Zodiac based small group exploration | Activity demands and remote air connections |
The strongest choice depends less on which region is most famous and more on the desired ship style. EUROPA and EUROPA 2 are luxury ships centered on cultural, culinary and destination access, while the HANSEATIC vessels are expedition ships with a maximum of 230 guests and more emphasis on flexible landings and active exploration.
Before placing a deposit, travelers should open the exact itinerary page, preserve the dated fare terms and compare what is excluded. The release repeatedly states that travel packages to and from the cruise are separate, which can be significant for open jaw journeys and remote embarkation points.
Which Hapag-Lloyd ship will sail all five Great Lakes?
HANSEATIC inspiration is scheduled to combine all five Great Lakes with the St. Lawrence River on one cruise.
When is the Great Lakes itinerary?
The official sample runs for 21 days from Halifax to Milwaukee from September 10 to October 1, 2027.
Which ship adds the first Indian Ocean winter season?
HANSEATIC nature will spend its first winter season in Madagascar, the Seychelles and Mauritius during the 2027 to 2028 program.
Are flights included in the sample fares?
The official release says its sample prices exclude the travel package to and from the departure and arrival points.
