A multimedia show has been projected on to the side Hapag Lloyd Cruises’ new expedition ship at the vessel’s naming ceremony in front of hundreds of guests in Hamburg.
Hanseatic Inspiration – one of two Hapag Lloyd Cruises vessels sold in the UK market – was officially named by godmother Laura Dekker (pictured), who circumnavigated the globe aged 16.
For the ceremony, the 230-passenger ship was turned into a stage and a 12-minute multimedia show was displayed by 11 projectors onto the side of the vessel.
Guests watching the show were taken on a virtual sailing to different corners of the world.
The line’s chief executive Karl J. Pojer (pictured) said: “Today’s naming ceremony has given our guests a taste of the expedition cruises which they can experience on the Hanseatic Inspiration from now on.”
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Dekker said: “Naming the Hanseatic Inspiration against the wonderful night-time backdrop of the port of Hamburg was a very special moment for me.”
Hanseatic Inspiration is the second of three expedition vessels to have been launched by the Hamburg-based line. Each of the vessels has been financed by Tui Group, the line’s parent company.
Hanseatic Inspiration and Europa 2, which was launched in 2012, are the only two vessels operated by the German line which are sold in the UK market.
The new ship will now sail to Antwerp. The vessel, which carries 199 passengers in protected polar regions, will begin its maiden revenue voyage on October 14.
The 15-day sailing to Tenerife will call at La Coruna, Spain, Casablanca, Morocco, Lisbon and Madeira, both Portugal.