Tui inks deal for third new Hapag-Lloyd Cruises expedition ship

Tui Group has signed a contract for a third new expedition ship for subsidiary Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.

The 230-passenger Hanseatic Spirit is due to enter service in time for summer 2021 as the line’s first adults-only vessel.

The cost of the ship has not been disclosed but it will follow the introduction of Hanseatic Nature in spring 2019 and Hanseatic Inspiration in autumn next year.

The trio of identical expedition ships will be built in the Norwegian Vard shipyard, a subsidiary of the Italian shipbuilding company Fincantieri.

The new ships will be fitted with cutting-edge equipment and environmental technology.

They will also have the highest ice class for passenger ships, meaning that they will be able to operate in the polar regions of the Arctic and Antarctic as well as in warmer destinations such as the Amazon region.

On-board Zodiacs will make it possible to land in expedition areas that do not have ports, and there will be a marina for water sports.

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises chief executive Karl Pojer said: “Our expedition segment is already a success and offers potential for growth in the five-star segment that we want to harness with these three new ships.

“With the new ships, we are launching a new expedition class and strengthening our leading position in this segment.

“By investing in the new Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ ships, the Tui Group is underlining its strategy for this cruise segment and the importance of our luxury brand to the group portfolio.”