In anticipation of your cruise experience

From booking to payment: here you can read questions and answers on a wide range of topics related to planning your cruise.

Booking

General information:
Any reservation you create is non-binding. When you create a reservation, you will receive a booking form (by email, or by post upon request). To make a firm booking, please complete and sign the form and return it to us (by fax, email or post) at:

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises,
a TUI Cruises GmbH company
Heidenkampsweg 58 
20097 Hamburg 
Germany 
Phone +49 40 307030 - 70
Fax     +49 40 307031 - 70
Email  salesteam(at)hl-cruises.com

Please be aware that the reservation is valid only until the expiry of the reservation period and after this time will be made available again for others to purchase.

Reservation periods: for cruises departing within the next three months, the reservation period is three days; for longer-term departures, the reservation period is seven days, in each case commencing from the first day on which the reservation is created. The periods may vary for special offers.

  1. Telephone reservation
    We will be pleased to take your reservation by phone on +49 40 307030 - 70
  2. Online reservation
    You can check current availability and create a reservation under the following link:
    https://www.hl-cruises.com/cruisefinder
  3. Reservation through your travel agency
    Your personal contact at your travel agency will assist you when booking your dream cruise.

In this case, it is possible to create a waiting list. Please take into account the following distinction:

Non-binding waiting list: We accept this type of waiting list by phone or in writing. If the requested waiting list is confirmed, we will prepare an offer for you. You can make a firm booking on the basis of this offer within the reservation period or cancel it free of charge.

Binding waiting list:This type of waiting list is the equivalent of a booking form and you must send it to us in writing and signed by fax, email or through the post at:

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises,
a TUI Cruises GmbH company
Heidenkampsweg 58 
20097 Hamburg 
Germany 
Phone +49 40 307030 - 70
Fax     +49 40 307031 - 70
Email  salesteam(at)hl-cruises.com

We will also be happy to accept a non-binding waiting list in advance by phone, and will then change it to the status of a binding waiting list upon receipt of your signature.

A binding waiting list has higher priority and takes precedence over non-binding waiting lists. If we are able to confirm your request, we will not prepare an offer with a reservation period. Instead, your firm booking will be made immediately and the confirmation and invoice sent to you.

For guaranteed cabins or suites, we accept only binding waiting lists.

If you are already planning cruises that are not yet in the current catalogue, it is possible to create a pre-booking. You can send your requests to us in writing (for example, same cruise as XY in the year, cabin and flight requests).

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises,
a TUI Cruises GmbH company
Heidenkampsweg 58 
20097 Hamburg 
Germany 
Phone +49 40 307030 - 70
Fax      +49 40 307031 - 70
Email  salesteam(at)hl-cruises.com

We will refer to this when the preview folder or main catalogue appears in order to prepare a non-binding offer based on availability.

Pre-Booking

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Cruise prices

The three fares PLATINUM, GOLD and SILVER differ in terms of the services included and their availability (Status 1 March 2024): 

Our fare structure

The new fare structure will apply to all new bookings from 1 March 2024 onwards.

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A distinction is made in our published prices between cruise only and cruise including arrival and departure package.

Please note that for selected expedition cruises (for example, the Antarctic) the cruise price (cruise only – from/to the pier) may additionally include charter flights.

You will find details about charter flights and individual services included in the arrival and departure packages in the itinerary for the cruise concerned.

The cruise price (cruise only) for our expedition ships HANSEATIC nature, HANSEATIC inspiration and HANSEATIC spirit includes the following:

  • Expedition in the booked category
  • International gourmet cuisine – full board (early-bird breakfast, breakfast, bouillon, afternoon coffee/tea time, lunch and dinner (three restaurants to choose from in the evening with flexible opening hours)
  • All landings and rides in the ship’s own Zodiacs
  • Experienced experts from various disciplines accompany every cruise, give presentations and multimedia lectures, provide well-informed answers to questions about the cruising area and take part in the Zodiac landings/rides
  • Use of the interactive Ocean Academy with individual knowledge formats
  • Extensive sports programme: fitness area with ocean view, course programme, additional sports activities on shore depending on the destination (booking a personal training is subject to a surcharge)
  • Equipment for loan: one pair of binoculars and two sets of Nordic Walking poles in the cabin itself, furthermore warm parkas, rubber boots, snorkelling equipment
  • German- and English-speaking ship and expedition management as well as German- and English- speaking service crew
  • OCEAN SPA with Finnish sauna with an ocean view, steam sauna, indoor and outdoor relaxation area (spa treatments and hairdresser at a surcharge)
  • In every cabin: welcome champagne, mini bar restocked daily with a selection of softdrinks (additional selection of spirits in the Junior and Grand Suites), coffee machine (tea on request), 24-hour cabin service
  • Flat-screen television with information and entertainment programme
  • Personal email account (including your own email address on board), Internet free of charge for one hour per guest and day; service depends on satellite positioning, especially in polar regions)
  • Comprehensive pre-cruise information – for example handbooks about the Arctic, the Antarctic, the Amazon and the South Seas, as well as expedition maps
  • Information about harbours and destinations (where available) in the cabin
  • Harbour and airport fees
  • Cancellation fee insurance (20% excess) in the fares PLATINUM and GOLD

The cruise price (cruise only) for our luxury ships MS EUROPA und MS EUROPA 2 includes the following:

  • Cruise in the booked category
  • International gourmet cuisine – full board: breakfast, late breakfast, lunch and dinner, afternoon tea and coffee with a baked treat, and midnight snack
  • 24 hour suite service
  • Champagne in your suite on the day you arrive
  • A mini bar in the suite with soft drinks and beer which is refilled on a daily basis
  • A different entertainment programme every day with presentations, concerts, seminars and a high-quality evening programme which includes live shows and readings
  • On-board facilities and equipment, including library, sauna, fitness area, golf simulator, snorkelling equipment and bicycles (subject to official approval)
  • Personal email account (including your own email address on board), Internet free of charge for one hour per guest and day
  • Flat-screen television in every suite also with a wide range of entertainment and news channels
  • Zodiac rides (depending on routes and weather conditions), and landings or rides in the ship’s own zodiacs or tenders
  • Comprehensive cruise material with country information, a document pouch and luggage tags 
  • German ship and cruise manager and a German-speaking service crew with a travel concierge, guest relations manager, cruise sales service, tour office, tour guides, etc.; on board EUROPA 2 English and German-speaking service
  • Harbour and airport fees
  • Cancellation fee insurance (20% excess) in the fares PLATINUM and GOLD

The tables below will give you an overview of our pricing model for children:

Children's pricesCruise and Expedition ships
Daily rate (cruise only)Arrival and departure packages
0-1 year€ 0-90%
2-11 years€ 0 -25%
12-15 years€ 90-
€ 95 (from cruise NAT2421, INS2421, SPI2415, EUR2423, EUX2422)
€ 105 (from cruise NAT2518, INS2515, SPI2519, EUR2520, EUX2522)
€ 180 for cruises to the Arctic/Antarctic / € 190 from October 2025

Voyages for young explorers (12-17 years): € 250 per night/ € 270 from October 2025

Prices for accompanying adults are calculated according to our published prices or for "single travellers" (single with child) (with the exception of a family apartment on MS EUROPA 2).

For prices for single travellers, please refer to the relevant price section in the main catalogue or the price table for your desired cruise on our website. You are also welcome to search for specials specifically for single travellers.

You will find an up-to-date overview under the following link: http://www.hl-cruises.com/offers

All gratuities on board are included in the price of the cruise. Acknowledgement of particularly good service is at the discretion of each guest.

Payments

The following methods of payment are possible:

  • By bank transfer - on request, we will provide you with transfer forms together with your invoice.
  • By credit card - we will be happy to send you the necessary document for credit card payment by email, fax or post.

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises does not accept payment by direct debit.

If the contract is concluded – that is, if the Passenger receives the written booking confirmation – the following deposit (in relation to the total cruise price) is payable:

PLATINUM GOLD SILVER
For bookings made up to the 365th day before start of the cruise 20% 20% 40%
For bookings made between the 364th and 181st day before start of the cruise 25% 25% 45%
For bookings made within 180 days before start of the cruise 30% 30% 50%
For bookings made within 30 days before start of the cruise total amount payable immediately

The total amount will be payable immediately for cruises booked within 30 days of the departure date. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises shall send out the travel documents after receiving the balance of the fare and the full particulars of the passport documents (passenger manifest details) of all participating passengers to whom the booking relates, provided, however, that no travel documents shall be sent out earlier than 30 days prior to the scheduled cruise start date. 

Insurance

Our cruise prices include a cancellation cost insurance policy from ERGO Reiseversicherung AG (applies to the PLATINUM and GOLD fares). The insurance cannot be deducted from the cruise price and is an integral part of the booking. The excess is 20 % of the refundable loss, but no less than € 25 per person.

Information about insurance policies may be found in the following document.

Cancellation cost insurance

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We offer you two multi-cover packages* underwritten by ERGO Reiseversicherung AG:

Multi cover package Multi cover package with cruise protection
  • Travel curtailment insurance
  • Travel health insurance  
  • Telephone Cancellation Advisory Service
  • Luggage insurance
All benefits of the travel curtailment insurance, additionally:
  • cruise protection (seasickness cover, delayed arrival cover and land excursion cover)

These services are only available as a package and may be booked at any time prior to departure. Information about prices and booking conditions may be obtained by phone on +49 40 307030 - 70.

*Applies to the PLATINUM tariff and GOLD tariff for passengers residing within the European Economic Area.

Overview of travel insurances

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Should you become ill prior to your cruise and are not sure whether you should cancel your trip, please contact the Telephone Cancellation Advisory Service at ERGO Reiseversicherung AG. An independent travel doctor will advise you as to whether you should cancel or wait for the cruise to start, when, if all is well, you might be fit to travel after all.

Hotline: +49 89 4166 -11839
(Mon. – Fri. 8:00 am – 7:00 pm, Sat. 9:00 am – 1:00 pm)
Web: www.reiseversicherung.de/en/

The Telephone Cancellation Advisory Service is automatically included in each cancellation cost insurance policy from ERGO Reiseversicherung AG.

Travel documents

About three before departure, you will receive your preliminary travel information.

You will receive your final travel documents from roughly four weeks prior to departure onwards, after we receive your final payment.

Preliminary travel information includes the following:

- important travel information such as

  • Immigration and visa requirements (designed for passengers of German, Austrian and Swiss nationality)
  • Vaccination and health requirements  
  • Addresses and telephone numbers of local agencies

- additional enclosures (depending on the ship, route and cruise theme) 

  • Shore excursion brochure with booking form 
  • Personal details report - for final check of customer details 
  • Where applicable, reference for visa application 

Final travel documents include the following information: 

  • Itinerary and important information about the booked travel arrangements to the cruise departure point and from the cruise arrival point 
  • Flight and luggage information 
  • Itinerary for individually booked services 
  • Luggage tags 
  • Flight confirmation  
  • Ship ID cards

Shore excursions

As soon as the shore excursions are published, bookings in the PLATINUM and GOLD fares will be informed. Bookings on the SILVER fare will receive this information 14 days after publication.

You can view and book your shore excursions quickly and easily via our online booking portal: login.hl-cruises.com

You are welcome to register or log in and book or change your shore excursions. If excursions are no longer bookable, you will receive feedback with an alternative offer or the possibility of a waiting list listing.

Excursions can also be booked on board subject to availability.

All excursion fees will be charged to your on-board account.

Please refer to the information in your shore excursion brochure: 

  • Shore excursions that are not marked with * can be cancelled free of charge up to 48 hours before the excursion begins.
  • Shore excursions that are marked with * have individual conditions of cancellation. Please contact your travel agency for details or contact Hapag-Lloyd Cruises on +49 40 307030 - 70.

In general, it is possible for children to participate in all of our published shore excursions. Please refer to our information relating to age restrictions and our general recommendations in your shore excursion brochure.

Discounts for children on all regular excursions:
Children up to and including the age of three years are free of charge. Children from four up to and including the age of 11 years receive 50 % reduction on the excursion price (except for flight excursions and overland tours). Children aged 12 years and older pay the full excursion price.

Family cruises on MS EUROPA and MS EUROPA 2:
On published family cruises, in addition to the regular shore excursions in our shore excursion brochure, you will also find accompanied children's and teens' excursions. Children's excursions accompanied by a nanny (for children from four up to and including the age of ten years) and accompanied teens' excursions (from 11 up to and including the age of 15 years) are subject to a charge and take place without the company of parents or grandparents.

The special family excursions are likewise subject to a charge and take place in the company of parents and grandparents or another accompanying adult.

Some prices are worked out on a graduated scale and are listed separately for each family, teens' or children's excursion.

Travel without barriers

MS EUROPA 2:
This ship offers two Penthouse Suites designed to meet the needs of disabled guests (Category 13, Deck 8, Suites 811 and 813, each with a living area of 43 m²/452 ft², veranda 10 m²/108 ft²).

MS EUROPA:
This ship offers two suites designed to meet the needs of disabled guests (Category 5, Deck 7, Sport Deck, Suites 733 and 734, each with a living area of 27 m²/291 ft², veranda 9 m²/97 ft²).

HANSEATIC nature, HANSEATIC inspiration & HANSEATIC spirit:
Every ship has one cabin with fully accessible layout and equipment (cabin 404, size approximately 36 m² (387 ft²)).

Please refer to the forms "Information and requirements for disabled passengers".

MS EUROPA 2

MS EUROPA

HANSEATIC inspiration

Please refer beforehand to our information relating to disabled guests (see previous item).

To ensure the smooth processing of your booking, please submit the forms "Bringing your own wheelchair" and "Information and requirements for disabled passengers" (see previous item) together with your booking form.

You can send the forms to us by email, fax or through the post at:

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises,
a TUI Cruises GmbH company
Heidenkampsweg 58 
20097 Hamburg 
Germany 
Phone +49 40 307030 - 70
Fax     +49 40 307031 - 70
Email  salesteam(at)hl-cruises.com

Please also refer to our information under the item "Arrival and departure".

Form for bringing you own wheelchair - EUROPA & EUROPA 2

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Form for bringing you own wheelchair - HANSEATIC inspiration

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If you are bringing a walking frame with you, please inform us in advance at:

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises,
a TUI Cruises GmbH company
Heidenkampsweg 58
20097 Hamburg
Germany 
Phone +49 40 307030 - 70
Fax     +49 40 307031 - 70
Email  salesteam(at)hl-cruises.com

You will not incur any additional costs. For flights, the walking frame will be considered as hand luggage.

Please note that participating in shore activities and going out in the Zodiacs (subject to weather conditions) may not be possible for guests with physical limitations. We reserve the right to restrict participation in group activities to guests who can manage the entire activity without problem and without external assistance. Unfortunately, guests who are dependent on a wheelchair cannot travel in the Zodiacs. To ensure that you experience a relaxing cruise where everything goes smoothly, before booking please provide us with details of your physical impair¬ment and enquire as to whether we can meet your individual nee

Please note that participating in shore activities and going out in the Zodiacs (subject to weather conditions) may not be possible for guests with physical limitations. We reserve the right to restrict participation in group activities to guests who can manage the entire activity without problem and without external assistance. To ensure that you experience a relaxing cruise where everything goes smoothly, before booking please provide us with details of your physical impairment and enquire as to whether we can meet your individual needs.

Families on board

MS EUROPA & MS EUROPA 2: 

  • Eight months within Europe
  • Two years for all other destinations

HANSEATIC nature & HANSEATIC inspiration & HANSEATIC spirit:

  • six years
  • Age recommendation for voyages for young discoverers: 10 to 17 years

MS EUROPA 2:
On this ship, we offer our family apartments - 2 × 20 m²/215 ft² suites with connecting doors, Deck 8 - ideal for parents or grandparents with two or three children (depending on age).

As an alternative to Category 12, we offer suites with connecting doors in Categories 2 and 3. We will be happy to advise you by phone about the cruise of your choice (+49 40 3070-3070).

MS EUROPA:
Suites are available on this ship for occupancy by up to four persons in Categories 1-7 and 10. We also offer suites with connecting doors in Categories 4 and 6. We will be happy to advise you by phone about the cruise of your choice (+49 40 3070-3070).

HANSEATIC nature, HANSEATIC inspiration & HANSEATIC spirit:
In Categories 9 and 10, triple occupancy (quadruple occupancy in category 10) is possible. Furthermore we offer suites/cabins with connecting doors.

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises offers a range of themed cruises, including family cruises (MS EUROPA and MS EUROPA 2) and voyages for young discoverers (HANSEATIC nature, HANSEATIC inspiration & HANSEATIS spirit).

Click here for an up-to-date selection

On our luxury ships MS EUROPA and MS EUROPA 2, you can ask for the following equipment to be placed in your suite: 

  • Changing mat 
  • Baby monitor 
  • Travel cot (can also be used as playpen) 
  • High chair 
  • Baby bath 
  • Toilet seat insert 
  • Nappy bin with vacuum closing. For our small guests aged two to three years old, we additionally offer the Knopf Club (subject to a surcharge) on the EUROPA 2.

Further information

Health

Expectant mothers who are or will be less than 24 weeks pregnant at the time of embarkation must produce a certificate from an appropriate medical specialist (gynaecologist) confirming that they are fit to travel in the territory covered by the cruise itinerary. We are unable to carry expectant mothers in the 24th week of pregnancy at the time of embarkation or who will enter the 24th week of pregnancy during the cruise.

We request that you contact our sales team in advance if you are considering exotic destinations or cruises where you will be at sea for many days in succession (e.g. transatlantic).

You will also find information on cruising and pregnancy in Clause 14 of our General Terms and Conditions of Business.

We require a completed medical questionnaire from all guests travelling to the Antarctic with the HANSEATIC nature, HANSEATIC inspiration or HANSEATIC spirit. 
Please note that the Medical Questionnaire for cruises to Antarctica is available only online as of August 2023. Please find the mandatory questionnaire under the following link: www.hl-cruises.com/questionnaire

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises,
a TUI Cruises GmbH company
Heidenkampsweg 58 
20097 Hamburg 
Germany  
Phone +49 40 307030 - 70
Fax     +49 40 307031 - 70
Email  salesteam(at)hl-cruises.com

The questionnaire is essential for the following reasons:

There is no medical care network in the Antarctic. All our ships feature a hospital with a qualified doctor, a good inventory of medications and medical equipment. This is for your own safety and the information will be treated with strict confidentiality.

Please note the deadlines for returning the questionnaire as cancellation costs may be incurred.

The bed linen is 100 % cotton. We can provide hypoallergenic linen on request:

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises,
a TUI Cruises GmbH company
Heidenkampsweg 58 
20097 Hamburg 
Germany 
Phone +49 40 307030 - 70
Fax     +49 40 307031 - 70
Email  salesteam@hl-cruises.com

Ventilators that work with ambient air and do not require a separate oxygen supply are permitted. It is important that the devices work on 230 volts (V)/16 amperes (A)/60 hertz (Hz). Depending on the type of device, any deviations may cause the device to malfunction. No repairs can or may be carried out on board. Such devices must be registered at the time of booking or no later than four weeks prior to the cruise departure.

Please register your medical devices by e-mail, fax or through the post at:

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises,
a TUI Cruises GmbH company
Heidenkampsweg 58 
20097 Hamburg 
Germany 
Phone +49 40 307030 - 70
Fax     +49 40 307031 - 70
E-Mail  salesteam(at)hl-cruises.com

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises ships have a ship's hospital equipped with modern medical facilities which is under the direction of an experienced ship's doctor.  

If you suffer from allergies or have special dietary requirements, please let us know in advance so that we can pass this information on to the relevant people.

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises,
a TUI Cruises GmbH company
Heidenkampsweg 58 
20097 Hamburg 
Germany 
Phone +49 40 307030 - 70
Fax     +49 40 307031 - 70
Email  salesteam@hl-cruises.com

FAQ

ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE

Can I also have my luggage picked up? What should I consider if I make individual travel arrangements?

Questions about arrival & departure
FAQ

LIFE ON BOARD

In which suite category can I enjoy the butler service? Is there always a golf pro on board?

Questions about life on board