The search for a shorter route from Europe to East Asia through the Arctic Ocean already pushed explorers in their discoveries some 500 years ago. It was Roald Amundsen who first managed a complete passage in 1906 – the Northwest Passage had been found. Since then, only a few ships have been able to master the legendary sea route, and the expedition fleet of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has been one of them for years. In 2025, another pioneering feat will follow: two ships of the new expedition class will brave the route simultaneously in opposite directions. And you can be there with the HANSEATIC spirit on the east–west route from Greenland to Alaska. The manoeuvrable expedition ship is perfect for navigating safely through these regions, which are extremely challenging to sail. Around 5,800 km (3,604 mi.) lie before you, with places that have often never been captured on film and remain shrouded in vagueness. The journey itself matters more than the destination – and this will also lead you to the importance of the passage for the world of tomorrow. Climate change could ensure ice-free waters all year round. How would this affect possible shipping in the region? Gas and oil deposits would also be accessible. Fascinating modern history, which is another focus on this cruise alongside the reports about legendary seafarers. Greenland’s many facets unfold, providing you with an atmospheric start to your expedition. The largest island in the world will show you, in Sisimiut, how the old traditions of the Inuit have blended with modern life. A discovery tour with your experts will trace the history of whaling here. In Disko Bay, you can look forward to the many Zodiac rides on this cruise. Here the crew launches the robust motorised rubber boats. You can admire the dazzling ice formations from a unique perspective – or watch the natural spectacle from the deck. The splendid Jakobshavn Glacier near Ilulissat is the “birthplace” of around 10 % of Greenland’s icebergs. Marvel at the glistening sculptures here with a hike to the ice fjord. Uummannaq is a typical Greenlandic settlement. The colourful wooden houses are impressively overlooked by a heart-shaped mountain almost 1,000 m (3,281 ft) high. A fitting symbol for the legendary myths that will make your explorer’s heart beat faster ...

The adventure of the Northwest Passage – every nautical mile you sail in the Arctic with the HANSEATIC spirit is like reading a line in the history books on exploration. Only the most daring seafarers took on the challenges, among them legends like Henry Hudson, James Cook, John Franklin and William Baffin. Their memory is preserved to this day in the names of islands and inlets. Pioneering spirit and fascination will also be your companions as soon as the passage in Lancaster Sound begins. After the Zodiac landing on Baffin Island along the coast of Canada, drum dances tell of the Inuit traditions of the native inhabitants in Pond Inlet. On Beechey Island, your experts also draw attention to the history of exploration in the Northwest Passage. A walk to the graves of members of the Franklin expedition, which tried and failed to find the Northwest Passage in 1845, will bring its historic significance to the fore. Zodiac trips and landings in the habitat of whales, seals and polar bears take you from the past to the natural wonders of today. Prince of Wales Island, for example, invites you to take a hike through untouched nature. If weather and ice conditions make it possible, the HANSEATIC spirit will demonstrate its state-of-the-art equipment with the highest ice class for passenger ships – such as when cruising in Peel Sound. Spontaneity rather than a fixed route: the HANSEATIC spirit manoeuvres flexibly through the island labyrinth. Only a few ships are able to do this. Cruising in Victoria Strait reflects the fate and courage of those who braved the forces of nature in past centuries. For a long time, the lost ships of the Franklin expedition were thought to be at the entrance to the strait – until one of them, the Terror, was located in 2016 around 100 km (62 mi.) further south than assumed. On a hike through the tundra on Jenny Lind Island, look out for Arctic foxes, caribou, Arctic hares as well as musk oxen. The animals, which can weigh up to 400 kg (882 lb), can also be seen on Victoria Island with a bit of luck. After some impressive wildlife experiences, immerse yourself in the fascinating world of the Inuit. For centuries, the area around Cambridge Bay was the summer meeting point for the “Copper Eskimo” families– named after their copper tools. Episodes of the Arctic, on which your experts provide you with numerous exciting details. One of them is the Maud, Roald Amundsen’s research ship. The wreck lay in the ice here for around 90 years before it was brought back to Norway in 2018. Encountering other people in this region is rare – which makes the meeting of the HANSEATIC inspiration and the HANSEATIC spirit all the more unique, depending on the ice situation and local conditions. According to old nautical custom, the ship horns sound and this rendezvous is duly celebrated on deck. Further west, the Smoking Hills cause a real sensation. The natural phenomenon of the smoking hills is explained by layers of rocks containing pyrite in their interior and which have ignited themselves. A Zodiac ride gives you unique perspectives of this mystical spectacle. Reaching Herschel Island is a dream come true: you are among the few who have mastered the Northwest Passage. A gripping and legendary sea route lies behind you, but further expedition adventures are already waiting for you.

The very things that made journeys uncertain for seafarers in the past are what make your expedition exciting today. Cruising through the Beaufort Sea and Chukchi Sea thus also follows the desire for insights that remain out of the question for most others. The anticipation is palpable as the HANSEATIC spirit draws nearer to the impressive coastal landscape of Alaska.

In the town of Nome, steam trains, tracks and gold dredges tell of the 1900s and the gold rush. For you, the richness lies in the experiences you make.

A colony of northern fur seals might welcome you as you hike with your experts on Saint Paul Island.

On Unalaska Island, the main island in the Aleutians, you might spot the mighty bald eagle with a bit of luck. You will be able to feel history hanging in the air when you visit North America’s oldest Russian Orthodox Church here. Experience how settlers and trappers once felt on Popof Island, home to bison.

The majestic mountain backdrop forms a contrast to the small village of Chignik with its 80 or so inhabitants. More animated is the bird cliff when cruising off Kak Island with hundreds of seabirds. They seem like the resume of the many inspiring facets of this cruise. With a wealth of new experiences, the last weeks will leave a deep impression – you have added your personal chapter to the story of exploration of the Northwest Passage and will return home with memories that will never fade.