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Otaru - Seward
Otaru - Seward Hokkaido, Aleutian Islands and Alaska - a real explorer's trilogy from Asia to Alaska
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21.06.26 to 09.07.26|19 days
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HANSEATIC inspiration
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INS2609
What to expect
The highlights of this cruise
- Travel beyond your dreams: on an exceptional route along the Pacific Ring of Fire
- Pure pioneering spirit: filling terra incognita with life
- Experience the diversity of nature in the habitat of cranes, whales, bears and sea eagles
- Authentic and inspiring: captivating insights into local life
- Volcanic power of creation in many guises
Travel information
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Sun, 21.06.2026
Otaru (Sapporo)/Japan, departure 22.00 hrs -
Welcome to the Pacific Ring of Fire, on a route that takes you to some of the most remote corners of the world. The small HANSEATIC inspiration combines great pioneering spirit with Asian and North American contrasts. Together with your experts, first discover Japan’s unknown faces in the island world of Hokkaido. A new land of smiles and a touristically blank slate, from which your expedition shapes new images of Asia daily in the style of origami. Right at the beginning, explore the diverse nature of the small volcanic island of Rishiri on hikes with your experts. Feeling adventurous? At a sea urchin station, you can catch them yourself, then open and enjoy them. You can also discover the rugged rocky island of Okushiri on an individual landing together with the experts. The waters off Okushiri are known for abalone, perhaps you will try one of these typical seafoods yourself. From Hakodate, focus is on the volcano, birdlife, and vegetation of Onuma National Park¹. Alternatively, inspect fresh fish and crabs at a market visit before continuing your city tour with a visit to Goryokaku Fort, the first western-style fortress in Japan. From Kushiro, the paths lead into Akan-Mashu National Park¹, known for high volcanoes, clear lakes, deep forests, and Mount Iou – here you experience bubbling sulphur fumaroles. The Kushiro Shitsugen Wetlands¹ can be explored by kayak¹ or on an easy walk¹ along wooden boardwalks.
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Fri, 26.06.2026 - Mon, 29.06.2026
Relaxation at sea (crossing the International Date Line, 29.06 counts twice) -
After relaxed days at sea, during which you can fully enjoy the service and comfort on board, anticipation and excitement fill the air. Slowly, the outline of a coastline appears on the horizon and the HANSEATIC inspiration reaches a very remote chain of islands in the Pacific: the Aleutians. At the southern edge of the Bering Sea, it is lonely, vast, and pristine, and nature appears as it is now rarely seen. Look forward to many exciting sights and insights during your landings and as the HANSEATIC inspiration cruises flexibly through these waters. On Adak Island, follow the history of the former military base with your experts, today almost a ghost town. Cruising becomes livelier before Chagulak Island, accompanied by thousands of storm petrels. On your flexible route through the island maze, there are good chances to spot sea otters, orcas, and humpback whales. Dutch Harbor on Unalaska Island tells the story of Russian America, as Alaska was called until the mid-19th century. A walk on Popof Island leads into the homeland of the bison.
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Alaska satisfies your longing for great adventures in vast wilderness. The stuff of explorers’ dreams is revealed to you on this unforgettable journey in impressive form. Upon arriving at the Alaska Peninsula, gain initial insights into the life of the inhabitants of the small fishing village of Chignik under the motto “Meet the locals.” Will you spot Steller sea lions and horned puffins while cruising past the bird cliffs of Kak Island?
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With luck, you may even observe bears from the deck as the HANSEATIC inspiration cruises through Katmai National Park and heads for secluded bays.
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The main settlement of Kodiak Island was the second-largest community of Russian America until 1867. Today, the Russian Orthodox Church and the Kodiak History Museum recall this period. Explore the small, charming Alaskan town on your own. A transfer takes you to Fort Abercrombie State Park¹: walk through the moss-covered coastal forest, past Arctic flower meadows. With luck, you may even spot whales off the coast.
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Homer is your starting point for spectacular tours focused on bear watching¹ in the vast wilderness. A seaplane takes you on a scenic flight to Brooks Falls¹, where with some luck you can observe brown bears fishing for salmon. Alternatively, fly to Lake Clark National Park¹ – on a walk with a ranger, you can also see brown bears in their natural habitat here. You can also actively explore Alaska’s pristine nature from Homer on a hike¹ to the glacier lake or on a boat trip¹.
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While cruising at Aialik Glacier, the deck of the HANSEATIC inspiration once again becomes your observation platform before the curtain of nature’s spectacle slowly falls and this journey from Asia to North America comes to an end in Seward.
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Thu, 09.07.2026
Seward/Alaska/USA, arrival 6.00 hrs
The itinerary depends on official approval and the weather conditions. The natural experiences and wildlife sightings described are possibilities on this cruise and are not guaranteed. The use of on-board Zodiacs is currently not permitted in Alaska and is subject to official approval in Japan. When the ship is at anchor, the ship’s tender boats will be used in Alaska.
2 Depending on the flight plan, it may be necessary to change the post-cruise departure programme.
Arrival and departure | optionally bookable
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Fri, 19.06.2026
DEPARTURE PACKAGE OPTION 1 – with overnight stay in Tokyo
19.06.2026
Scheduled flight Germany – Tokyo20.06.2026
Tokyo
Transfer to a first-class hotel
Overnight stay with breakfast21.06.2026
Tokyo
Transfer to scheduled flight to Sapporo
Transfer to Otaru for embarkation -
Sat, 20.06.2026
Overnight stay with breakfast
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Thu, 09.07.2026
Seward
Transfer to Anchorage for scheduled flight to Seattle
Transfer to a first-class hotel
Overnight stay with breakfast -
Fri, 10.07.2026
Seattle
Transfer to scheduled flight to Germany -
Sat, 11.07.2026
Arrival in Germany
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Extend your trip
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Our popular pre- and post-cruise programmes include a wide range of excursions and are usually guided in German language and accompanied by experienced Hapag-Lloyd Cruises tour guides. Recommended for travelers who like to share their experiences with a group of like-minded people. Experience selected highlights of your holiday destination and enjoy the amenities of a group trip - we take care of transfers, excursions and overnight stays.
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Thu, 18.06.2026 - Sun, 21.06.2026
PRE-CRUISE PROGRAMME B: TOKYO – TRADITION AND MODERNITYmoderat
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Mon, 15.06.2026 - Sun, 21.06.2026
PRE-CRUISE PROGRAMME D: IMPERIAL CITIES OF JAPAN: KYOTO, NARA AND TOKYO (DELUXE)moderat
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Wed, 17.06.2026 - Sun, 21.06.2026
PRE-CRUISE PROGRAMME E: HOKKAIDOmoderat
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Thu, 09.07.2026 - Mon, 13.07.2026
POST-CRUISE PROGRAMME A: SEATTLE – THE VARIED METROPOLISeasy
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