Interview

“
DIE FAHRT DURCH DAS PACKEIS WAR EIN TOLLES ERLEBNIS.
“

Lars Peterssen ist überwältigt von den Eindrücken seiner ersten Arktis-Reise.

Managing Director Hapag-Lloyd Cruises

Isolde Susset

Question: In the 2027/28 season, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises will be offering an intensive winter itinerary in the Indian Ocean for the first time with the HANSEATIC nature. How did the idea for these expeditions come about and what was the reason behind it?

Isolde Susset: We want to offer our guests expeditions that are genuinely new and unique – meaning beyond the established winter expedition routes in Antarctica. I have long been fascinated by the Indian Ocean: its tropical diversity, untouched islands and wildlife found nowhere else. For us, it is a natural step to explore these regions in greater depth. It is simply part of the DNA of our expedition fleet to discover new horizons time and again and to make our pioneering spirit tangible – and we demonstrate this in both summer and winter. Winter is not just cold, after all.

Question: Some of the destinations on the new routes are premieres for Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, such as the Saint Francois Atoll. How do you plan such unique expeditions?

Isolde Susset: We begin with intensive research: What flora and fauna are there, what are the weather conditions like, how accessible is a place? Then we consult with a team of experts from a wide range of disciplines. This enables us to develop shore excursions that offer fascinating nature experiences and are also safe and easy to plan. The small size of our ships allows us to visit places that are simply inaccessible to large cruise ships – that's what makes these expeditions so special.

Question: How does a tropical expedition in the Indian Ocean differ from your previous winter routes to Antarctica, Norway or the Bothnian Bay – apart from snow and ice?

Isolde Susset: Antarctica impresses with its remoteness, majestic silence and penguins. Norway in winter offers breathtaking polar lights – real bucket list experiences. The Indian Ocean is completely different: lush tropical forests, brightly coloured coral reefs, endemic animal species and secluded beaches. For our guests, this means a whole new, intense expedition experience – with summer temperatures in the middle of the European winter.

Question: What makes the Seychelles and Madagascar so special for you as expedition destinations?

Isolde Susset: Both destinations are truly unique from an expedition perspective. Our small ships allow us to travel off the classic routes and reach remote islands and atolls. Many coastal areas and nature reserves are accessible only to very small groups – perfect for our expedition guests. It is a privilege to share these rare natural experiences, from giant tortoises on Aldabra to lemurs in Madagascar.

Question: What highlights and unforgettable experiences await guests on these new routes?

Isolde Susset: Each voyage offers its own unique highlights. Our guests observe lemurs, encounter giant tortoises, explore untouched atolls and dive into colourful coral reefs while snorkelling. In addition, there are exciting Zodiac rides and landings, hikes in national parks and the rare opportunity to have some islands almost to themselves. All this is accompanied by our team of experts, who explain the local nature, wildlife and culture – turning observations into real discoveries.

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