Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is putting the spotlight on its 2026/2027 Christmas and New Year cruises, offering extraordinary perspectives on this special time of year with its entire fleet. Between Advent, Christmas and the New Year, the small luxury and expedition ships will take guests on routes from the Caribbean islands and the Indian Ocean through Nordic winter landscapes all the way to the Antarctic. Whether it’s Christmas morning on Saint-Barthelemy, New Year’s Eve off Barbados or ringing in the New Year amidst spectacular ice-covered landscapes, these cruises combine a personal atmosphere, special encounters and individual freedom with luxury and expedition experiences of the highest standard.
As the cold, snow and candlelight turn our thoughts inwards, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises opens up new perspectives on the special days between Advent and the New Year. A Christmas morning on Saint-Barthelemy, New Year’s Eve off Barbados, Advent among the tropical islands of the Indian Ocean or the turn of the year surrounded by the icy landscapes of the Antarctic: on cruises between Advent and the start of the new year, these luxury and expedition ships combine extraordinary destinations around the globe with a personal atmosphere, inspiring encounters and individual experiences. Amidst the magic of Advent, the festive season and the turn of the year, memories are made that will linger long after the celebrations are over.
Time for what matters most: festive days filled with freedom, culinary indulgence and shared experiences
For many, the run-up to Christmas is a hectic season paired with a growing desire to spend mindful moments and true quality time with friends and family. The Christmas and New Year cruises offered by Hapag-Lloyd Cruises take this wish on board and turn it into a variety of travel experiences: on the small luxury ships EUROPA and EUROPA 2, the focus is on modern luxury, exceptional cuisine, cultural insights, well-being and plenty of personal freedom. Flexible arrangements, such as a free choice of seating and a relaxed atmosphere, enable guests to personalise their festive celebrations – from Christmas dinner and the captain’s Christmas speech to a romantic sunset at sea and an unforgettable New Year’s Eve party. The expedition ships HANSEATIC nature, HANSEATIC inspiration and HANSEATIC spirit, in turn, offer in-depth experiences of nature with a high standard of comfort and service, accompanied by expert guidance and Zodiac rides – set against spectacular landscapes from the polar worlds of the icy Antarctic to the Indian Ocean.
Sunny prospects for Christmas and New Year with the EUROPA
With the EUROPA, this special travel season begins as early as Advent. The festive cruise combines the vibrancy of New York with the colours and joyful spirit of the Caribbean. Amidst relaxing days at sea, gourmet delights and a selection of island destinations, there is plenty of scope to enjoy for some much-needed time out during the festive season.
- Sample cruise EUR2628 (5 Dec to 20 Dec 2026, 15 days): departing from New York and arriving at Miami, the EUROPA sails via Saint-Barthelemy, Dominica, Saint Lucia, Bonaire, Curacao and Jamaica, taking in some of the Caribbean’s most fascinating islands. Guests can look forward to the Advent season amidst personalised luxury, moments of culinary indulgence and sunny prospects for the end of the year. Bookable in the PLATINUM fare from € 6,570 per person, double occupancy, cruise only, excluding travel to and from departure and arrival points. For more information, visit https://www.hl-cruises.com/cruisefinder/eur2628
Immediately afterwards, the Christmas cruise with the EUROPA heads to the festive islands of the Caribbean. Guests will spend Christmas Eve on Saint-Barthelemy, renowned for its relaxed exclusivity and Caribbean way of life. At the turn of the year, the EUROPA sets course for Barbados: against the backdrop of Bridgetown and Carlisle Bay, the special end-of-year atmosphere is combined with a stylish celebration on board.
- Sample cruise EUR2700 (20 Dec 2026 to 6 Jan 2027, 17 days): the cruise sails from Miami to Miami via Saint-Barthelemy, St John’s, Martinique, Saint Lucia, Mayreau, Bequia, St. George’s, Barbados, Saint Kitts and Norman Island. Christmas and New Year’s celebrations enriched with a special blend of culinary indulgence, light-heartedness and the Caribbean way of life. Bookable in the PLATINUM fare from € 10,590 per person, double occupancy, cruise only, excluding travel to and from departure and arrival points. For more information, visit: https://www.hl-cruises.com/cruisefinder/eur2700
An exotic Advent season with the EUROPA 2 and HANSEATIC spirit combining moments in paradise, expedition adventures and in-depth encounters with nature
Southern warmth and exotic vistas characterise the Advent cruises with the EUROPA 2 and the HANSEATIC spirit. Whilst the EUROPA 2 sails through the turquoise island worlds of the Indian Ocean, merging modern design, a cosmopolitan lifestyle and cultural inspiration with relaxed luxury, the HANSEATIC spirit focuses on in-depth encounters with nature and wildlife. Zodiac landings and expedition experiences open up unique access to regions that remain hidden on traditional cruise ship routes.
- Sample cruise EUX2628 (4 Dec to 20 Dec 2026, 16 days): from Port Louis (Mauritius) to Mahe (Seychelles), the EUROPA 2 sails via Reunion, Madagascar, Zanzibar, Mombasa and the islands of the Seychelles. Amidst sandy white beaches, cultural impressions and plenty of space, guests can enjoy the festive season to the fullest. Bookable in the PLATINUM fare from € 11,990 per person, double occupancy, cruise only, excluding travel to and from departure and arrival points. For more information, visit: https://www.hl-cruises.com/cruisefinder/eux2628
- Sample cruise SPI2624 (3 Dec to 21 Dec 2026, 18 days): the HANSEATIC spirit sails from Mauritius to Cape Town via Madagascar to the coasts of South Africa. Encounters with extraordinary wildlife, in-depth experiences of nature and expeditions with the ship’s own Zodiacs make this cruise a special way to get into the festive spirit. Bookable in the PLATINUM fare from € 12,770 per person, double occupancy, cruise only, excluding travel to and from departure and arrival points. For more information, visit: https://www.hl-cruises.com/cruisefinder/spi2624
Experience Nordic winter landscapes mindfully with HANSEATIC nature
The HANSEATIC nature offers a different perspective on the season with its winter cruises on the Baltic Sea as far as Lapland and Christmas in the Gulf of Bothnia. Small ships, open decks and thrilling experiences of nature create unforgettable winter moments in Nordic cities, icy landscapes and the magic of the Northern Lights.
- Sample cruise NAT2626 (10 Dec to 20 Dec 2026, 10 days): the HANSEATIC nature sails from Hamburg to Hamburg via Copenhagen, Stockholm, Visby, Gdansk and Kalmar. Winter-clad cities, a Nordic atmosphere and unique lighting effects create a very special ambience, making this Advent cruise a relaxing way to get into the festive spirit. Bookable in the PLATINUM fare from € 6,940 per person, double occupancy, cruise only, excluding travel to and from departure and arrival points. For more information, visit: https://www.hl-cruises.com/cruisefinder/nat2626
- Sample cruise NAT2700 (20 Dec 2026 to 5 Jan 2027, 16 days): departing from and returning to Hamburg, the HANSEATIC nature sails through Swedish and Finnish Lapland as far north as Kemi at the northern tip of the Gulf of Bothnia. Surrounded by ice, crisp winter air and, with a bit of luck, the Northern Lights, guests celebrate Christmas and ring in the New Year in one of Europe’s most enchanting winter landscapes. Bookable in the PLATINUM fare from € 11,170 per person, double occupancy, cruise only, excluding travel to and from departure and arrival points. For more information, visit: https://www.hl-cruises.com/cruisefinder/nat2700
New Year celebrations at the far end of the world: Antarctic expedition with the HANSEATIC inspiration ans HANSEATIC spirit
For those who see the New Year as a fresh start, the Christmas and New Year cruises on board the HANSEATIC inspiration and HANSEATIC spirit set course for the Antarctic. The cruise “From Cape to Cape”, in particular, connects two continents in an extraordinary way: from warm South Africa via remote island worlds to the polar region of the icy Antarctic, guests will experience an itinerary – spanning the habitats of the big five to the southern polar ecosystem – that goes far beyond a classic Antarctic cruise.
- Sample cruise INS2700 (13 Dec 2026 to 4 Jan 2027, 22 days): from Ushuaia to Ushuaia, the HANSEATIC inspiration sails via the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, the South Orkney Islands, the South Shetland Islands and the Weddell Sea to the Antarctic Peninsula. Thrilling days of exploration, wildlife sightings and spectacular ice landscapes characterise the festive season. Bookable in the PLATINUM fare from € 26,520 per person, double occupancy, cruise only, including charter flights and travel to and from departure and arrival points. For more information, visit: https://www.hl-cruises.com/cruisefinder/ins2700
- Sample cruise SPI2700 (21 Dec 2026 to 12 Jan 2027, 22 days): from Cape Town to Ushuaia, the HANSEATIC spirit sails via Tristan da Cunha, South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula on one of the expedition fleet’s most extraordinary routes. A cruise between Africa and Tierra del Fuego – exhilarating, extraordinary and characterised by spectacular encounters with nature. Bookable in the PLATINUM fare from € 29,370 per person, double occupancy, cruise only, including charter flight/travel to arrival point. For more information, visit: https://www.hl-cruises.com/cruisefinder/spi2700
