Experiencing magical moments around the globe with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises

When the smell of gingerbread wafts through the streets and the first snowflakes begin to fall, the Hapag-Lloyd Cruises fleet sets sail for unforgettable winter moments around the globe. Whether during the Advent season, at Christmas or at the turn of the year – on board the two luxury ships EUROPA and EUROPA 2 and the three expedition ships HANSEATIC nature, HANSEATIC inspiration and HANSEATIC spirit, guests can expect individual service in a personal atmosphere – for a stylish break from everyday life. The choices are abundant: be it warmer or colder climates, sunshine or the Northern Lights, big-city flair or pure relaxation. During the winter months, a wide variety of destinations offer memorable experiences for every type of traveller. 

Whether under the Northern Lights in Norway, amidst the sparkling blue of the South Seas or along the wild and romantic fjords of South America, the cruises during the Christmas season and at the turn of the year all have one thing in common: the atmosphere is bound to be festive. While each destination exudes its own unique charm, the crews on board will ensure that the ships are wonderfully decorated and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. All cruises around Christmastime are available from our partners or online.

Luxury at Christmastime – cruises with the EUROPA and EUROPA 2

While the EUROPA spends the Advent season in paradise and Christmas under palm trees, the EUROPA 2 will set course for a true highlight during the run-up to Christmas, inviting its guests to indulge in some festive shopping in the city that never sleeps. 

In Dec 2025 and Jan 2026, no more than 400 guests on board the luxuriously small EUROPA will experience perfect hospitality and diverse cuisine of an outstanding gourmet quality as well as the idyllic beaches of the Seychelles and the multifaceted nature of Madagascar. Turquoise waters, white sand and lush green palm trees offer those seeking relaxation a slower pace to ring out the old year and recharge their batteries for the new year. In store is a varied entertainment programme featuring the debut of the first piece by Canadian dancer and choreographer Johnny McMillan, who will bring modern dance to the high seas under the motto “new gen”, as well as a premiere call at the archipelago of Nosy Iranja. Instead of traditionally sipping mulled wine, guests can look forward to a festively decorated ship, local culinary classics and cool drinks, not to mention the beauty of the Indian Ocean. The EUROPA will start the new year with a true adventure for explorers: at selected destinations in Madagascar, guests can immerse themselves in the unique natural scenery even more closely and intensively thanks to the ship’s on-board Zodiacs. Fascinating expert lectures on board round off the programme. 

In December, the EUROPA 2, which has been consistently named the “best cruise ship in the world”[1] ever since it was commissioned, will set sail for what is probably the most glamorous metropolis in the run-up to Christmas: New York City. With an overnight stay both at the beginning and end of the cruise, this small luxury ship will make shopping dreams come true: the festively illuminated Big Apple invites guests to enjoy an extensive shopping spree during the festive season. Baltimore, home of Edgar Allan Poe, and historic Boston are perfect for taking in some culture, while days at sea and the Royal Naval Dockyard in Bermuda are an opportunity to indulge in sheer relaxation. For those who wish to combine Christmas with style, relaxing hours in the sun as well as shopping and culture, this is the ideal combination – thanks also to the ship’s outstanding service culture with an exclusive crew-to-guest ratio of almost 1:1 and the diverse gastronomy on board.

Sample cruises

• Discovery route in Madagascar with the EUROPA: From 3 to 22 Jan 2025 (19 days) from/to Port Louis/Mauritius, including various stops in Madagascar, Zanzibar/Tanzania, Mombasa/Kenya and Le Port/Reunion. Bookable in the SILVER fare from € 11,605 per person, double occupancy, including travel package to and from departure and arrival points. For more information, visit: www.hl-cruises.com/EUR2601 
• Christmas magic and sparkling New York with the EUROPA 2: From 10 to 20 Dec 2025 (10 days) from New York via Baltimore, Royal Naval Dockyard/Bermuda and Boston to New York. Bookable in the SILVER fare from € 7,540 per person, double occupancy, including travel package to and from departure and arrival points. For more information, visit: www.hl-cruises.com/EUX2528 

Expeditions devoted to nature: between fjords, ice and Northern Lights 

The HANSEATIC inspiration and HANSEATIC spirit will celebrate the festive season on the distant oceans of the southern hemisphere, sailing to some of the most impressive coastlines on earth. 

Far away from the glittering Christmas lights and shopping stress, guests on board the HANSEATIC inspiration will experience a very special expedition during the Advent season: a cruise into the spectacular contrasts of Chile. The challenging route leads deep into the fascinating watery labyrinth of fjords, glaciers and islands. Between vast glacier landscapes, a rich variety of wildlife and the majestic peaks of Torres del Paine National Park, the wilderness of Patagonia will unveil its most impressive sides. Whether on guided hikes with experts off the beaten track or on Zodiac trips through quiet bays: before the HANSEATIC inspiration sets sail for the Antarctic, this expedition will bring guests right into the heart of nature – and far away from the hustle and bustle of Christmas.

As the days grow shorter and the temperatures cooler, the HANSEATIC spirit will set sail from the South Seas to the realm of the penguins in the Antarctic. Those who wish to experience the pre-Christmas season in warmer climates and explore secluded atolls, rainforest islands and the mystery of the Moai statues on the enigmatic Easter Island will find the perfect combination of relaxation and pioneering spirit on board this small expedition ship. From southern Chile, the HANSEATIC spirit will then head for the Antarctic. When the penguin chicks see the light of day, the Antarctic unfolds its silent majestic guise. At Christmas and at the turn of the year, guests will experience the rugged fjord world of Chile on Zodiac landings and explore the Falkland Islands, South Georgia as well as the Antarctic Peninsula. The new year will then begin with a premiere route, as the HANSEATIC spirit dedicates more time to the Weddell Sea than ever before. With pioneering spirit and a sheer sense of adventure, the expedition ship will head for the edge of the pack ice, drifting ice giants and the impressive ice shelf in the marginal sea of the Antarctic. 

While its sister ships explore the Chilean fjords and the Antarctic, the HANSEATIC nature offers winter discoveries closer to home. From Nov 2025 to Mar 2026, it will leave Hamburg and head to the fascinating winter wonderlands of Norway and Lapland, revealing a landscape of light, tranquillity and Nordic magic. From the spacious open decks, guests can enjoy views of glittering snow-covered landscapes, atmospherically lit cities and the sparkling starry sky – and with a little luck, the Northern Lights will dance with them into the new year. Outdoor activities such as hiking and dog sledding or a visit to Santa Claus will round off this Nordic fairy tale in a winter wonderland, while a touch of “hygge” – that Nordic feeling of cosiness, tranquillity and refined sophistication – hangs in the air.

Sample cruises:

• Expedition Chilean Fjords with HANSEATIC inspiration: From 5 to 20 Dec 2025 (15 days) from Valparaiso via Chile’s northern and southern fjords, Punta Arenas, the Garibaldi Glacier and cruising through the Beagle Channel to Ushuaia/Argentina. Bookable in the SILVER fare from € 10,052 per person, double occupancy, including travel package to and from departure and arrival points. For more information, visit: www.hl-cruises.com/INS2518 
• Expedition Antarctica – Weddell Sea (intensive) with HANSEATIC spirit: From 12 Jan to 3 Feb 2026 (22 days) from Ushuaia/Argentina via the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, South Orkney and South Shetland Islands, the Weddell Sea and Antarctic Peninsula to Ushuaia/Argentina. Bookable in the SILVER fare from € 23,930 per person, double occupancy, including travel package to and from departure and arrival points. For more information, visit: www.hl-cruises.com/SPI2601 
• Northern Lights adventure Norway with HANSEATIC nature: From 5 to 20 Dec 2025 (15 days) from Hamburg via Bergen, among other locations, through the Inside Passage through the fjords and islands of Norway to Stavanger, Alesund, Tromso, North Cape, the Lofoten Islands and cruising in the Geirangerfjord to Hamburg. Three exclusive concerts on board and ashore featuring classical Christmas music ensure an atmosphere with plenty of hygge. Bookable in the SILVER fare from € 6,197 per person, double occupancy, excluding travel package to and from departure and arrival points. For more information, visit: www.hl-cruises.com/NAT2524  

[1] According to Insight Guides Cruising & Cruise Ships 2025.