Press Release of 10/04/2023

Top-rated fleet worldwide! Hapag-Lloyd Cruises achieves the highest scores in Insight Guides Cruising & Cruise Ships, formerly known as Berlitz Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships

  • All their ships in the fleet awarded the highest rating
  • Best Fleet: Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is the sole provider to receive five-star ratings 

Five stars, five ships – a total of 341 ships were evaluated, and all five luxury and expedition ships of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises received the highest scores. They were the only ships in the world to be awarded five stars by Insight Guides (formerly known as Berlitz Cruising and Cruise Ships). This achievement earns Hapag-Lloyd Cruises the coveted title of ‘Best Fleet Worldwide.’ 

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Due to the global pandemic, the Berlitz Cruising and Cruise Ships guidebook has been on pause since 2019. Now, the renowned cruise ship and cruise experience guidebook returns under a new name. Insight Guides Cruising & Cruise Ships, released on October 1, 2023, marks the 39th edition of the independent cruise guidebook. This compilation is the result of meticulous evaluations of hundreds of ships and cruise lines worldwide and confirms Hapag-Lloyd Cruises as the world's premier ships.

In the category of small ships with 251 to 750 passengers, EUROPA 2 takes the top spot with the highest score of all reviews, earning the title of the ‘Top-Rated Cruise Ship in the World,’ with her sister ship MS EUROPA close behind. And the expedition ship the HANSEATIC spirit claimed the top spot among boutique ships with 50 to 250 guests, followed closely by the identical expedition newbuilds, the HANSEATIC inspiration and the HANSEATIC nature.

"The recognition of the daily efforts of the crews on board and on land, their dedication to exceptional quality and excellence brings me great joy and pride. At the same time, it serves as motivation for the future," says Julian Pfitzner, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.

"It was my wife who pointed out that it is the first time in the history of my cruise guidebook, that any company has achieved the highest scores for all the ships in their fleet - and the only cruise line to achieve a five-star rating in the new guidebook! I extend my heartiest personal congratulations," says author of the Guide book Douglas Ward.


Reservations: 
International guests, as well as travel agencies, can call 877-445-7447 or 800-334-2724 to book a cruise or send an email to salesteam(at)hl-cruises.com or visit www.hl-cruises.com/contact-services for local agents.

For more information on Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ exciting destinations and itineraries, visit www.hl-cruises.com. All press releases and a picture gallery can be found at www.hl-cruises.com/press

Social Media: Connect with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises on Facebook (Hapag-Lloyd Cruises), Twitter (@HLCruisesInt) and Instagram #Hapaglloydcruises.

Hamburg, October 2023

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