The
Bremen was built in 1990 at the Mitsubishi Shipyard in Kobe, Japan, as the Frontier Spirit. She was acquired by Hapag-Lloyd in 1993, renamed
Bremen, and refurbished in July 2006.
Bremen has had an adventurous career sailing some of the most exotic itineraries in the world. During a storm in the Southern Atlantic in 2001, a rogue wave caused serious damage, even breaking a window on the bridge. This phenomenon thrust the ship into the spotlight in the news media. Recovering fully from the incident,
Bremen went on to discover a previously uncharted island in the Antarctic in 2003. The piece of land was officially named Bremeninsel in honor of the ship.
Bremen continues to add bilingual English-German cruises to her roster. She sails several different itineraries marketed to the North American market. Greenland, Antarctica, the Amazon River, and the Gambia River in Africa are on the list of possibilities. All other cruises become bilingual if 15 or more English-speaking passengers are booked on a particular sailing. On bilingual cruises, guests can expect daily programs, menus, announcements, lectures and video presentations, and safety drill instructions in English. A small selection of English-language in-room movies will be available. Shore excursions are offered in English on a group and individual basis whenever possible. The entire crew is fluent in English.
Hapag-Lloyd AG was established in 1970 as a result of the merger of the shipping lines Hamburg-America Line (or Hapag), based in Hamburg, and Norddeutscher Lloyd (NDL), based in Bremen. At the time of integration, these companies, founded in 1847 and 1857 respectively, had been active in ocean shipping for more than a century. In 1997, the company became a wholly owned subsidiary of TUI AG, a European tourism industry leader. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises division is the foremost supplier of luxury cruises in the German-speaking world. Its ships Europa, Hanseatic, Bremen and Columbus carry passengers in style all over the globe and are offering more English-German bilingual cruises each year.
The German-run vessel appeals primarily to Germans and Europeans aged 40 to 75 who are looking for exotic itineraries and educational expeditions without sacrificing a traditional luxury cruise experience. Onboard, the dress code is "informal" but not casual: Men wear polo shirts, slacks and pullover sweaters and women wear dresses, skirts and blouses, or pantsuits. For the two captain's receptions woman wear evening pantsuits, black dresses and men a suit and tie. On an expedition, clothing should be comfortable and suitable to the climate. Sturdy waterproof shoes or boots are indispensable for Zodiac trips. In the Antarctic and Arctic light, waterproof pants as well as gloves and a scarf are suggested for Zodiac landings. The ship lends passengers parkas and rubber boots.
Land excursions are available for an additional fee on each sailing. A selection is sent to guests about three months prior to departure: Some excursions require pre-booking and will be so noted. Expert lecturers accompany every sailing, and are available to answer questions, give talks and show videos in the Panorama Lounge prior to each port. Lecturers also accompany complimentary Zodiac landings and participate in walks and hikes in small groups.
The Bremen was updated in 2006. Furnishings were refreshed in the cabins, the library and the spacious Panorama Lounge—the central meeting point for lectures. The ship has a new phone system, two new e-mail desks, a redesigned pool and reception area. She has added a new telescope for passenger use. The small fitness center houses a sauna, a dining room and a reception area.
Dinner in the restaurant is served at a single sitting with assigned tables. Breakfast and lunch are open seating. At dinner, an effort is made to seat English speaking passengers together. The restaurant now offers a new cuisine legere, a light menu, in addition to the regular a la carte menu. Food is well-prepared and very good, and the room is smoke-free.
Bremen is the first expedition ship to offer private balconies. The cabins on Deck 3 have portholes, while all others have panoramic windows. Baths are equipped with a shower; the suites have tubs. Cabins have two large single beds. A double bed can be supplied if required (except in cabins 615 to 618). The suites have double beds, which cannot be made into two single beds. Each cabin has a small sofa or armchair and table, a sideboard with a dressing table and hair dryer, robes, stocked minibar with non-alcoholic beverages, a safe, phone, TV, radio, reading lamp, a spacious wardrobe and an individual air-conditioning system. Cabins on Decks 6 and 7 have balconies. Cabins 409 and 411 cater to the needs of disabled passengers. An extra bed is in cabins 302 to 312, 401 to 408, and 415 to 420; two extra beds are in cabins 409 and 411.
Bremen provides top-of-the-line accommodations for travelers seeking adventure. Her hull was designed to cut through ice and with her shallow draft she can navigate places no other ship would dare. Like her fleet-mate, the Hanseatic, she travels throughout the world. Bremen offers large cabins with high-caliber food and service and is most often compared with other luxury expedition ships like Corinthian II and Explorer II. Tipping is not required, but guests may tip for significant service.
