With just 184 passengers, MS Hanseatic is considered a small cruise ship. However, by expedition class standards she's one of the largest at sea. Commissioned in 1993, the Hanseatic has been rated one of the most luxurious adventure ships in the industry. She also offers the highest possible ice-class rating for a passenger vessel.
Onboard, guests enjoy all the amenities of the finest luxury vessel, an extensive lecture program and access to the world's most remote destinations. A 2007 refurbishment included removing and reinstalling new baths in every cabin and adding two public Internet workstations for a total of three.
Hapag-Lloyd AG came into being on 1 September 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 continuing to offer more English-German bilingual cruises each year.
The German-run vessel appeals primarily to Germans and Europeans looking for an expedition without sacrificing luxury. Regent Seven Seas Cruises spent a number of years chartering Hanseatic in Antarctica, boosting her popularity in the North American market. That said, it is important that native English-speakers book one of the many designated bilingual cruises or be in a group of 15 or more to have bilingual accommodations added.
Dress is sporty-casual each evening in the dining room—jackets and ties for men and dresses or pantsuits for women. Passengers dress up more formally for two captain's dinners. On an expedition, clothing should be comfortable and suitable to the climate. Sturdy waterproof shoes or boots are indispensable for Zodiac trips; if guests lack them, the ship can lend a pair. In the Antarctic and Arctic, light waterproof pants as well as gloves and a scarf are suggested for Zodiac landings. Hanseatic provides a warm, weatherproof parka for the duration of the cruise.
Expert lecturers accompany every cruise, discussing the region each evening in Darwin Hall. All talks are broadcast live in the cabins as well. Lecturers accompany all Zodiac landings and shore excursions. Zodiac landings are included in the price of the cruise and are based on weather and conditions in the region. On an 18-day cruise, weather permitting, expect an estimated 14 Zodiac landings and 4 bay cruises in Antarctica. Optional Shore Excursions are also available for a fee. Guests receive a list of available excursions three months prior to departure and can book in advance if they choose.
Hanseatic devotes five decks to passenger areas including cabins, a large lounge, two dining rooms, Observation Lounge and library, saltwater pool, exercise room, sauna and hot tub. Darwin Hall, a small auditorium on the lowest deck, is the venue for a schedule of lectures by naturalists and scientists. Phones and Internet access are onboard, but in extremely remote areas, like the Antarctic, the Arctic and the Northwest Passage, Internet, e-mail and phone service might not be available for several days.
Dinner in the Marco Polo restaurant is served at a single sitting with assigned tables. There is open seating at breakfast and lunch. At dinner, an effort is made to seat English-speaking passengers together. The Columbus Lounge serves breakfast and lunch, offering both a buffet and grilled items cooked to order. Breakfast consists of both traditional European fare and American favorites. At lunch, the Columbus Lounge and Marco Polo serve the same menu items yet the Lounge also offers a cooked-to-order grill featuring hamburgers and fries. For dinner on most evenings, the Columbus Lounge transforms into an elegant alternative-dining venue serving a fixed menu with a regional theme. It is by reservation only, but there is no extra cost.
The cabins provide a comfortable living and sleeping area, plus a modern bath with shower (suites have a tub). All cabins have a minibar, private e-mail and video library, TV with infotainment, radio, satellite phone, a spacious closet, hair dryer, travel alarm clock and in-cabin thermostat. Bridge deck cabins also have a safe. Cabins 401 to 424 have portholes, all others a window offering a panoramic view. Cabins 203 to 210 each have an extra bed; two extra beds are available in cabins 211 and 212.
Nonalcoholic beverages are available free of charge in the cabin and suite minibars. The minibars are restocked every day. Beer is also stocked in Category 5 cabins on the Explorer Deck. The Bridge Deck cabins also offer cognac, grappa, Williams pear brandy, whiskey and port free of charge, while the suites have gin and vodka as well.
Continental breakfast, along with a choice of snacks, is available as part of the 24-hour room service. A selection of luxury toiletries such as bath salts, hair-care products and mouthwash, lip balm and sunscreen are provided for guests on the bridge deck. Guests on the bridge deck also have 24-hour butler service. This service includes unpacking your suitcases, cleaning your shoes and ironing your clothes, if so desired. On embarkation, your butler will serve you champagne and caviar and continue to provide snacks and treats throughout the cruise.
Hanseatic is most often compared to the Explorer II, which has a larger following in North America because of its marketing partnerships with Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Abercrombie & Kent. Before you book, consider this: Hanseatic beats Explorer II for the price, and the standard cabins are larger than those on Explorer II and the baths about twice as large. The Hanseatic engages some of the best Antarctica specialists, including David Fletcher, who is probably the most renowned expedition director on any Antarctica cruise. Regent used to charter the Hanseatic for a few Antarctica cruises each year.
