Premiere on the Great Lakes: HANSEATIC inspiration to sail all five Great Lakes and the St Lawrence River in 2027

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is expanding its Great Lakes program in 2027 with two new longer itineraries aboard the expedition ship the HANSEATIC inspiration. For the first time, guests can experience all five Great Lakes together with the St Lawrence River on two 21-day voyages between Milwaukee and Halifax.

The new routes were created in response to strong demand for more in-depth Great Lakes expeditions and will replace three previously planned shorter cruises. Together with two existing itineraries, the 2027 season will feature four voyages exploring North America’s vast freshwater region.
Designed specifically for navigating narrow locks and shallow waterways, the HANSEATIC inspiration is one of the few expedition ships capable of operating in the Great Lakes region. Guests will experience spectacular lock passages along the Welland Canal and St Lawrence River, combined with Zodiac rides, hikes, wildlife encounters and cultural highlights across Canada and the United States.

Highlights of the new itineraries include Lake Superior’s rugged wilderness, Georgian Bay’s island landscapes, Toronto and Niagara Falls, as well as the French-influenced cities of Montreal and Quebec. In Tadoussac, guests may spot belugas and humpback whales where the Saguenay Fjord meets the St Lawrence River.

The two new 21-day voyages are:
• Milwaukee to Halifax: 20 Aug – 10 Sep 2027
• Halifax to Milwaukee: 10 Sep – 1 Oct 2027

Fares start from €15,490 per person based on double occupancy. Additional Great Lakes itineraries in August and October 2027, as well as the 2028 program, are also now open for booking.

About Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is the leading luxury and expedition cruise brand in German-speaking markets. Its five small ships are the only fleet worldwide awarded the highest five-star rating by Insight Guides 2025. Since 2020, the brand has been part of TUI Cruises GmbH, a joint venture between TUI AG and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. The entire fleet is now fully bilingual, offering all sailings in both English and German.

More information: www.hl-cruises.com