Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has announced its 2026/27 winter expedition programme, with the expedition ship HANSEATIC nature returning to northern Europe for a season focused on Arctic landscapes, Northern Lights experiences and winter exploration voyages departing directly from Hamburg.

The cruise line’s winter programme will run from October 2026 through April 2027, while sister ships HANSEATIC inspiration and HANSEATIC spirit simultaneously operate expedition cruises in Antarctica.

Northern Lights Cruises Return To Norway’s Fjords

The expedition programme includes seven Northern Lights voyages through Norway’s fjord regions, along with winter cruises through the Baltic Sea and multiple Lapland itineraries into the Gulf of Bothnia.

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises said the itineraries are designed to combine outdoor winter activities with Nordic culture and Arctic scenery.

The HANSEATIC nature, which accommodates a maximum of 230 guests, will navigate narrow fjords, skerry coastlines and remote northern destinations inaccessible to larger ships.

Ports and destinations include the Lofoten Islands, Geirangerfjord, Alta and Tromso, often referred to as the “Gateway to the Arctic.”

The company said heightened solar activity is expected to increase the likelihood of intense aurora borealis displays during the season.

Passengers will be able to observe the Northern Lights from open deck areas far from artificial light pollution under clear Arctic skies.

Winter Activities And Sami Cultural Experiences Included

The expedition programme also includes winter excursions and outdoor experiences designed for varying activity levels.

Guests can participate in dog sledding, snowshoe hiking, fjord sauna experiences and kayaking using specialised cold-weather suits.

Additional cultural experiences include visits to ice hotels and opportunities to learn about Sami traditions and northern Scandinavian life.

Three voyages will specifically focus on Lapland and the Gulf of Bothnia, an area Hapag-Lloyd Cruises describes as a hidden winter destination.

Routes Adjusted Due To Changing Ice Conditions

The cruise line confirmed that two itineraries for the 2026/27 season have been redesigned to adapt to changing ice conditions in the Gulf of Bothnia.

According to the company, recent colder winters have intensified ice formation, making navigation outside January and February increasingly difficult even for polar-class expedition ships.

Stricter regional regulations also now require the use of icebreakers during certain periods to protect supply routes in the area.

One new Baltic expedition itinerary will connect Sweden, Finland and the Baltic States up to seasonal ice limits, while another route will allow for flexible expedition days depending on ice conditions in the Bothnian Sea and Bothnian Bay.

Scandinavian Winter Cruises To Pause After 2027

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises also confirmed that Scandinavian winter expeditions will pause after the 2026/27 season.

Following the Arctic-focused programme, HANSEATIC nature will reposition to warmer destinations in the western Indian Ocean, including Madagascar, the Seychelles and remote island regions.

Lapland And Baltic Voyages Highlighted For 2027

Among the featured itineraries is the 15-day “Lapland Winter Adventure” cruise departing Hamburg on January 20, 2027.

The voyage includes flexible expedition days in the Gulf of Bothnia based on ice conditions, alongside winter visits to Stockholm and Copenhagen. Prices start from €9,390 per person based on double occupancy.

Another featured itinerary, “Scandinavia and the Baltic States,” departs on March 21, 2027, combining late-winter Baltic destinations with an expedition day near the Gulf of Bothnia ice limit before returning to Hamburg via the Kiel Canal.

Prices for the Easter-season cruise begin at €9,670 per person based on double occupancy.