Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Shifts Winter Expeditions to Indian Ocean
Expedition cruising is pushing beyond the poles as brands chase year-round demand for biodiversity-rich, hard-to-reach islands. The Indian Ocean is becoming the next frontier.
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is moving its winter 2027/28 expedition focus to the western Indian Ocean for the first time, scheduling 10 voyages aboard Hanseatic Nature centered on the Seychelles and Madagascar. The warm-weather expedition season is set to run from October 2027 through March 2028, with some routes also linking Cape Town and Mauritius.
A warm-water expedition season, framed as a shift in approach
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has traditionally concentrated its expedition offerings in colder regions, but the new winter lineup is designed around reaching remote islands, atolls and coastlines across the Indian Ocean. Isolde Susset, managing director at Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, described the rationale as a matter of expedition style rather than climate: “For us, expeditions are not defined by temperature, but by mindset.”
Susset said the Seychelles and Madagascar fit that approach because of “extraordinary biodiversity, remote regions, and sensitive ecosystems,” which the company plans to explore through small-group operations and nature-focused programming.
Onboard experts, daily briefings and Zodiac operations
Across the Indian Ocean itineraries, Hanseatic Nature will sail with an expedition team of up to 16 specialists, with disciplines expected to include marine biology, geology, botany and ethnology. The onboard program is built around daily briefings and lectures ahead of landings and Zodiac operations, followed by discussions after excursions.
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises said the sailings are intended to deliver expedition-style access, including close-up coastal exploration and shore approaches by Zodiac craft.
Key expedition areas: reefs, atolls and Madagascar’s endemic wildlife
The winter 2027/28 program highlights conservation areas and wildlife-rich locations across the Seychelles and Madagascar, with onboard interpretation tied to marine biodiversity and local climate-related dynamics. In the Seychelles, itineraries emphasize coral reefs and lagoon environments and include calls at remote island groups and outlying atolls that are less common on conventional cruise itineraries.
A featured stop is the Aldabra Atoll, a UNESCO-protected site known for its giant tortoise population. In Madagascar, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises plans to focus on the island’s eastern and northern coastlines, where guests may encounter endemic species referenced in the program, including lemurs and chameleons, as well as rare plant life.
Two example voyages, with dates, routing and fares
The company outlined two sample itineraries for the season, both sailing from Mahé in the Seychelles to Mauritius, with different routing and voyage lengths.
- Seychelles sailing (Dec. 8–20, 2027): Expedition Seychelles is scheduled to operate from Mahé to Mauritius with calls at the Seychelles Inner Islands, St. François Atoll, Aldabra and Farquhar. Platinum fares start at €9,480 per person (double occupancy), with an early-booking discount available until Jan. 31, 2027; the fare includes a travel package.
- Madagascar sailing (Jan. 15–30, 2028): Expedition Madagascar is scheduled to sail from Mahé to Mauritius via Madagascar’s east and north coasts, with additional calls including Mayotte and Réunion. Platinum fares start at €11,890 per person (double occupancy), with an early-booking discount available until Feb. 28, 2027; the fare includes a travel package.
Beyond the two examples, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises said additional voyages will operate through March 2028, including combined routing that connects Cape Town, Madagascar, the Seychelles and Mauritius.
How the Indian Ocean program fits within the wider expedition fleet
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises said the Indian Ocean deployment for Hanseatic Nature will sit alongside ongoing polar operations. The company’s other expedition ships, Hanseatic Spirit and Hanseatic Inspiration, will continue operating in Antarctica.
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises also noted that two earlier Madagascar expedition voyages are planned for November and December 2026 aboard Hanseatic Spirit, positioning those sailings as a nearer-term option ahead of the expanded Indian Ocean season in 2027/28.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When will Hanseatic Nature operate the Indian Ocean expeditions?
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises said the 10-voyage program will run between October 2027 and March 2028, including sailings such as Dec. 8–20, 2027, and Jan. 15–30, 2028.
How large is the expedition team, and what expertise will be onboard?
The company plans an expedition staff of up to 16 specialists, with fields expected to include marine biology, geology, botany and ethnology. The team is slated to support daily briefings and lectures as well as guided activity ashore.
Are there early-booking discounts for the sample voyages, and what are the deadlines?
Yes. For Expedition Seychelles, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises lists an early-booking discount available until Jan. 31, 2027, and for Expedition Madagascar, the deadline is Feb. 28, 2027. For both sample voyages, the company said the fare includes a travel package.
How is Hapag-Lloyd Cruises balancing warm-water and polar expeditions?
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises said Hanseatic Nature will take on the Indian Ocean program in winter 2027/28, while its other expedition ships, Hanseatic Spirit and Hanseatic Inspiration, will continue operating in Antarctica.
