Preparations for the docking period took around ten months, after which work continued around the clock for ten days on board the HANSEATIC inspiration. Over 500 crew members as well as staff from external companies and the shipyard ticked more than 250 items off the to-do list – from maintenance of the bow thruster, checking the rudders, propellers and stabilisers to installing new carpets, wallpaper and tiles. The focus was primarily on technical work. The small expedition ship also had to undergo a renewal of the ship’s MOT. In addition, the HANSEATIC inspiration was given a fresh new coat of paint.
Alongside technical maintenance work, the cabins and suites as well as the public areas were renovated. The reception, staircases, corridors and the Pool Deck as well as the OCEAN SPA now shine in new splendour. Isolde Susset, Director Expedition Cruises and Travel, explains the work: “As the HANSEATIC inspiration was commissioned in 2019, no major refurbishment work was necessary. We therefore focused on many small details.” Guests’ wishes were also listened to. “We received feedback that the bathrooms of the Grand Suites should be equipped with underfloor heating, which we complied with during the docking period. We also received feedback that the wardrobe doors in the cabins and suites were at times difficult to open and close. Now all the doors have been fitted with a new closure system,” says Isolde Susset.
Today, the HANSEATIC inspiration is departing on a short cruise along the Baltic and North sea coasts of Germany. In eight days, it will sail from Bremerhaven via Binz/Rugen, the premiere harbour of Timmendorf on the Baltic Sea island of Poel, Wismar and a daytime passage through the Kiel Canal to Cuxhaven and on to Hamburg via Helgoland and List/Sylt.
Example cruise
Last-minute guests who would like to experience the HANSEATIC inspiration freshly refurbished from the shipyard can do so on the upcoming cruise from Longyearbyen to Kangerlussuaq. On this expedition from Svalbard via Iceland and Greenland, the cruise combines dream polar destinations and wildlife observations from a truly unique perspective. From Longyearbyen, the HANSEATIC inspiration will explore Svalbard’s west coast before setting course for Reykjavik via the north-west coast of Iceland and then exploring the south-east and west coasts of Greenland before finally reaching Kangerlussuaq. From 11 to 30 Aug 2024 (19 days), bookable in the SILVER fare from € 12,810 per person, double occupancy, including travel package to and from departure and arrival points. For more information, visit www.hl-cruises.com/INS2417.
Reservations: International guests, as well as travel agencies, can make use of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ free-of-charge phone numbers when requesting or booking a cruise. United Kingdom: 0800 0513 829, United States & Canada: 877 445 7447 or 800 334-2724, Belgium: 0800 79 421, Netherlands: 0800 0220 459; all other countries, please call +49 40 30703070 (English-speaking hotline) – or send an email to salesteam(at)hl-cruises.com or visit www.hl-cruises.com/contact-services for local agents.