VARD has delivered ‘HANSEATIC spirit’ (pictured), the third expedition cruise vessel for Hamburg-based Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.
Her handover completes the series of three vessels in the new Hapag-Lloyd Cruises expedition class.
‘HANSEATIC spirit’ has now joined the expedition fleet
alongside its structurally identical sisterships, ‘HANSEATIC nature’ and ‘HANSEATIC inspiration’, delivered by VARD in 2019.
The 138 m long and 22 m wide ‘HANSEATIC spirit’ has sailed from Norway to Hamburg. She will sail on her maiden voyage at the end of August.
“We are proud to welcome the ‘HANSEATIC spirit’ as the newest member of the fleet. I am delighted that we have been able to work successfully with the VARD shipyard in a challenging period to complete this build and we can now showcase a state-of-the-art expedition fleet with three small and manoeuvrable 5-star expedition ships. I have great respect for everyone involved and would like to extend my thanks to them all,” said Julian Pfitzner, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises CEO.
VARD’s General Manager for the Business Unit Cruise, Attilio Dapelo, added: “I’m really impressed of all co-workers at VARD and Fincantieri, the team from Hapag-Lloyd Cruises and all involved in this project.
“To build a ship like this, is quite a challenge. In addition, we’ve been faced with tremendous additional pressure due to COVID. Despite all this, thanks to an excellent and solution-oriented co-operation, we have succeeded to get ‘HANSEATIC spirit’ finalised and delivered.”
Similar to her sisterships, ‘HANSEATIC nature’ and ‘HANSEATIC inspiration’, ‘HANSEATIC spirit’ can accommodate 230 guests or 199 guests.
The ship was towed from Tulcea to Vard Langsten in Norway at the end of 2020 for further outfitting, finalising, trials and delivery.
She was formally delivered at a handover ceremony at Vard Langsten on 28th June, 2021.
Vard Langsten Yard Director, Ronny Opsjøn Langset, said: “All three sisterships in the new Hapag-Lloyd Cruise expedition class are now delivered. When developing these beautiful vessels, we really had to use the best of our skills across borders and disciplines.
“The vessels are delivered with the highest standards all the way from ship design, technical solutions, noise and vibrations, and the perfection of the interior quality.
“Thanks to the commitment and dedication of all our designers,
system developers and shipbuilders, we have managed to build and deliver this unique fleet of luxury expedition cruise ships. I’m really delighted to hand over HANSEATIC spirit to its owners,” he concluded.
