Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Launches the Wave Season for 2026/27 - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

With a curated portfolio of luxury and expedition cruises, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises opens the Wave Season 2026/27, inviting travellers to secure exceptional journeys early and benefit from attractive early-booking advantages.

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is ushering in the Wave Season with its new campaign, “The World Awaits You – Book Early. Travel with Excellence.” The initiative focuses on bookings for voyages departing between June 2026 and April 2027 and highlights a carefully curated selection of luxury and expedition cruises across nine key destination regions. Guests who plan ahead can take advantage of early-booking discounts on selected cruises, valid until 25 February or 31 May 2026, depending on the itinerary.

The Wave Season, traditionally a key planning period around the turn of the year, is a cornerstone of the cruise calendar. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises uses this time to inspire discerning travellers with its signature blend of personalised luxury, a spirit of discovery and thoughtfully designed itineraries. Exceptional service, outstanding cuisine and immersive travel experiences are central to the campaign, complemented by tangible incentives for early decision-makers.

Wave Season 2026/27: Inspiration for a New Travel Year

The multichannel campaign marks the beginning of a new travel year and invites guests to explore the world from fresh perspectives. From remote natural wonders and refined moments of indulgence to distinctive experiences both on board and ashore, the focus is on depth, quality and authenticity.

Isolde Susset, Managing Director of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, underlines the ambition behind the new season: “We are approaching the coming travel year with pride and joyful anticipation. Our diverse itineraries once again reflect the expertise and passion of our entire team. Each route is an invitation to discover the world in all its variety – sometimes quiet and expansive in the ice, sometimes warm and vibrant in the South Pacific or Central America. Our new season brings together what our guests value most: time for individuality, outstanding routing and space for genuine discoveries.”

Clas Eckholt, Vice President Commercial at TUI Cruises, adds: “Hapag-Lloyd Cruises combines bespoke service, exceptional comfort and carefully curated itineraries to create travel experiences that resonate long after the journey ends. The Wave Season stands for foresight and high standards. Those who book early are not just securing their preferred cruise, but an experience that is unique to Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. Our guests plan consciously and with high expectations – and the Wave Season campaign captures this perfectly: choosing early means choosing excellence.”

Campaign Presence and Sales Support

The campaign places a deliberate emphasis on the elegant presentation of the cruise experience. The nine focus regions for the 2026/27 season include America; Africa and the Indian Ocean; Antarctica and the Chilean fjords; the Mediterranean; the Atlantic and the British Isles; the Arctic; Western Europe; Oceania; and Scandinavia with the Baltic Sea.

To support travel distribution partners, the media campaign is complemented by a comprehensive suite of sales tools and an early-booking incentive. Available via the AGENT COMPASS agency portal, materials include a 52-page brochure with a digital flip version, destination-focused video content, digital assets and social media templates, as well as detailed travel tips for selected sample cruises. These resources are designed for immediate use in customer consultations.

Selected Cruises from the Wave Season Campaign

In the Americas, the expedition ship HANSEATIC inspiration sails from Callao to Belém on a 19-day journey through South and Central America, including a daytime passage through the Panama Canal and calls in eight countries. Departing on 23 March 2027, the cruise combines jungle landscapes, coral reefs and cultural encounters.

In the Indian Ocean, MS EUROPA 2 explores island highlights from Mauritius to the Seychelles between 4 and 20 December 2026, with stops including Madagascar, Réunion and Zanzibar, offering a blend of natural beauty, wildlife encounters and refined comfort.

For polar exploration, HANSEATIC inspiration embarks on a 20-day Antarctic expedition from Ushuaia between 24 January and 13 February 2027, navigating through the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula, with Zodiac landings and expert-led wildlife observation.

In the South Pacific, HANSEATIC spirit connects Nouméa and Tahiti on a 17-day expedition from 22 March to 7 April 2027, visiting rarely travelled islands alongside iconic destinations such as Bora Bora, defined by turquoise lagoons and rich cultural encounters.

Closer to Europe, HANSEATIC nature offers a Northern Lights voyage along Norway’s coast from Hamburg between 26 October and 10 November 2026, timed to coincide with the start of the aurora season and complemented by winter activities and dramatic fjord scenery.

Arctic exploration continues with HANSEATIC spirit on a Northwest Greenland expedition in July, tracing Inuit culture and vast glacial landscapes through hikes, settlement visits and Zodiac excursions.

In Western Europe and the British Isles, MS EUROPA and MS EUROPA 2 present culturally rich summer itineraries, ranging from Ireland and the Scottish Highlands to routes connecting the Atlantic with the Mediterranean, as well as an Aegean journey linking Turkish coastal cities with Greek island highlights.

With the Wave Season 2026/27, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises once again positions early planning as the gateway to exceptional travel – combining foresight, exclusivity and carefully crafted experiences across the globe.

Image Credit: © Hapag-Lloyd Cruises