Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Turns Expeditions into Classrooms for Young Explorers - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

Icebergs drifting past a Zodiac, plankton moving beneath a microscope and the sudden appearance of a whale turn science into something tangible. With its Young Explorers programme, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises offers children and teenagers aged 10 to 17 an educational component on selected expedition cruises, combining scientific topics with first-hand experiences in some of the world’s remote regions.

Current voyages to Iceland, Svalbard and Greenland provide particularly vivid settings. Instead of following a rigid schedule, the expedition ships adapt their routes to weather, ice conditions and official permits. Zodiac excursions, hikes and wildlife observations become opportunities to understand the Arctic environment rather than simply observe it.

Glaciers and whales replace classroom theory

Young Explorers sail aboard the HANSEATIC nature, HANSEATIC inspiration and HANSEATIC spirit, where expedition experts introduce them to subjects ranging from glaciology and marine biology to climate and polar ecosystems.

Glaciologist Benjamin Schröter is among the experts accompanying young guests. His approach centres on direct observation and encouraging children to ask their own questions.

“Children want to experience things for themselves. When they see a glacier or spot a whale for the first time, these experiences stay with them forever,” says Schröter. “When, at the end of the day, a child says, ‘That was the best day of my life,’ then I know why I do this job.”

Plankton under the microscope and expeditions ashore

Activities vary according to the destination and conditions. At the Ocean Academy, participants may examine plankton under a microscope, while other days take them ashore for exploration or behind the scenes of the expedition ship.

In Greenland, hikes introduce young travellers to Arctic landscapes, while Zodiac trips can bring them close to icebergs and coastal habitats. Encounters with walruses, seals and whales add an unpredictable element, with nature itself determining what can be observed.

The programme also introduces questions surrounding glaciers, changing polar environments and the protection of sensitive ecosystems. It takes place when at least five young guests are travelling.

“The core of every expedition is curiosity: the willingness to ask questions and see the world through different eyes. Anyone who experiences just how fascinating and worthy of protection our natural world is at an early age will carry this awareness with them,” says Isolde Susset, Managing Director Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.

19 Young Explorers voyages through 2028

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises currently offers 19 Young Explorers voyages during school holidays through the end of 2028. The programme extends well beyond the high Arctic and includes both cold- and warm-water destinations.

Options range from Northern Lights voyages in Norway and expeditions around Svalbard to Newfoundland and the St. Lawrence River. The Azores are also included in the programme.

The concept combines activities specifically designed for younger travellers with the expedition programme available to adults. Beyond the educational component, the cruise line says the shared experiences frequently result in friendships among participants that continue after the voyage.

Svalbard circumnavigation planned for summer 2027

One example is a ten-day Svalbard expedition aboard the HANSEATIC nature from Tromsø to Longyearbyen, scheduled for 12 to 22 July 2027. The flexible itinerary takes guests through fjords and glacial landscapes, with Zodiac excursions offering opportunities to observe walruses and seals.

Experts accompany the voyage with insights into geology, climate and polar research. Whether the ship can complete a full circumnavigation of Svalbard depends on the weather and prevailing ice conditions.

The voyage is currently offered in the PLATINUM fare from €32,240 for two adults and one Young Explorer, including charter flights and an early-booking discount valid until 31 October 2026.

For younger passengers, however, the central idea goes beyond reaching a particular destination. The expedition itself becomes the lesson, with ice, oceans and wildlife providing a classroom that changes from one day to the next.

Image Credit: © AI generated illustration with material courtesy of Benjamin Schröter via Hapag-Lloyd