Hapag-Lloyd Cruises to Launch New Ship, Charter Another

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises' Bremen, shown here in Antarctica.

The line plans to expand its fleet, adding two ships over the next

two years.

Photo courtesy of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises

Exciting news yesterday out of Germany: Hamburg-based Hapag-Lloyd Cruises plans to construct a brand-new, ultra-luxury vessel to be named EUROPA 2.  In addition, the line will expand its premium offerings by performing a bare-boat charter of Oceania Cruises' Insignia beginning in April, 2012.  That ship will be re-christened COLUMBUS 2.

Not only is this excellent news for fans of the German line, it is also an interesting arrangement.  EUROPA 2, which will compliment the line's existing 1999-built EUROPA, will actually be acquired by a third-party company outside of Hapag-Lloyd and the TUI group.  It will be chartered back to Hapag-Lloyd Cruises for a period of twelve years, beginning at the time of its launch in 2013.  STX France (formerly Chantiers de l'Atlantique in St.-Nazaire) will construct the vessel, who's exact particulars have not yet been released.

Oceania Cruises' Insignia, soon to be Hapag-Lloyd's

COLUMBUS 2.

Photo courtesy of Oceania Cruises 

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises announced it has also entered into an agreement to charter Oceania Cruises 1998-built Insignia in order to expand its premium product offerings.  Renamed COLUMBUS 2, Insignia has been chartered to Hapag-Lloyd Cruises for a period of two years beginning in 2012.  No word yet on if the ship will be refitted in any way before entering service with the German line.

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises currently has a fleet of four ships, and specialises in ultra-luxury voyages in addition to luxury and premium expedition cruising, serving destinations like Antarctica and the Northwest Passage.  The line hopes these two latest acquisitions will allow the line to expand its already diverse itinerary offerings to appeal to a broad passenger base.

We'll keep you updated on these exciting developments as more details emerge.

Curious about Hapag-Lloyd Cruises?  Why not visit their website or check our our 2011 Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Preview we wrote back in December?