Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Reviews - 5

If you're planning a cruise around Svalbard

If you're planning a cruise around Svalbard, Hapag-Lloyd is worth considering. We experienced wonderful views, and the ship offered a smooth and enjoyable journey. I was initially concerened about language, since this is a German cruise line, but announcements were provided in both German and English. There were also many English-speaking passengers, which made it easy to find zodiacs where only English was spoken. Though the price was higher than the usual cruises we take, it felt fair compared to similar cruises, and the accommodations matched what we hoped for. During our journey, we spotted polar bears, several walrus, and even a blue whale – an amazing sight!

My wife and I both had fathers from Germany

My wife and I both had fathers from Germany, but we don't speak German. This was generally a good thing on this cruise: the Captain gave his daily updates in German first, then in English; most of the crew spoke decent to good English, as did most of the other passengers, and we never heard anything in English unless it was directed at us. It was a smooth, relaxing experience.

As American English-speaking first timers on Hapag-Lloyd

As American English-speaking first timers on Hapag-Lloyd, we picked this cruise to explore the famous line (known for its long and rich history, similar to Cunard), and to experience a smaller upscale ship with a unique German atmosphere. We were not disapointed. It was a lovely overall cruise experience.

Firstly, I must mention the ship is very nice.

Firstly, I must mention the ship is very nice. The decor is pleasant, and the rooms are spacious and well-organized. It might be smaller than Seaboard and Silversea but it still stands out. The balconies are large, and even though I wasn't sure I'd use mine on an Antarctic cruise, I found myself using it every time a beautiful view appeared.

This is a well-designed small luxury expedition ship

This is a well-designed small luxury expedition ship (with luxury pricing). Some minor hickups with technical support and service did occur, which was unusual for my past travels on Hapag Lloyd (HL) ships. Therefore, I rate it 4/5 instead of 5/5 overall.