News of a very special kind from Hapag-Lloyd Cruises: on 3rd September 2007,
under the command of Captain Ulf Wolter, the HANSEATIC completed its crossing
of the legendary North West Passage. Over a total distance of 3,504 nautical
miles (approx. 6,489 km), the 162 passengers from eight nations and 125
crewmembers experienced one of the last adventures on the planet, with polar
bears being their constant companions. The vessel’s special construction to
the highest ice class rating (E4) means that the 5-star expedition ship can
plough through the Arctic ice independently.

Following the trail of the great adventurers has always had its special
attraction. Only a few cruise ships are among the vessels designed to traverse
difficult routes through ice. One of them is the HANSEATIC in the Hapag-Lloyd
fleet. Thanks to its highest ice class, the expedition ship has now made its
seventh successful crossing.

Excerpts from the captain’s log bear witness to a smooth expedition voyage,
which started on 15th August 2007 in Greenland. In sunny weather with little
wind, the passengers experienced a panorama of icebergs, glaciers and tundra
on deck and on the Zodiac excursions.

The first encounter with the king of the Arctic came during the crossing of
Baffin Bay: a polar bear welcomed the HANSEATIC on its ice platform,
entertaining the passengers for half an hour. Two dozen other polar bears
with seven cubs, a school of narwhales, geese and musk oxen made
wildlife-watching during the cruise an event all its own.

The HANSEATIC added its own milestone to the voyage through the legendary
North West Passage: the crossing of the Bellot Strait and a landing in Fort
Ross were not only among the most exciting destinations in terms of landscape,
but also marked a premiere for the expedition ship.

After 19 exhilarating days, the HANSEATIC reached Barrow, Alaska, on the
morning of 3rd September, thus successfully following the trail of Norwegian
explorer Roald Amundsen through the North West Passage.

If you are interested in cruising with Hapag-Lloyd, please call the team at
Save'n'Sail www.savensail.com  on 01253 341014.

This is a cruise blog entry by Phil