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EXPEDITION MARKET
The average daily rate on a Hapag-Lloyd Cruises voyage
was a record 594 euro in 2017, up 2.6 percent from the year
prior and heading toward 600 euro or more for 2018. Two
new expedition ships are joining the fleet in 2019.
“Our increase has been steady over the last two or three
years,” said Karl J. Pojer, CEO. “We are seeing that our cli-
ents are ready to pay for a quality experience.
“Our 2018 (fiscal) year started in October and we are see-
ing another increase in rates for the first quarter. It’s over a ropa 2 positioned for the international market.
mix of cabin types,” Pojer added, in a January interview.
Revenue year-over-year (2016 to 2017) increased 15.9 per-
cent to 312.6 million euro, according to TUI Group, which
has also credited Pojer with the turnaround effort.
Since taking over leadership of the company in 2013 Po-
jer said the average booking window then was around six
months, and that has now extended to eight months.
“If you don’t book early with us it may not be so easy to
get aboard,” he added.
Hapag-Lloyd’s new
pair of 230-passenger
expedition vessels
launch in 2019.
46 Cruise Industry News: 2018 Expedition Market Report
HAPAG-LLOYD CRUISES
Record Rates
“The new ships will succeed in
combining the requirements of modern
expedition passengers with the comfort
standards of customers from the luxury
segment. This will allow us to tap into
new customers for expeditions.”
Karl Pojer, CEO
Better yet, Pojer said 2017 also saw the highest guest satis-
faction and quality ratings.
“If you want to be on top, you have to deliver quality,” he
continued.
Fleet Mix
The company offers two ships in the ultra-luxury space
with the Europa catering to the German market and the Eu-
The big news is in the luxury expedition space. The Han-
seatic will leave the fleet this October, and two new ships, the
Hanseatic Nature and Hanseatic Inspiration, a pair of 230-pas-
senger, VARD-built ships, will join next April and October,
respectively. The Nature will be for German-speaking guests
while the Inspiration will serve international markets.
The Bremen will stay in operation, offering an alternative
four-star product to German-speaking markets, Pojer said,
adding that the ship had a 70 percent repeat passenger rate