HAPAG-LLOYD CRUISES' BREMEN PASSES THROUGH THE LEGENDARY NORTHWEST PASSAGE

The Only Cruise Ships In the World to Offer This Itinerary in 2009

New York, NY - Under the command of Captain Ulf Wolter, Hapag-Lloyd's expedition ship MS BREMEN has completed its crossing of the Northwest Passage. On September 1, 2008, the BREMEN docked in Point Barrow, Alaska, at the western end of the legendary sea route, ending its crossing of the passage. The 142 passengers experienced one of the last great adventures on the planet, traveling over 4,000 nautical miles (approx. 4,603 miles). The vessel holds the highest ice class rating (E4), which allows the 4-star  expedition ship access through the Arctic ice independently.

Excerpts from the captain's log affirm a smooth voyage, which started on August 12, 2008, in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. On a largely quiet sea, with good visibility, the passengers on deck and on the Zodiac excursions experienced a panorama of icebergs, glaciers and tundra.

The first polar bears were sighted early in the voyage in Dundas Harbour, an abandoned settlement on Devon Island. Moving westward, these "Kings of the Arctic" were encountered almost every day. Narwhals, musk oxen, polar foxes and flocks of seabirds, also made the cruise a true adventure. Besides wildlife observations, the journey also followed the trails of historic expeditions and everyday Arctic life in small Inuit settlements. After 25 exciting days, the BREMEN reached Nome, Alaska on September 6, where it ended its voyage.

The BREMEN and HANSEATIC, the two expedition ships in the Hapag-Lloyd Cruises fleet, takes turns crossing the Northwest Passage every other year, and are among the few ships to travel this route.   In August 2009, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises will exclusively offer the only Northwest Passage cruise ship itineraries on the HANSEATIC and her sister ship the BREMEN. For the first time in Hapag-Lloyd Cruises history both ships will meet in the Northwest Passage, traveling in opposite directions – the BREMEN from Greenland and the HANSEATIC from Alaska. If conditions are ideal, the ships will meet at the halfway point and celebrate an icy beach party and reciprocal visits on board.   The HANSEATIC'S and the BREMEN'S itineraries will be fully bilingual.