Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has joined Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) as a Regional Member in Australasia, as it homes in on the local market.
The membership will elevate Hapag-Lloyd Cruises among CLIA’s 6,000 travel agents in Australia and New Zealand, while at the same time representing its interests among policymakers, authorities and other institutions. It joins more than 40 cruise brands represented by CLIA in this region.
CLIA Managing Director in Australasia Joel Katz said Hapag-Lloyd Cruises had joined at a time of surging interest in luxury travel and expedition cruises.
“Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ operations span some of the most dynamic areas of cruising right now, meeting a growing demand for luxury cruises and expedition voyages,” Katz said. “It is a pleasure to welcome Hapag-Lloyd Cruises to the CLIA community, particularly as increasing numbers of Australians and New Zealanders look to explore extraordinary destinations in comfort.”
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Director Sales Elvir Johic highlighted CLIA membership as an “excellent platform” to connect with the region’s travel trade and CLIA community.
Subscribe to LATTE Cruise’s free eNewsletter to keep up to date with everything in the luxury cruise space.“It allows us to showcase our unique blend of luxury and expedition cruising, and we look forward to inspiring more guests to discover the world with us – off the beaten track and in high-class comfort,” he said.
New Antarctic program
Meanwhile, the cruise line has also unveiled its 2025/2026 Antarctic season, marked by a landmark 22-day expedition into the rarely visited Weddell Sea which it described as “a first in the company’s history.” The voyage aboard HANSEATIC spirit will see guests retrace Shackleton’s legendary 1915 Endurance route and visit historic sites like Paulet and Devil Islands.
Other offerings include a unique combination of the Patagonian fjords and Antarctic wilderness. “These voyages invite reflection, discovery, and a deep connection to nature’s most awe-inspiring frontiers,” Managing Director Isolde Susset said.
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises operates luxury ships MS EUROPA and MS EUROPA 2, alongside its newer expedition class consisting of HANSEATIC nature, HANSEATIC inspiration and HANSEATIC spirit.
The brand has entered 2025 with a comprehensively revised brand identity focused on the individual guest experience, as highlighted in its new spring campaign.
