HANSEATIC inspiration: round-the-world sailor Laura Dekker is the godmother of the new expedition ship

• Expedition naming ceremony on 11 October 2019 in the Port of Hamburg
• Spectacular naming ceremony in true expedition style
• Hapag-Lloyd Cruises supports the Laura Dekker World Sailing Foundation

On Friday, 11 October, 2019 in the Port of Hamburg, Laura Dekker will name the HANSEATIC inspiration, which is the second of the three, new expedition ships belonging to the Hapag-Lloyd Cruises' fleet. The passionate sailor rose to fame by sailing solo around the world between 2010 and 2012. The exceptional naming ceremony, in true expedition style, will be hosted by science journalist Ranga Yogeshwar.

'Laura Dekker is the perfect godmother for our new, international, expedition ship. With her enthusiasm for nature, her spirit of adventure and her love of the sea, she represents the very essence of expedition cruises,' says Karl J. Pojer, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. 'We wholeheartedly support the Laura Dekker World Sailing Foundation.'

Laura Dekker says: 'I have sailed more than 50,000 nautical miles and I am continuing to clock up more. I am a motivational speaker, author, world traveller, professional yacht skipper and am still chasing my dreams. I want to pass this spirit on to young people through my sailing project and to motivate and encourage them.'

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has organised a special ceremony for the naming of the HANSEATIC inspiration, which will take place on the water, as well as on and around the new ship. The invited guests will embark on a real and virtual expedition cruise and will follow the naming ceremony live on the water from Zodiacs. Launches will be available for those who find the expedition rubber boats a little on the adventurous side. The ceremony will see the ship itself become a stage.

The HANSEATIC inspiration offers 5-star service with around 175 crew members looking after a maximum of 230 guests - or just 199 guests on Antarctic cruises and circumnavigations of Spitsbergen. The ship has the highest ice class for passenger ships (PC6) and is fitted with cutting-edge equipment and environmental technology such as cold ironing and an SCR catalytic converter. From July 2020, the entire Hapag-Lloyd Cruises' expedition fleet will use low-pollutant marine gas oil fuel worldwide on all routes.