Hanseatic Spirit Visits Ipswich on Expedition Voyage

The Hapag-Lloyd Cruises expedition vessel Hanseatic Spirit visited the Port of Ipswich on October 3, 2026. The call was part of a 13-night voyage from Reykjavik, Iceland, to Hamburg, Germany, which began on September 24 and concluded on October 7.

Under the command of Captain Claas Fischer, the ship stopped in Ipswich for several hours. Before arriving, it had called at the Scottish ports of Lerwick, Kirkwall, and Invergordon. On the morning of October 3, it passed the Port of Felixstowe around 9:30 am and navigated under the Orwell Bridge by approximately 10:40 am, drawing attention from Suffolk residents who stopped to photograph the rare sight of a large cruise ship on the River Orwell.

Ship’s ice-class build and expedition capabilities

Hanseatic Spirit is a purpose-built expedition ship constructed in 2021. It is rated to the highest passenger vessel ice class, PC6, enabling voyages from polar regions to the Amazon. The ship is one of three sister vessels and accommodates up to 230 guests.

An expert expedition team of up to 16 specialists, including biologists, glaciologists, historians, and geologists, accompanies the ship on its itineraries. This team provides in-depth knowledge and guidance during explorations.

Ipswich call includes walking tour and historic river passage

The visit highlighted Ipswich's historic waterfront, located less than a mile from the town centre at the head of the River Orwell. During the call, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises provided passengers with a city walking tour to explore the town's rich history. Ipswich was a major medieval trading port with strong historical links to the Hanseatic League.

The passage along the river offered views of the working port, which handles more than two million tonnes of cargo annually and is the UK's leading grain export port. The family-run Orwell River Cruises, which operates regular public trips on the Orwell Lady, shares these waters, though large cruise ships are an uncommon sight.

ABP’s role and broader cruise impact in UK ports

The visit was facilitated by Associated British Ports. Neal Birkett, Commercial and Agency Manager at ABP, met Captain Fischer during the call. Paul Ager serves as ABP's divisional port manager for the East Coast.

ABP operates several UK ports that receive cruise vessels, including Southampton, Swansea, Plymouth, and Barrow. The company's wider work supports cruise opportunities across its network. Cruise tourism is recognized for contributing to local and regional economies, supporting businesses in hospitality, retail, and transport. This aligns with the UK Cruise Growth Plan published by the Department for Transport in 2025.

The ship departed Ipswich and continued its journey to Hamburg, Germany, where the voyage ended on October 7, 2026.