Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is expanding its Great Lakes cruise program for 2027 with two new itineraries aboard the expedition ship HANSEATIC inspiration that will connect all five Great Lakes with the St. Lawrence River.

The new voyages, scheduled for late August and September 2027, replace three shorter cruises that had previously been planned for the region. The additions will complement existing Great Lakes departures in August and October, creating a program of four cruises ranging from 19 to 21 days.

According to the company, the revised schedule was developed following guest feedback and growing demand for longer expedition experiences in the Great Lakes region.

The Great Lakes present unique operational challenges for cruise vessels because of narrow waterways, shallow sections and multiple lock passages connecting the lakes and the St. Lawrence River. HANSEATIC inspiration was designed to navigate these conditions, featuring retractable bridge wings, a shallow draft and a narrow profile that allow it to transit confined waterways and locks.

The vessel accommodates up to 230 guests and is among a limited number of cruise ships capable of operating throughout the Great Lakes system. One of the most technically demanding sections of the route is the Welland Canal, which links Lake Ontario and Lake Erie through eight locks and nearly 100 meters of elevation change.

The new itineraries also expand the geographic scope of the company’s Great Lakes offerings. In addition to visiting all five lakes, the cruises include destinations along the St. Lawrence River, including Montreal, Quebec and Tadoussac.

The first new itinerary, Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River: Five Lakes, One Great Expedition Adventure (INS2730), departs Milwaukee on Aug. 20, 2027, and arrives in Halifax on Sept. 10. The 21-day voyage includes Mackinac Island, Lake Superior, Georgian Bay, Toronto, Montreal, Quebec, Tadoussac, Gaspe and the Iles de la Madeleine.

The second new itinerary, Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River: From the Atlantic to the Great Lakes (INS2731), operates in reverse, sailing from Halifax to Milwaukee from Sept. 10 to Oct. 1, 2027. The voyage includes Prince Edward Island, the Iles de la Madeleine, Quebec, the St. Lawrence River, the Welland Canal, Lake Huron and Lake Superior.

The cruises emphasize both natural and cultural experiences. Planned highlights include Zodiac excursions in remote coastal areas, hiking opportunities in destinations such as Terrace Bay and Killarney, exploration of Georgian Bay’s extensive archipelago and whale-watching opportunities near Tadoussac, where the Saguenay Fjord meets the St. Lawrence River.

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises will continue to operate its previously announced Great Lakes itinerary from Toronto to Milwaukee in August 2027 and a Milwaukee-to-Halifax voyage in October 2027.

The company said guests who had already booked the three canceled shorter itineraries were notified and offered rebooking options for the new sailings.

Looking ahead, HANSEATIC inspiration is scheduled to return to the Great Lakes in 2028 during repositioning voyages between the Arctic and Antarctica seasons.