A fantastic, wonderful, trip. Hanseatic is a superb ship -- beautiful cabins, wonderful food, impeccable service -- lots of warm woods, expensive wools and silks, and brass. Its Antarctic voyages are handled with great expertise and efficiency. The ship is surprisingly luxurious for an expedition vessel, but it goes everywhere. Zodiac landings are a major feature of the cruise, and all were very well executed by the crew. Antarctica is not for everyone, but there is no better way to see it than from the Hanseatic. It is far from inexpensive, but worth every penny that one pays.
Although Hanseatic is only a 9,000 ton ship (making it smaller than Seabourn ships, but larger than the Sea Goddesses), it seems very spacious because of the high proportion of public rooms. The Observation Lounge at the front of the shop, up top, is a great place to sit and watch the incredible scenery -- it is finished in high quality walnut panelling, with huge windows. The Marco Polo Dining Room is a beautiful room, and the Columbus Lounge (informal dining room) is a bright and cheerful place to eat breakfast and lunch. In Antarctica the pool (for obvious reasons!) was empty, and, thank God, there is no casino. There is a small gym, a sauna and a little chapel |