Luxury and expedition cruise operator Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has joined Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) as a Regional Member in Australasia, elevating its brand within CLIA’s growing community of travel agents, cruise lines and industry partners.
The membership elevates 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 said the cruise line had set a course for the Australian and New Zealand markets, returning with renewed strength and ambition.
“CLIA membership offers an excellent platform to connect with the region’s travel trade and CLIA community,” Johic said. “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.”
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises operates luxury ships MS EUROPA and MS EUROPA 2, which are complemented by the new expedition class consisting of HANSEATIC nature, HANSEATIC inspiration and HANSEATIC spirit. All five ships in the fleet are the only ones to have been awarded the highest rating of five stars by Insight Guides Cruising & Cruise Ships 2025. The brand has entered 2025 with a comprehensively revised brand identity focused on the individual guest experience. Since 2020, the Hapag-Lloyd Cruises brand has been part of TUI Cruises GmbH, a CLIA global cruise line member.
