Hapag-Lloyd Cruises commissions the Cruise Company and EVENT SERVICE RS as agency partners to design and stage the launch ceremonies of its new expedition class vessels.
Originally, a grand christening ceremony for the HANSEATIC nature is planned to take place at Hamburg's Overseas bridge. Due to delayed completion of the ship, it turns out that the event cannot go ahead as planned. After coordinating with the agencies, Hapag-Lloyd's Board decides at short notice to stage a smaller-scale event as a mark of respect and appreciation for the co-workers and the crew of this new arrival to the company's cruise fleet.
Right upon arriving the co-workers, invited by boarding pass, delve into the exciting world of the new expedition ships of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises: dressed in their personal expedition parka they visit, individually and at their own pace, the HANSEATIC nature and receive detailed explanations about its striking highlights from knowledgeable staff – this is their opportunity to experience first-hand and without any obligation the high quality standards of the company.
The christening ceremony is staged in the same laid-back atmosphere, at the pier in front of the ship. Again, the focus is on the staff: Lutz Deyhle is a charming facilitator who kicks off a coached song performance, with the co-workers making up the first in-house shanty choir. And when the CEO in his speech jokes about his good relations with the higher authorities and his appeal for expedition weather, every guest truly feels part of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises and the sense of eager anticipation to travel on the HANSEATIC nature is tangible in the audience.
The very moving christening is led by the ship's godmother Isolde Susset, head of Hapag-Lloyd's expedition cruises and tourism. With the time-honoured words "I name you HANSEATIC nature" and a spirited stroke of the axe, she breaks a symbolic bottle-head shaped from ice which reveals a ship model and triggers a mechanism that smashes the real bottle against the ship's bow. The co-workers have their christening cocktails ready to toast this great moment and enjoy the action-packed "Fire and Ice" show presented by Hamburg Cheerleaders (HSC), in line with the varied destinations the expedition ship will be heading for. A delicious christening dinner followed by a party on the pool deck round off this unique event.
