Vard's Romanian shipyard has conducted the keel-laying ceremony for Hanseatic Inspiration.
The second of the expedition cruise ships being built for Hapag-Lloyd Cruises at Tulcea, the hull of Hanseatic Inspiration will be towed to the Langsten shipyard in Norway for final outfitting and commissioning.
Both are built to the highest ice class for passenger ships, although they will also operate in tropical waters.
The maiden voyage for Hanseatic Inspiration, which will accommodate up to 230 guests, is scheduled for October 2019.
It will feature a retractable bridge wing, which allows the ship to pass through narrow locks.