According to reports in German media, Hansa Touristik is preparing to restart its cruise operations using the former Minerva in 2025.

The company previously halted its oceangoing activities in 2023 when its sole ship, the chartered Ocean Majesty, was converted into floating accommodation for asylum seekers in the Netherlands.

Hansa could now be making a comeback by utilizing the former Minerva, which has been laid up in Greece for several years, as reported by Schiff und Kreuzfahrten.

The recent report revealed that a cruise aboard the 350-guest vessel was recently featured on Hansa’s website.

The nine-night itinerary started in Bremerhaven and included visits to various destinations on the English Channel before arriving in Kiel via the Kiel Canal.

The cruise was not available for booking and has since been removed from the company’s website, which is undergoing updates. More sailings for 2025, however, are expected to go online soon, Schiff und Kreuzfahrten said.

Last owned by All Leisure Group, the Minerva has been out of cruise service since early 2017.

Formerly operated by the group’s Swan Hellenic brand, the ship was built using the hull of a former research ship and first debuted in 1996.

At 12,000 tons, the vessel is capable of coastal cruising and visiting smaller destinations, which makes it an ideal choice for Hansa’s operations, according to Schiff und Kreuzfahrten.

The website also stated that the ship is scheduled to undergo significant refurbishment in 2024 to prepare for its resumption of operations.

In addition to its oceangoing cruises, Hansa also operates river cruises with a fleet of three riverboats that sail on the Douro, Rheine, Moselle, Danube and other rivers.

Prior to ceasing its ocean-going cruise operations in 2023, the company offered summer programs aboard the Ocean Majesty.

The 1966-built ship was chartered by Hansa for itineraries across Northern Europe, the Atlantic and the Mediterranean.