Europa 2
Fodor’s Expert Review
Ship Overview
Insider Take
Overview
A brand new build in 2012, Hapag Lloyd took over in April 2013. Eight restaurants, pool and spa.Read More
Best For People Who Want
A luxury cruise aimed primarily at the German speaking market.
Should Be Avoided By People Who Prefer
Multi-lingual or English speaking mainstream cruise ships with big shows and a focus on tropical cruises.
Decor
The interior concept follows current design trends and is a successful mixture of casual and stylish ambience with state-of-the-art technology. Hardly any other ship offers more space per guest as EUROPA 2 since, after all is said and done, well-being is also measured in square metres. For this reason it goes without saying that all the suites on board EUROPA 2 have a spacious veranda.
Life on board sets its own standards: more lifestyle and less cruise rituals contribute towards a more informal atmosphere. The low number of passengers of max. 516 guests and the crew/guest ratio that exceeds this figure ensure that exclusiveness and relaxation are guaranteed from the very first moment onwards.
Cuisine
When you think of an excellent dinner on the high sea, you usually imagine a formal atmosphere and evening wear. On the EUROPA 2 this idea has, however, been re-interpreted. The basic concept of the exquisite restaurants on board is pleasantly relaxed. No strict meal times, casual, but at the same time with its own style. And culinary delights of the best standard with lots of variety. From modern, sophisticated cuisine to multifaceted Asian highlights. Sometimes opulent, sometimes cuisine legere, sometimes fresh from the grill, sometimes rusticly inspired. The stylish ambience of the eight restaurants will fulfil your most delightful expectations.
Service
The low number of passengers of max. 516 guests and the crew/guest ratio that exceeds this figure ensure that exclusiveness and relaxation are guaranteed from the very first moment onwards.
Tipping
Included in the cruise fare.
Fitness/Spa
Whether massage or manicure – treatments are carried out by professional hands. Lomi Lomi, Pantai Luar and Abhyanga are but three of the numerous beneficial massage treatments offered in the OCEAN SPA including treatments developed specifically for the requirements of men’s demanding skin. Our own hairdressing facility on board also ensures that you feel comfortable from head to foot!
The principle of the sweat lodge has been known since ancient times. On the EUROPA 2 you can choose between four different saunas, a whirlpool, a Kneipp pool and an ice fountain. The possibilities range from a low-temperature herbal sauna via an organic sauna with temperatures of 50 – 60 C and the Finnish sauna in which temperatures of up to 90 C can be reached to the steam bath with a humidity of up to 100%.
Onboard Experience
Food onboard is supervised by Germany’s three-star Michelin chef, Dieter Muller, is one of the best – perhaps the best at sea.
Enrichment lectures in both German and English.
Entertainment that focuses on classical music and theater.
Restaurants
Restaurant Weltmeere – The largest restaurant on board is the Restaurant Weltmeere, which is located at the stern of the ship and is characterised by its spacious room concept. Design elements discreetly emphasise the features of the circular room – a successful balance between openness and cosiness. Here, our galley crew will give you their undivided attention. The culinary delights served range from international cuisine to vegetarian menus that are constantly changing and ensure newly interpreted surprises.
Restaurant Tarragon – The Tarragon with its dark pillars and benches upholstered in green is reminiscent of a charming brasserie in Paris. Here, a breath of Francophile savoir-vivre is in the air while French-oriented cuisine is served that is simple but refined in equal measure.
Restaurant Elements – The atmosphere in the Asian Restaurant Elements is inspired by the lifestyle of the eastern regions, a symbiosis of foreign cultures. Enjoy the great cuisines of Asia – traditional Chinese in accordance with the teachings of five-element cooking, fiery hot and light or unique; in any case fresh, exotic, easily digestible and always artistically arranged.
Restaurant Serenissima – The purist, elegant interior of the Serenissima Restaurant reflects the quality of the Italian cuisine: everything superfluous has been left away, the focus is on enjoyment. From antipasti to espresso – indulging like the Italians is a fine art. And the chefs of the Serenissima succeed in enchanting their guests with classical dishes and exciting interpretations of one of the most popular cuisines in the world time and time again. Treat your palate to Ligurian or Neapolitan delicacies in an absolutely top-class environment.
Yacht Club Restaurant – In the open Yacht Club Restaurant the sea breeze unites with the fine aroma of freshly prepared delicacies from the open cooking stations. What can the chef de cuisine recommend today? A view of the far horizon in any case, combined with delicious grilled specialities and culinary highlights from the buffet. In the Yacht Club Restaurant you can compile your menu yourself – exactly to suit your taste – and if you wish, you can enjoy all this in the open air.
Sushi Restaurant Sakura – The Sushi Restaurant Sakura awaits its guests with modern design and imperial touches. Here, the sushi master will prepare excellent nigiris, makis, sashimis, Californian-style inside-out rolls and delicious fish specialities.
Speisezimmer – Would you like to dine in a private atmosphere on the EUROPA 2 or celebrate a special occasion in fitting style with friends or family? Our recommendation – the Dining Room (available at a surcharge) with a maritime atmosphere offers you the appropriate surroundings. In addition, occasional receptions by invitation of our officers are held here, too.
Entertainment
Famous guest artists and stage shows that are produced by renowned producers, directors and choreographers exclusively for the EUROPA 2. State-of-the-art stage technology, a huge LED screen.
Pop, swing & dance, Latin, soul & jazz, singer/songwriter or classical music – the company claims all artists are some of the best in their class whether they write books, stand in front of the camera or behind the microphone. Names include: Michael Nagy and Viktoria Tolstoy, suspenseful readings with Donna Leon, amusing diversion with Cordula Stratmann and exclusive concerts by Kim Wilde and Nils Wulker.
The on-board band repertoire ranges from jazz to pop. Enjoy the talents of reputable musicians in the Jazz Club, from soul via jazz to Latin-American rhythms, or listen to demanding readings by famous actors and actresses as well as authors. Celebrate stylish party nights in the Sansibar or on the pool deck, or daydream while listening to the soft piano-playing in the Atrium. Look forward to unforgettable cinema evenings in the on-board 3D cinema and in the open air or let yourself be inspired by indulgent cookery courses in the cookery school with starred chefs. Attend the previews of exhibitions of contemporary artists on board, or train your laughing muscles with entertaining but intelligent comedy programmes.
And with the entertainment concept of the EUROPA 2 you can also enjoy every freedom with regard to the planning of your individual daytime or evening programme. Because the diverse and entertaining events sometimes start at staggered times, thus enabling you to decide for yourself when your evening begins or how long you wish to indulge in the delicacies of the gourmet cuisine. You know that an unforgettable experience is always waiting for you on the ship.
The EUROPA 2 Cooking School – Gourmets can hone their cooking skills on the EUROPA 2 under the guidance of our Tarragon chef. The classroom corresponds to the level of the skill being taught there: The chefs will entertain you in the kitchen of the EUROPA 2 equipped with high-quality MIELE appliances as they teach you how to conjure up cuisine and creatively present it on the table. Devote yourself to the fascinating topic of culinary enjoyment in complete calm on the EUROPA 2.
Cabins
No matter which type of suite you choose, your personal domicile at sea offers you many amenities:
Ample space for your personal freedom.
All verandas are at least 7 square meters in size and offer breathtaking ocean views.
Suite sizes from comfortable 28 square meters to exclusive 99 square meters.
An optically separate and inviting living area.
Well-conceived, top-quality fittings to enhance your well-being.
High-class contemporary art.
24-hour suite service.
Champagne to welcome you to your suite.
State-of-the-art technology (flat-screen TV, Wi-Fi, tablet PC and portable telephones).
A Nespresso machine – for your first coffee of the morning.
Ship Overview
The ms Europa 2 is the newest ship in the Hamburg-based Hapag-Lloyd Cruises fleet—having entered service in May 2013. The all-suite, all-balcony luxury ship holds a maximum of 516 passengers and 370 very dedicated bilingual crewmembers. When it entered service, the ship had the highest space per passenger ratio of all any ship sailing. As the Europa 2 makes its way around the world, passengers can book a segment for as few as seven nights up to as many as nights they want—or can afford. This ship is not for those on a strict, limited budget.
Great effort is being made to market Europa 2 to the English-speaking market: all onboard announcements and printed materials are in both English and German, and all crews are bilingual. Due to its compact size the Europa 2 has the ability to call at smaller ports (as well as the large ones) that might be off the beaten sea lanes. The ship offers eight dining venues—including three internationally themed restaurants: Italian, French and Asian—as well as the aft Yacht Club, which offers sumptuous buffets at breakfast and lunch. There is also a very popular waffle stand adjacent to the pool, which can add a few calories to the trip. However, the added pounds can always be burned off in the large, well-appointed gym and spa. A theater provides nightly entertainment featuring a roster of international performers. A highly dedicated team helps passengers book custom excursions when the ship pulls into port.
Relaxed/casual is the vibe onboard. There are no black-tie dinners or toga nights. Men can wear nice pants and collared shirts to dinner, with perhaps a blazer. Women can wear casual chic outfits and feel completely comfortable.
Hamburg-based Hapag-Lloyd Cruises comprises two luxury ships (Europa and the Europa 2), one upscale ship (Columbus 2), and two expedition ships (the luxury ship Hanseatic and the upscale Bremen). Catering to a largely German speaking clientele, the company is working to attract more English-speaking passengers on the line’s newest ship, Europa 2. All officers and staff are bilingual, as are all onboard announcements and printed materials. The all-suite Europa and Europa 2 offer the largest space-per-passenger ratio of any ships currently sailing. Further, all cabins on the Europa 2, which entered service in May 2013, have balconies. Only Columbus 2 carries more than 520 passengers; its capacity is 698.
This small fleet calls at ports on all seven continents, with itineraries as short as seven nights and up to as many nights as one could imagine. Some passengers have taken up virtual residency on the luxury liners, attracted to the relaxed atmosphere (there are no black-tie dinners or toga nights), excellent food in a variety of international dining venues, and variety of ports of call accessible only to smaller ships. There are extensive programs for young children as well as teens, and a variety of activities for all ages both onboard and ashore. The Hapag-Lloyd non-expedition ships circle the globe, and passengers can join as they wish, joining any available itinerary segments. Not so with the expedition ships, where passengers must sign on for the whole itinerary. With over 100 years in the cruising industry, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is carving out quite a nice little luxurious niche for itself—all around the world.
- 10 passenger decks
- 7 restaurants
- buffet
- ice cream parlor
- Wi-Fi
- safe
- refrigerator
- 1 pool
- Fitness classes
- gym
- hair salon
- 1 hot tub
- sauna
- spa
- steam room
- 6 bars
- library
- showroom
- Children’s programs
- Dry-cleaning
- laundry service
- Wi-Fi
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
What to expect on board
Staterooms & Cabins
251 suites range in size from 301 to 1,066 square feet. All feature European-style single beds that can be put together to make king-size beds, cotton linens, air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, portable phones, Internet access (there is a fee for this), separate sitting areas, tablet PCs, and minibars (contents—beer, sodas, and bottles of water—are complimentary). Large balconies have room for lounges, tables, and chairs from which to watch the world pass by. There is also ample closet and storage space. Decor is subdued, in neutral earth tones, so as not to draw too much attention from the world passing by your balcony.
Bathrooms feel larger that many New York City apartments. They include full-size jetted tubs, separate rain showers (which also convert to steam saunas), double sinks with ample counter space, and a separate area for an additional sink and toilets. Portable hair dryers are included in the suites along with custom Europa 2 toiletries.
Three suites are fully accessible. In general, the ship has wide corridors on all passenger decks and wide elevator doors, which never seem to be crowded.
Food & Drink
Cruisers who feel luxury dining must include lobster, truffles, and foie gras will feel right at home on Europa 2. There are eight dining venues onboard, including three internationally themed restaurants (serving Italian, French, and Asian cuisines), all of which require reservations. Buffets are offered in the aft Yacht Club, which has indoor and outdoor seating at breakfast and lunch as well as an ice cream bar; sushi is also served here in a dedicated area during the evening. A very popular waffle stand opens in the afternoon adjacent to the pool. There are no surcharges for any of the restaurants or food served on Europa 2, but there is a charge for cocktails, wines, beer, sodas, and bottled water in the dining and drinking venue.
Entertainment
Six bars dot the shipscape, including a cigar bar that sells Cubans. There is a charge for cocktails, wine, beer, soft drinks, and bottled water at bars and restaurants, but the contents of the well- stocked minibars are complimentary.
Spa & Fitness
A large spa with eight treatment rooms and a modern fitness center offering expert personal trainers accommodate passengers. Choose from a variety of massages and therapies such as Ayurveda, hot stones, thalasso, and shiatsu, to exotic treatments such as Hawaiian lomilomi. The spa has four saunas, a hammam, an ice wall, a Kneipp pool, and a whirlpool. A couples massage as the ship glides out of port is a relaxing and romantic way to see the world. You’ll rarely wait for a machine in the gym.