 |
| Europa 2 - Hapag-Lloyd's New Europa |
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ new Europa 2 will take to the high seas in May
2013 and promises to set new luxury standards on the worldwide
oceans. Her maiden voyage will take place from May 11-25, 2013 from
Hamburg to Lisbon. The ship is currently being built at the shipyard
STX Europe in Saint-Nazaire, France.
The newly built addition to the fleet will feature eleven decks,
all-suites with their own outdoor verandas, and the largest space per
passenger ratio in the cruise industry.
The Europa 2 will be positioned as the modern, lifestyle-oriented
sister ship of the world’s only 5-star-plus ship, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’
MS Europa, and will cater to a sophisticated, international, and
cosmopolitan target group. In order to meet the requirements of these
guests, all of the cruises of the Europa 2 will be international,
meaning they will be conducted in both German and English for the
duration of all cruises.
“We are breaking new ground with the
Europa 2. She will represent a modern and casual interpretation of
luxury cruises in terms of her architecture, her restaurants and her
entertainment program,” said Sebastian Ahrens, Managing Director of
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.
 |
| Side View Hapag-Lloyd's New Europa 2 |
“The Europa 2 will offer an international atmosphere
for sophisticated, cosmopolitan customers who still have very demanding
professional lives and are looking for the greatest possible degree of
individuality in their spare time. We have therefore consciously decided
to do without cruise traditions such as the Captain’s Dinner.”
“The ship will be positioned internationally, English-speaking guests
will feel comfortable on every cruise on the Europa 2. Most of the
entertainment on-board, does not rely on language. The on-board
announcements will generally be reduced to a minimum and made in German
and English at all times,” added Ahrens.
Flexibility and
individuality will be found in every detail from entertainment to
gourmet cuisine onboard the Europa 2. The routes of the Europa 2 will be
geared towards working people and families, with one-week itineraries
offered. Personalized service will be heightened, with more than 370
staff members for a maximum of 516 guests, as well as butler and travel
concierge services offering unsurpassable quality when it comes to
catering to the needs of guests.
New standards will also be set with regards to environmental
protection - the Europa 2 is the first cruise ship equipped with
catalysts (SCR = process of Selective Catalytic Reduction), which reduce
the emission of nitrogen oxides by almost 95 percent.
Shorter Routes, Ideal for Working People and Families
With 7-day combinable cruises to the Mediterranean in the summer months
and 13-20 day combination cruises to faraway destinations in the
winter, the Europa 2 will meet the requirements of working people and
families with limited vacation time. The ship will call at a total of
123 ports, with 26 different itineraries in 2013. The cruises will take
guests to the Western and Eastern Mediterranean and to the
Arabian Peninsula, as well as Southeast Asia. The size of the ship is a
major advantage – with a length of 225 meters/ 739 feet and a draught of
6.3 meters/ 20.7 feet, the Europa 2 is capable of calling at small,
rarely visited ports such as Bonifacio and Portofino, which is not an
option for most larger ships. Furthermore, a total of twelve Zodiacs
will be onboard, to take passengers to lagoons and beaches, for
example, in remote parts of Southeast Asia where ships can't dock.
Accommodations On-board, All-Suites
The Europa 2 will exclusively offer Veranda Suites with balconies each
measuring at least seven square meters/ 75 square feet facing the sea, a
novelty in the cruise market. In addition, all suites will have a mini
bar, which is free of charge, Internet access via Wi-Fi (at an extra
charge) and a tablet PC. The 251 suites in seven different categories,
measure in size from 28 – 99 square meters/ 301-1,066 square feet, and
will offer their own whirlpools with ocean view in the highest
categories. In addition, 16 Spa Suites will have whirlpool tubs and rain
showers with steam saunas, providing guests with a private oasis of
wellbeing on-board. For families traveling together, there will be seven
family style suites, where parents and children can live in two
separate areas, connected by a door and the shared balcony.
Culinary Diversity with Flexible Times and Open Seating
The restaurant concept onboard the Europa 2 will be synonymous with
diversity and flexibility – flexible mealtimes, no assigned seating, and
plenty of tables for two.
There will be eight restaurants to choose from among them, three
speciality restaurants with Mediterranean, French and Asian cuisine, as
well as a Sushi Bar. All restaurants are included in the cruise price
(excluding beverages). On special occasions, guests can book the private
dining room, allowing them to dine in a very personal atmosphere. There
will also be an on-board cooking school, equipped by Miele, where
professional chefs will provide guests with unique insights. In
addition to the eight restaurants, six bars are to be found on-board.
Entertainment with Exclusive Productions & Performances
The entertainment program will reflect the modern concept of the Europa
2. The theater will have modern stage technology and a large LED wall
extending across two stories – a novelty on a relatively small ship. For
the first time for Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, the entertainment program will
feature spectacular productions, performances and light shows.
The shows will have no adaptation of shore programs, but instead will
be exclusively performed on-board the Europa 2. Two different shows per
week will be offered, ensuring plenty of variety. Passengers who spend
14 days on-board will see four different shows. International guest
artists will further enhance the entertainment program. Many shows do
not start simultaneously, allowing guests to enjoy more than one show
nightly.
Wellness and Fitness: 1,000 Square Meters/ 10,000 Square Foot Spa
Guests will also find diversity and plenty of space in the wellness
area of the Europa 2, which will boast 1,000 square meters/ 10,000
square feet. Treatments ranging from massages, to facials, to Thalasso
therapy, will be offered in the eight treatment rooms at the spa. The
extensive sauna landscape grants every guest more space to relax than
any other ship of this class. In addition, passengers can book
a Personal SPA experience and enjoy the private sauna and
whirlpool facilities, as well as massage beds and comfortable relaxation
furnishings, by the hour or the day, in an intimate atmosphere.
The onboard facilities also include a large fitness area with fitness
and cardio equipment, as well as a room where Pilates and Spinning will
take place. Upon request, a Personal Trainer is available to counsel
guests on their workout, and sports hosts are available to organise
shore excursions, for example, bicycle tours or Nordic Walking.
Child Care Available For Toddlers Two And Older
Young cruise passengers are sure to enjoy themselves in the Kids and
Teens Club, compiled by qualified child care specialists. For the first
time in the German market, childcare will now be available for toddlers
two and older on the Europa 2 (subject to charge).
There will be a special area for the infants called the “Knopf Club,”
equipt with cots, changing tables and a lounge furnished with cuddly
toys, by the renowned manufacturer Steiff. Steiff is a German-based
plush toy company known for its high quality for over 100 years.
Children ages 4-10 years old play in the adjacent Kids Club, and
children 11-15 years old get together in the Teens Club, where table
football, video game consoles, or the disco will await them. Children
eleven and under travel free of charge on board the Europa 2, when
accompanied by two full-price cruise guests. Shore excursions for
children, teenagers, or the entire family are offered on all family
cruises.
NYCruiseInfo.com Website
