MS Europa 2

Europa 2 entering Southampton Water
History
Name: Europa 2
Operator: Hapag-Lloyd
Port of registry: Valletta,  Malta
Builder: STX Europe, Saint-Nazaire, France
Laid down: 7 February 2012[1]
Launched: 6 July 2012[2]
Christened: 10 May 2013
Acquired: 26 April 2013[1]
Maiden voyage: 11 May 2013
Identification: Call sign: 9HA3283
IMO number: 9616230
MMSI number: 229378000
Status: In service
General characteristics
Tonnage: 42,830 GT[1]
Length: 225.62 m (740 ft)[1]
Beam: 26.70 m (88 ft)
Draught: 6.3 m (21 ft)
Decks: 7 passenger decks
Speed: 21 knots
Capacity: 516 passengers
Crew: More than 370

MS Europa 2 is a cruise ship operated by Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, a German-based cruise line. She entered service in May 2013, and is the highest rated cruise ship in the world according to the Berlitz Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships, replacing her fleetmate, MS Europa, which had held that distinction for more than a decade.

Concept and construction

Europa 2 has been described as "the ritziest ship in the industry."[3] She was built at the STX Europe shipyard at St-Nazaire, France. Her first steel was cut on 5 September 2011, her keel was laid on 1 March 2012 and she was launched on 6 July 2012. On 29 April 2013, the vessel was handed over to Hapag Lloyd, with Dr Wolfgang Flägel, Managing Director of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises and Laurent Castaing, General Manager of STX France, signing the takeover protocol.[4] She was christened on 10 May 2013, during the 824th Hamburg Port anniversary.[5]

Architecture and equipment

Public spaces

Europa 2 is intended to convey an atmosphere more relaxing than that of her more traditional fleet mate, the Europa.[3] She has the greatest space per passenger of any cruise ship,[3] and her décor is contemporary.[6] During the day, her reception area is bathed in natural light, which floods in through floor-to-ceiling windows extending over several levels.[6]

The art collection aboard Europa 2 is one of the largest at sea, with 890 originals commissioned exclusively for the vessel. The collection's focus is on contemporary pieces; it includes works by Ólafur Elíasson, David Hockney, Damien Hirst, Adam Fuss and Hans Hartung.[3]

Restaurants and bars

Europa 2 has seven restaurants. All offer gourmet dining and a choice of 600 wines. According to one source, "On a normal night, 120 different dishes are served à la carte in the ship’s restaurants. Fifty-six cooks serve up to 500 passengers..."[3] The largest of the restaurants, Weltmeere, serves an international range of dishes. The other six include Tarragon, which is French-based; Elements, with an Asian theme; Serenissima, which serves Italian fare; and Sakura, a sushi restaurant. German cuisine is not a major feature.[3][6][7]

The self-service Yacht Club restaurant on the ninth deck is open to the elements. It has wood and metal tables and chairs, with a fleecy blanket on the back of each chair for northern waters.[6]

There are six bars: Herrenzimmer, Sansibar, the Jazz club, Belvedere, the pool bar and the piano bar.[8]

Europa 2 carries more than 200 different varieties of gin; Hapag-Lloyd claims that the vessel's gin collection, which is constantly evolving, is the largest in the cruise industry.[3]

Accommodation

251 cabins in total:

  • 2 Owner's Suites including veranda at 114 m²
  • 2 Grand Penthouse Suites including veranda at 88 m²
  • 16 Spa Suites including veranda at 52 m²
  • 24 Grand Suites including veranda at 52 m²
  • 59 Ocean Suites including veranda at 35 m²
  • 141 Veranda Suites including veranda at 35 m²
  • 7 family apartments including veranda at 2× 27 m²

Veranda Suites include walk-in wardrobes, baths and showers. Ocean Suites have rain showers and whirlpool tubs with an ocean view.[6] The Owner's Suites and Grand Penthouse Suites are decorated with works by David Hockney featuring images of butterflies.[3] All suites have internet access, Nespresso coffee machines and 24-hour room service. Higher category suites are also provided with butler service.[6]

Other facilities

Europa 2's pool deck
Europa 2's pool deck

Europa 2 has one 15 metre long pool, a gym and two golf simulators.[9][10] She also features a spa.[11]

The pool is long enough to enable the swimming of laps, and is surrounded by comfortable loungers with soft marine-blue cushions.[6]

The pool deck has a small bar and stage for live music.[3] A retractable roof can be closed to create an atmosphere reminiscent of a conservatory.[6]

Europa 2's well-equipped gym offers classes such as Pilates and Spinning, and also assists passengers who wish to continue their normal exercise regime ashore.[6]

The spa is classed as an "authentic wellness centre". It includes three types of sauna - Finnish, herbal and bio. The spa is also equipped with a steam room, ice wall and large whirlpool with views out to the private sun deck,[6] where spa users can relax after their treatments.[3]

Service history

Europa 2's 14-night maiden voyage departed from Hamburg, Germany, and stopped at Amsterdam, Antwerp, Honfleur, La Rochelle, Bordeaux, Bilbao, Leixões and Lisbon.[12] The vessel has since been named the number-one cruise ship in the world by the Berlitz Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships, replacing her fleetmate, MS Europa, which had held that distinction for more than a decade.[3]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Fleet online, GL-Reg-No : 116532
  2. ↑ "09.07.2012 en - Hapag-Lloyd Cruises". Hl-cruises.com. Archived from the original on 2012-12-22. Retrieved 2013-04-11.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Shillinglaw, Greg (28 February 2015). "Top Ship in the World". TravelPulse. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  4. ↑ "Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Receives Luxury Ship EUROPA 2". World Maritime News. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  5. ↑ "Cruise Ship EUROPA 2 Christened". World Maritime News. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Stone, Deborah (8 April 2015). "The Europa2: Explore the cruise ship with it's own television station". Daily Express. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  7. ↑ "Restaurants - Hapag-Lloyd Cruises". Hl-cruises.com. Retrieved 2013-04-10.
  8. ↑ "Bars - Hapag-Lloyd Cruises". Hl-cruises.com. Retrieved 2013-04-10.
  9. ↑ "Golf - Hapag-Lloyd Cruises". Hl-cruises.com. Retrieved 2013-04-10.
  10. ↑ "Fitness - Hapag-Lloyd Cruises". Hl-cruises.com. Retrieved 2013-04-10.
  11. ↑ "OCEAN SPA - Hapag-Lloyd Cruises". Hl-cruises.com. Retrieved 2013-04-10.
  12. ↑ "EUX1300 - Hapag-Lloyd Cruises". Hl-cruises.com. Retrieved 2013-04-10.
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