Berlitz Cruising & Cruise Ships 2017 (Berlitz Cruise Guide) (2016)
Europa 2
★★★★★+
Berlitz’s Ratings
Ship: 476 out of 500
Accommodation: 185 out of 200
Food: 373 out of 400
Service: 360 out of 400
Entertainment: 91 out of 100
Cruise: 375 out of 400
Overall Score: 1860 out of 2000
Europa 2 Statistics
Size: Small Ship
Tonnage: 42.830
Lifestyle: Luxury
Cruise Line: Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
Former Names: none
IMO Number: 9616230
Builder: STX France
Original Cost: $360 million
Entered Service: May 2013
Registry: Malta
Length (ft/m): 739.5/225.4
Beam (ft/m): 87.5/26.7
Draft (ft/m): 20.6/6.3
Propulsion/Propellers: diesel-electric (24,000kW)/2 azimuthing pods
Passenger Decks: 8
Total Crew: 370
Passengers (lower beds): 516
Passenger Space Ratio (lower beds): 83.0
Passenger/Crew Ratio (lower beds): 1.3
Cabins (total): 258
Size Range (sq ft/m): 376.7-1,227.1/35.0-114.0
Cabins (for one person): 0
Cabins (with private balcony): 258
Cabins (wheelchair accessible): 2
Wheelchair accessibility: Best
Cabin Current: 110 volts
Elevators: 4
Casino (gaming tables): No
Slot Machines: No
Swimming Pools: 1 (1 w/ sliding glass dome)
Hot Tubs (on deck): 2
Self-Service Launderette: No
Dedicated Cinema/Seats: Yes/75
Library: Yes
Onboard currency: Euros
A stunningly spacious, top-notch informal ship for stylish internationals
Overview. Europa 2 is the superb, elegant, contemporary but informal sister to the much-acclaimed Europa. This all-suite, all-balcony ship, currently with the highest passenger/space ratio in the cruise industry, is the ultimate space ship - the benchmark in contemporary cruising. It is for youthful, but sophisticated, cosmopolitan travelers and their families, and operates in English and German.
The Ship. Europa 2 has a sleek profile and appearance, balanced by Hapag-Lloyd’s signature orange-and-blue funnel. Look down from an upper aft deck and you’ll see a fine rounded stern.
The ship has one additional deck to Europa, but 40 percent more space. In fact, it’s the spaciousness and natural light that is so evident. There is a complete walk-around deck - wide enough to walk around even with deck lounge chairs inhabiting the space - an unusual feature for a ship of this size. Teak decking is everywhere (no artificial turf anywhere), as are teak handrails on all balconies and outdoor stairways.
The two-level pool deck is a stunning space, with a 15-meter rectangular saltwater pool; it can be either indoors or outdoors, or both, thanks to a large moveable glass roof that can completely cover the area in cool or inclement weather conditions (when closed the area is like a cozy winter garden). A real hot spot, five Balinese sleep beds are on the upper level (another seven can be found on the secluded aft deck), contemporary sun beds and drinks tables, as well as a bar, separate food bar (think waffles and made-on-board ice cream in the afternoon), and removable movie screen (you can even lie down in the Balinese beds in the upper section and watch movies).
A fleet of 12 Zodiacs - all named after Hamburg suburbs - is carried for landings in small harbors and isolated bays away from more familiar routes, as well as 20 bicycles for passenger use (at no charge).
Europa 2 is beautifully appointed, and the quality of the fit and finish is high, due to the demands of its detail-oriented owner. Hamburg-based interior designers PartnerShipDesign created something really contemporary and slightly edgy in a ship that also includes some traditional Hapag-Lloyd characteristics from yesteryear, yet is completely different to the more formal Europa.
The atrium lobby has chic gray, black and chrome decor, armchair-style seating, a long bar, and a superb specially commissioned gray Steinway grand piano. A high ceiling sets it all off, together with what look like several huge gray and black distillery-like features, and the long reception desk is separated by see-through curtain-like zones. A glass viewing wall in the centre on both sides of the main elevator foyer provides multi-deck contact with the sea outside, and lets natural outside light flood in. The glass walls provide a connection with the sea (isn’t this why people go cruising, after all)? Adjacent to the atrium is a large, upscale boutique (Wempe) and jewelry store, and along the walls - some rather expensive pieces of art.
There are seven restaurants (plus one extra-cost 16-seat venue with nautical decor - good for private family functions), two lounges, and six bars - some with familiar names carried over from the tradition of Europa, (Club Belvedere and Sansibar). Like her sister ship several public rooms are located off a main high-ceilinged hallway, connecting at the central atrium lobby.
The L-shaped, but elegant Club Belvedere provides a refined setting for chamber concerts and poetry readings, and is a fine, relaxing venue for afternoon tea (it incorporates a pastry and cake counter, and a bar).
Herrenzimmer is a cigar lounge with three large glass-fronted, temperature-controlled cigar cabinets. The bar features a wide range of armagnacs, calvados, and cognacs, all poured tableside, plus Cuban beer, and the largest collection of premium and trendy artisan gins of any cruise ship - over 40 - from several countries.
Sansibar, a firm favorite with many regulars, is a sea-going outpost of the famous, trendy seafood/wine restaurant on the north German island of Sylt. This popular aft hangout has indoor seating, a dance floor, and plenty of seating outdoors (the room’s floor-to-ceiling windows open to the outside). It has an à-la-carte menu, tapas-style nibbles, wine selections, and a great club-like atmosphere. It’s the ‘in’ place to be at night. It also offers a ‘late riser’s breakfast.’
The Jazz Club is a trendy dedicated lounge featuring live jazz (a seven-piece band plus two vocalists when I sailed), soul music, and other artistic presentations. There’s also an auditorium with a stage for presentations as well as 3D movies, a library full of fiction, reference and destination books, and a Miele Culinary Arts School.
Europa 2 and Europa are similar in a few respects, but they are vastly different ships - and cater to a different set of passengers. Europa 2 features shorter-length cruises for the time-challenged (including 7-day cruises, with different itineraries that can be combined into a longer cruise), and a host of delightful dining venues and other exclusive features.
There’s no traditional captain’s dinner, because the ship is for a more youthful clientele seeking high quality in a relaxed, but refined setting, although senior officers do dine occasionally with passengers in varying venues. The ship is on a 12-year charter from its investors and is a lusciously contemporary interpretation of the company’s renowned and highly rated Europa - and then some.
Families. There are three special areas for kids and teens: an extra-charge Knopf Club (a new ‘Cap’n Knopf’ bear was created specially by Steiff - and available for sale in the shop - only aboard Europa 2) for children aged from two to three; a Kids’ Club for 4-10-year-olds; and a separate Teens’ Club for 11-15s - with iPod chairs, table football, and chill-out area. Special (parent-free) shore excursions for children are also available.
Accommodation. There are 13 price categories and eight accommodation grades (sizes given include balcony).
There are two Owners Suites (1,227 sq ft/114 sq m); two Grand Penthouses (947 sq ft/88 sq m); 16 Spa Suites (560 sq ft/52 sq m); 24 Grand Suites (559.7 sq m/52s sq m), including two for the disabled; 59 Ocean Suites; seven Family Apartments (581 sq ft/54 sq m); and 141 Ocean Suites (376.7 sq ft/35 sq m). Even the smallest balcony measures 75.3 sq ft/7 sq m, and all except the ‘Family Apartments’ have Jacuzzi bathtubs. All Penthouse Deck suite occupants can choose their favorite bottles of spirits at no extra cost and come with butler service.
The two Owners Suites are truly luxurious apartments (like a villa, with a hotel attached), and double-wide balconies. The standout feature, though, is a huge ocean-view wet room (bathroom) with a private steam sauna, large ‘rain’ shower with built-in chromo-therapy lighting, and a separate hand-held shower hose; plus separate circular whirlpool tub for two, window-side daybed, two large washbasins, and floor-to-ceiling windows. The spacious living area has walk-in closets, a fully stocked refrigerator, full dining table and chair set, butler service, and an Eames lounge chair. There are multiple TV sets, including one integrated in a bathroom mirror adjacent to the whirlpool bath.
Spa Suites have a rain-shower and steam sauna combination, whirlpool bathtub, and a large window between sleeping/living area and bathroom (with a wooden blind for complete privacy), and separate toilet. A television screen integrated into the bathroom mirror.
Two specially outfitted suites for the disabled each has a large bathroom with roll-in shower, three washbasins, and an integrated ‘mirror’ TV.
Facilities in even the smallest standard suite (28 sq m/301 sq ft plus 75.3 sq ft/7.0 sq m balcony) are excellent, and the layout is both well designed and practical. The overall suite decor is relaxing but not boring - with brown, beige, and cream the underlying colors. The beds have an adjustable torsion arrangement so you can vary it from hard to soft. Both head and body/foot sections can be raised for optimum comfort and best sleeping levels.
A wide choice of large-size, full-color daily newspapers is available (at extra cost except for Penthouse Deck 10 suites), and all accommodation grades feature a Nespresso coffee machine and associated items. An interactive TV can be positioned for viewing from the bed or lounge seating area. Other practical features include a refrigerator/minibar cabinet (beer and soft drinks are supplied at no extra charge) with several ‘quiet-close’ integral storage trays for glasses, cups and other wet bar amenities - all contained in a superbly-designed anti-rattle cabinet. There’s also a writing/vanity desk, and couch with large table in a separate lounge area, and a leather keycard holder (the door unlocks when you touch the keycard against the lock).
An integrated color TV/computer monitor and Media4Cruises infotainment system includes 24 hours per day video and audio on-demand, and internet connection via a wireless keyboard or tablet. There is no charge for incoming or outgoing emails, only for attachments and general Internet access. A data socket is provided should you decide to bring your own laptop computer, and the ship is Wi-Fi enabled throughout.
Dining. Europa 2 really is all about lifestyle and a wide choice when it comes to food, dining experiences, and culinary adventures. The open-seating concept in all restaurants makes it easy for families with children to choose when to eat. Dibbern china and Schott Zwiesel glassware are provided. What’s nice is that (unusually for a ship of this size) some 40 percent of all tables are for two - the others are for four, six or eight. What makes most of these double-deck height restaurants special is their decor, individuality, and the different cuisines featured.
Weltmeere: This 266-seat restaurant (its huge, pink ‘octopus’ tentacle-like glass chandeliers are whimsical) features a wide range of international cuisine favorites, and the contemporary chairs have armrests. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Other dining options. Yachtclub: this 276-seat (142 indoor and 134 outdoor seats) restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It includes a self-serve multi-section buffet (including an Ayervedic ‘bio-food’ section), rotisserie and two active cooking stations - plus a wonderful manual Berkel meat-slicing machine for wafer-thin cold cuts. Outside is an excellent Pasta Bar (several types of pasta are made on board, as are six different sauces daily), and a separate Grill Bar (featuring several types of fish). A canvas-like canopy incorporates heaters for cool-weather areas or conditions.
Tarragon: this extremely chic, tile-floored 44-seat French-style bistro restaurant specializes in tableside carvings (the steak tartare is exceptional, and you can choose the accompanying ingredients), regional/seasonal food, and a focus on fresh herbs. It is open for dinner (and on selected days for lunch). Reservations are required.
Grand Réserve: this 12-seat wine bar/dining venue features special tasting events. Reservations are required. It is adjacent to Tarragon, and open only for dinner.
Serenissima: this 56-seat Italian restaurant has open seating for lunch and dinner (reservations are required for dinner). The large white columns add to the feeling of grandeur.
Elements is a reservations-required 48-seat pan-Asian food themed restaurant, open for lunch and dinner.
Sakura is a 58-seat sushi restaurant (part of the Yacht Club, but open only for dinner) featuring Japanese cuisine (a favorite here is the ‘Black Spider Man’ - tempura soft shell crab with avocado - and other ingredients); it incorporates a sit-up sushi counter. Reservations are required.
Speisezimmer is a 16-seat dining venue for private dining. It has nautically-themed decor, costs €1,500, and can be reserved for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Although reservations are required for dinner in several venues, there’s no extra cost in any of them (unlike the specialty dining venues aboard many other ships). Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has long been known for its culinary creativity and extremely high quality of food and service. This ship won’t disappoint those who seek the best.
Sansibar is a trendy indoor-outdoor venue featuring special drinks and items from the venue of the same name in Sylt. It features special wines, has an à-la-carte late-riser’s breakfast, and constantly changing tapas-style eats. It has a dance floor, and is the champion late-night disco-style venue, and is a great place to see and be seen.
Entertainment. The Theater is the ship’s two-level showlounge, with good sightlines from almost all seats. It has LED lighting for superb show backdrops and scenery changes, and a thrust stage for cabaret acts, or concerts. Multi-faceted entertainment is provided by the company’s own production team, with 16 different shows scheduled each year - each designed to be highly visual to accommodate the bi-lingual, international clientele.
Live music can be found around the ship, but the Jazz Club is a standout venue for the cool stuff. Meanwhile light classical and chamber concerts take place in various venues throughout the ship.
Spa/Fitness. The Ocean Spa is, without doubt, the largest wellness and spa zone for this size of ship, with indoor and outdoor zones measuring a combined 10,764 sq ft (1,000 sq m) that does justice to the trend for combining holidays and wellbeing.
The calming, beautifully crafted wellness facilities are outstanding, and include a beauty salon, eight massage/body treatment rooms; a dry-ice wall; a steam sauna and three dry saunas with differing temperatures (Finnish, Herbal, and Bio), one of which overlooks the stern; two foot-washing stations (with different temperatures), two relaxation rooms (one with three hot, tiled beds), male and female changing/dressing rooms, showers, and two Dr Kneipp basins for foot baths and water walks.
For golfers, almost 700 sq ft (65 sq m) is devoted to two electronic golf simulators. Europa 2 is the first ship to combine state-of-the-art golf-simulator with a full-body video analysis - and a golf driving range. There’s also a golf club storage room.