STYLISH GLOBETROTTER GETS DRAMATIC REFIT
I recently went to New York City for a single day, just to see Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ (hl-cruises.com) beautiful, ultra-luxury flagship, the Europa 2. The 500-guest ship — recognized as one of the world’s only five-starplus ships by Berlitz — underwent its most dramatic refit at the Blohm + Voss shipyard in Hamburg in September.
Since its launch in 2013, this is only its fourth visit to the Big Apple. Its yearly itineraries vary greatly. Ports are rarely repeated, and the line doesn’t feel pressured to follow the lead of other cruise lines. Although the line attracts guests primarily from Europe, every voyage on Europa 2 is fully bilingual throughout, and the thoughtful staff switch effortlessly between German and English.
Armed with my notes from my cruise around Greece and Turkey three years ago, I boarded Europa 2 at its Manhattan berth to see what this extensive refit has in store for guests.
The changes to Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ flagship have been sweeping. The former Herrenzimmer lounge on Deck 4 has been given a brand-new look that removes much of the original’s dark, leathery decor, replacing it instead with vibrant green accent walls, new furniture, and fascinating artwork (check out the painting by Hamburg-based duo Sutosuto of a lady zebra smoking a cigar and drinking a cocktail to see what I mean).
Renamed Collins, the bar still offers the largest gin collection at sea, with 45 varieties from around the world ready to enjoy. I still credit my first cruise onboard Europa 2 with introducing me to the world of gin; a spirit I thought I genuinely didn’t enjoy until I realized I hadn’t been drinking the right one.
One of my favourite new features in Collins is the addition of a turntable and a collection of vinyl records that guests can select and play at their leisure. It’s a nice, thoughtful touch — one of many that Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has installed aboard Europa 2.
High up on Deck 10, the Belvedere Observation Lounge has gained a new on-board library, with English and German fiction and nonfiction titles lining its walls. This was always one of my favourite spots aboard Europa 2, but it was chronically underutilized. Now, with a bevy of books, new seating options, and a dedicated coffee bar, I’d expect more guests to take advantage of this great space. Floor-to-ceiling windows also give way to one of the best outdoor viewing decks I’ve seen on a ship, which wraps around the entire vessel.
Elsewhere, the vibrant Jazz Club retains its saturated reddish-purple decor, but gains a new name. As Club2, guests can still enjoy plenty of nightly live music in this great space, with its high ceilings and cool club vibe.
Throughout Europa 2, I was pleased to find new carpets, reupholstered furniture, and little added touches from bow to stern. In total, nine areas were reconstructed or reconfigured, including the ship’s main show lounge and the soothing Ocean Spa, which received new saunas, steam baths, and an improved layout.
During its drydock in September, workers laid 43,055 square feet of new carpeting and used 5,000 litres of new paint to keep Europa 2 looking spectacular. Most cruise ships receive regular drydocks every three to five years, where carpets are changed out and maintenance performed. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises takes Europa 2 out of service for a few weeks every other year — something that helps the ship maintain its coveted five-star-plus status.
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises also offers some unexpected features aboard Europa 2, like dedicated Kids and Teens clubs for families travelling together, and active shore excursion options.
Besides being one of the world’s most luxurious ships, Europa 2 might just be the most adventurous: a stylish, bilingual globetrotter sailing the world on voyages of discovery, each and every day.
Happy cruising.