MS Europa 2

Europa 2 entering Southampton Water.
Career
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[3]
Maiden voyage:	11 May 2013
Identification:	Call sign: 9HA3283 IMO number: 9616230 MMSI number: 229378000
Status:	In service
General characteristics
Tonnage:	42,830 GT[4]
Length:	225.62 m (740 ft)[5]
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 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.

Concept and construction

Europa 2 has been described as "the ritziest ship in the industry."^[6] 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.^[7] She was christened on 10 May 2013, during the 824th Hamburg Port Anniversary.^[8]

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.^[6] She has the greatest space per passenger of any cruise ship,^[6] and her décor is contemporary.^[9] During the day, her reception area is bathed in natural light, which floods in through floor-to-ceiling windows extending over several levels.^[9]

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.^[6]

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 ..."^[6] 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.^[6][9][10]

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.^[9]

There are six bars: Herrenzimmer, Sansibar, the Jazz club, Belvedere, the pool bar and the piano bar.^[11]

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.^[6]

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

Verandah Suites include walk-in wardrobes, baths and showers. Ocean Suites have rain showers and whirlpool tubs with an ocean view.^[9] The Owner's Suites and Grand Penthouse Suites are decorated with works by David Hockney featuring images of butterflies.^[6] All suites have internet access, Nespresso coffee machines and 24-hour room service. Higher category suites are also provided with butler service.^[9]

Other facilities

Europa 2‍ '​s pool deck

Europa 2 has one 15 metre long pool, a gym and two golf simulators.^[12][13] She also features a spa.^[14]

The pool is long enough to enable the swimming of laps, and is surrounded by comfortable loungers with soft marine-blue cushions.^[9]

The pool deck has a small bar and stage for live music.^[6] A retractable roof above it can be closed to create an atmosphere reminiscent of a conservatory.^[9]

Europa 2‍ '​s well-equipped gym offers classes such as Pilates and Spinning, and also assists passengers wishing to continue their normal exercise regime ashore.^[9]

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,^[9] where spa users can relax after their treatments.^[6]

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.^[15] 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.^[6]

See also

• List of cruise ships

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Europa 2 (ship, 2013).

• Official website
• Christening of the MS Europa 2
• "Europa 2" – review by Jane Archer in The Daily Telegraph, London
• "EUROPA 2 Double Decked!, Part One" and "Part Two" – review by Peter Knego in Maritime Matters
• Europa 2 Review – review by Ralph Grizzle on The Avid Cruiser
• "First look: The luxury of Hapag-Lloyd's new Europa 2" – review in USA Today of a cruise on the Europa 2