EUROPA 2: One of the Best Ships You’ve Never Heard Of
Europa 2 sits at Lisbon’s Santa Apolonia Cruise Terminal, her brilliant white exterior accented only by a single stripe in the colors of the German flag.
As an American, I’m intrigued by this 42,830-grt, 500-guest ship that has repeatedly been named “The Best Ship in the World” by Insight Guides (formerly Berlitz Cruising and Cruise Ships) yet remains largely off the radar in this country.
Part of the five-ship fleet of Hamburg-based Hapag-Lloyd Cruises (Europa, Europa 2, and the expedition vessels HANSEATIC nature, HANSEATIC inspiration, and HANSEATIC spirit), Europa 2 debuted in 2013 as the line’s only bilingual German/English vessel. This year, however, Hapag-Lloyd expanded that approach across the fleet in an effort to attract more English-speaking guests. And while it’s likely you’ll be vastly outnumbered by Europa 2’s fiercely-loyal German fans, don’t worry—most speak better English than we do.
During my weeklong sailing from Lisbon to Bilbao, I discovered that Europa 2 is a ship of flawless design, exceptional dining across six complimentary restaurants, innovative entertainment, and meticulous attention to detail. I also discovered a couple of eye-opening differences between a Europa 2 sailing and those American-style ones I’ve become accustomed to.
A Work of Art… Literally
The first thing that strikes me as I board Europa 2 is the light. Spherical windows and floor-to-ceiling ones line each deck and, as I enter the ship’s spacious reception area, the light from them bathes its high ceilings, golden accents, modern sculptures, baby grand piano and sleek port-side bar in radiance.
Immediately, I see Europa 2 is a celebration of contemporary art, with nearly 900 original pieces displayed throughout the ship—paintings, photographs, and sculptures by artists including Damien Hirstand and Gerhard Richter. A dedicated gallery hosts rotating exhibitions curated by The Frick Collection in New York and Hamburg’s Galerie Commeter/Persiehl & Heine and should you visit the bridge, you’ll even find an original oil painting of the ship recently donated by maritime artist Stephen J. Card.
The artistry continues throughout Europa 2 and its stunning and intimate public spaces. There’s the glowing wine bottle chandelier at Sansibars, the multi-million-dollar Murano glass ceiling fixtures at the Weltmeere and a glistening lap-size swimming pool that is surrounded by a riot of sunbathing options, from traditional loungers to couches, canopied nooks and full-size sun beds. Even the ship’s staircases are adorned with quirky sculptures. And yet, despite the lavish surroundings, the atmosphere aboard Europa 2 is a decidedly laid back one with an emphasis on relaxation and casual dress. I think I was the only woman who wore heels at the Captain’s Farewell!
A chandelier made from illuminated wine bottles hangs inside Europa 2’s Sansibar lounge. Photo: Judi Cuervo Murano glass ceiling fixtures add a dramatic focal point aboard Europa 2. Photo: Judi Cuervo Europa 2’s main pool deck combines modern design with multiple lounge and sunbathing areas. Photo: Judi Cuervo Canopied daybeds line the pool deck aboard Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ Europa 2. Photo: Judi Cuervo A cocoon-style lounger offers a private outdoor retreat aboard Europa 2. Photo: Judi Cuervo
All Sweet… All Balcony!
I enter my Veranda/Ocean Suite and am dazzled. Simply dazzled.
Done in a soothing neutral color scheme with blonde wood accents, the suite is a spacious retreat. Storage is abundant—more hangers than I’ve ever seen in a ship’s closet—and while plush robes and slippers are offered aboard most cruise ships, those flip-flops are a surprise!
The king-size bed, set against an artistic wooden headboard, is dressed in luxury linens and topped with a selection of plump pillows. A sculptural partition separates the sleeping area from the cozy sitting area with its loveseat and a desk/dresser that cleverly conceals a lighted makeup mirror and charging stations (though bedside outlets require an adapter).
Near the sliding glass doors leading to the 75-square-foot veranda—furnished with two chairs, a table, and a lounger—a slim cabinet holds a Nespresso machine, stemware, dishes, an ashtray (more on that later) and even a corkscrew and wine sealer. A mini-fridge, replenished twice daily, is stocked with complimentary beer, juices, and soft drinks.
Yet the true showstopper is the bathroom. Behind a frosted glass door is a spacious shower, while on the opposite side of the room sits a full-size whirlpool tub bordered by a glass wall that, by offering a view into the sleeping area, creates the illusion of even more space (blinds atop the glass partition may be lowered for privacy while bathing). Dual Villeroy & Boch bowl sinks, ample shelving, a magnifying mirror, and TWO blow dryers are hidden inside vanity drawers. A generous supply of bathing essentials is provided, along with handy extras like dental floss, nail files, a sewing kit, shower cap and more.
Europa 2’s all-suite accommodations feature spacious bathrooms, whirlpool tubs and thoughtfully stocked amenities. Photos: Judi Cuervo
Europa 2 accommodations are all suite/all balcony, with the smallest measuring a generous 376 square feet. “Family Apartments” that connect two separate areas are available and the little ones’ space includes whimsical toys and furniture designed specifically for them!
A World of Superb Taste
Europa 2 offers four extraordinary specialty dinner options—Serenissimo (Italian), Tarragon (French), Elements (Asian), and Sakura (sushi)—in addition to Weltmeere, her main dining room, and The Yacht Club buffet. Specialty restaurants are reservations only at dinner (no lunch reservation is required for lunch at Serenissimo or Tarragon) and each specialty restaurant is complimentary. Best of all, your specialty restaurant dinner reservation holds your table for the entire evening, meaning you can show up at 7:00 p.m., 9:30 p.m. or anytime in between.
It is my first evening aboard Europa 2 and I’m at Weltmeere. Before me is the most superb Wiener schnitzel I’ve ever tasted, a tender filet pounded thin beneath a crispy coating and served alongside a sweet and tart cranberry sauce and addictive German potato salad.
But if you’re thinking that it’s only German dishes that excel aboard a German ship, you certainly haven’t sailed Europa 2!
At the Italian Serenissima, I start with a delightful antipasti misto studded with ham, salami, and velvety burrata cheese atop a tangy tomato tapenade and follow it with a Ligurian fish stew rich with seafood, white beans, tomatoes and fennel. Next is the ultimate indulgence: tagliarini prepared tableside, the strands swirled inside a massive wheel of parmesan, coating the pasta in the decadent cheese and cream before being sprinkled generously with truffle shavings. That sure wasn’t German!
You’ll find a variety of sushi at Sakura and at Tarragon, silky steak tartar, briny bouillabaisse and crispy duck breast. Scrumptious signature dishes of Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Cambodia and more are showcased at Elements. For casual meals—breakfast, lunch and dinner–head to the indoor/outdoor Yacht Club and its buffet, grill, and an ice cream bar with flavors that reach far beyond vanilla, chocolate and strawberry.
Oddly, when Europa 2 sails U.S. waters, her popular poolside Waffle Bar is prohibited—a shame since those golden-brown confections with toppings like salted caramel and chocolate are an afternoon delight!
Fitness, Funk & Fun
With the extraordinary dining aboard Europa 2, it’s not surprising that fitness classes, from morning stretch, indoor cycling, full-body workouts, interval training and even a special workout at the ship’s rail are offered daily.
Bucking that trend is the ship’s Cooking School workshop where, on my sailing, Iberian cuisine was featured with private instruction by the ship’s professional chefs.
Europa 2 boasts the largest gin collection at sea, so it’s not surprising to find a gin tasting taking place at Collins, the ship’s cigar bar. But those who don’t imbibe haven’t been forgotten thanks to the ship’s vast collection of non-alcoholic wines and spirits.
With the exception of champagne available at breakfast, reasonably-priced wine and spirits charges—approximately $8.25 for a glass of wine and $9.43 per cocktail–are applied to guests’ accounts. A drinks package is available at approximately $51.83 per person, per day.
Don’t expect lavish production shows aboard Europa 2 but, instead, more intimate entertainment. The ship’s band performing Madonna’s hits at the intimate Club 2, a quirky “Austro-Pop Night” that celebrates the performers of Austria, or you might head to Sansibar for an evening of dancing overseen by probably the best DJ at sea–armed with a laptop, DJ Annet will play any song you request! But perhaps my favorite entertainment of all was an “unplugged” theater performance by Chanin, a German singer/songwriter whose emotion-drenched voice captivated the audience as he performed English-language covers and his original songs.
And Now For Those Differences…
Will Europa 2 appeal to Americans? There’s slight hesitation to my resounding “Yes!” only because of a handful of differences that range from the trivial (on board charges are in Euros and your daily program will use the 24-hour time clock) to the more significant:
Boys & Girls Together…Naked!: Europa 2’s lavish spa includes a sauna and steam room both available to guests at no charge. “The rooms,” the spa technician tells me, “Are textile free.” “Textile free,” I soon learn, means naked. Buck naked. And, even more eye-opening, the spaces are uni-sex. Fortunately, the more modest can grab a towel to wrap around themselves before sweating it out.
Where There’s Smoke, there’s a Firestorm: Europa 2 respects smoker’s rights—imagine that. While smoking is certainly forbidden in suites, dining areas and other indoor spaces with the exception of Collins, the ship’s cigar bar, ashtrays are available in outdoor areas and…smoking is permitted on suite verandas. Non-smokers I spoke with did not object. “I don’t judge!” said one English lady. “As long as it’s outside, there’s no problem!”
Europa 2’s cigar bar and smoking-friendly balcony policy reflect the ship’s more European approach to onboard lifestyle. Photos: Judi Cuervo
Europa 2 delivers a near flawless cruise experience and her German speaking followers (77% repeaters) have proven it. If we Americans can open our minds—or just avoid the steam room and the cigar bar—I have no doubt that we’d enthusiastically agree with them.
A Newcomer? Not by a Long Shot!
You might be unfamiliar with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises but ship historians certainly recognize the storied line.
Created through the 1970 merge of HAPAG (originally launched in 1848) and Norddeutsche Lloyd (originally launched in 1857), each company organized their own luxury cruises in 1891. The companies are perhaps best known for the construction in 1931 of the Imperator and the 1929 entry into service of Blue Riband ship, the Bremen (previously the French Pasteur).
Aboard Europa 2, guests can view a small museum dedicated to these and other Hapag-Lloyd ships like Ariadne, the four ships of the Albert Ballin class and those of the Hamburg-American Line. You’ll find the exhibits, sourced from the private collection of Petra and Dr. Stefan Behn, displayed in Europa 2’s Cruise Sales Lounge.
