Hapag-Lloyd Cruises will further strengthen the cultural focus of EUROPA 2 in 2027 with three ART 2 SEA themed voyages, offering guests curated experiences centred on contemporary art through collaborations with internationally recognised gallerists, collectors, curators and art experts. The programme is designed to combine onboard exhibitions with artist encounters and specially arranged shore excursions to studios, museums, private collections and leading art institutions.
The 2027 ART 2 SEA programme has been developed with contributions from Hamburg gallerist Carola Persiehl, ART KARLSRUHE chief curator and gallerist Kristian Jarmuschek, art historian and dealer Thole Rotermund, and art collectors Lea and Christian Schwarm. Each curator will shape an individual voyage, reflecting the artistic traditions and contemporary cultural landscapes of the regions visited.
Art remains a defining element of the EUROPA 2 experience, with ~890 original works displayed throughout the vessel. The collection, combined with the ship's contemporary interior design, all-suite accommodation with private verandas, seven gourmet restaurants and a maximum capacity of 500 guests, forms an integral part of the luxury cruise product rather than serving solely as decorative artwork.
Lisa Wilken, Head of Luxury Cruises at Hapag-Lloyd, stated that the ART 2 SEA concept continues to position EUROPA 2 as a platform for cultural exchange by allowing renowned figures from the art world to curate individual voyages. She indicated that exhibitions, artist discussions, vernissages and carefully selected shore experiences are intended to provide guests with direct access to contemporary art and perspectives extending beyond conventional museum visits.
The first ART 2 SEA voyage will sail through the Indo-Pacific under the guidance of Dr Lisa Zeitz, editor-in-chief of WELTKUNST, Kristian Jarmuschek and Thole Rotermund. During the voyage, the gallery on Deck 9 will present a new exhibition curated by Berlin-based Jarmuschek + Partner, while the shoreside programme is expected to include visits to the Semarang Contemporary Art Gallery in Java, the ARMA Museum & Resort in Bali, and the studio of Indonesian artist Faisal Habibi. The itinerary will also feature presentations on Indigenous Australian art and regional cultural history. Rotermund noted that the programme was designed to enable guests to experience art within its original cultural context through direct encounters with artists and access to studios and private collections.
The second ART 2 SEA departure will operate between Tokyo and Hong Kong, examining artistic and cultural links between Japan and China. Hosts Lea and Christian Schwarm will be joined by entrepreneur and China analyst Ailin Huang and Bangkok-based collector Désiré Feuerle. The onboard gallery will feature a curated exhibition by photographer Nina Papiorek, presenting black-and-white images from Japan, China, Hong Kong and Vietnam. Planned shore experiences include visits to the Kirishima Open Air Museum, Beijing's 798 Art Zone and the Shanghai studio of contemporary artist Guan Xiao. Lea and Christian Schwarm indicated that the programme would explore the role of contemporary art in reflecting social change and fostering cultural dialogue across national boundaries.
The third ART 2 SEA voyage will take place in the western Mediterranean under the direction of Carola Persiehl, owner of Galerie Commeter. The itinerary will combine contemporary art with Mediterranean destinations, while the onboard gallery will host an exhibition curated by Galerie Commeter. Planned excursions include visits to Fondation Maeght on the Côte d'Azur, the sculpture park at Commanderie de Peyrassol, Hauser & Wirth on Menorca, and the Provençal studio of artist Minjung Kim. Persiehl stated that personal encounters with artists and access to significant collections and cultural venues form the foundation of the ART 2 SEA concept.
Among the featured departures are the 18-day Japanese Culture and Chinese Cities voyage from Tokyo to Hong Kong between May 15th and June 2nd, 2027, and the 12-day The Elegance of the Mediterranean cruise from Civitavecchia/Rome to Palma de Mallorca between August 3rd and 15th, 2027.
Both sailings are available under Hapag-Lloyd's PLATINUM fare with applicable early booking discounts.