ms Europa

MS Europa cruise ship was launched in 1999. The vessel is operated and owned by the German company Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. In the company's history, this is the 4th ship named "Europa".

History - construction and ownership

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises (Kreuzfahrten) is Hamburg-based cruise company, subsidiary of Hapag-Lloyd AG (shipowner) - currently ranked world's 5th largest container shipping line in terms of fleet capacity. Until 2017, HL Cruises was fully-owned subsidiary of Europe's leading travel group TUI AG.

The 28,890-ton, 408-passenger cruise ms Europa was awarded “best cruise ship in the world” by Berlitz and Ward-Ranking for twelve subsequent years. MS Europa is extremely quiet and no vibration is felt onboard. The propellers and the electric motors are hung in pods beneath hull which improves efficiency by pulling, and not pushing the Europa cruise ship through water. The 650 feet long vessel has shallow draft and can dock in spots where large ships cannot. MS Europa cruise ship was designed as streamlined luxury vessel. Her design is compared to other luxury ships’ design, such as Silversea Silver Shadow. MS Europa is one of the first featuring ABB Azipod propulsion system, which reduces vibrations towards stern of ship.

Service level is major factor for MS Europa high rankings. The ship claims highest ratio staff-to-passenger in the industry – 280 multi-lingual, young staff serves 400 guests. The primary onboard language is German, English is second. Most of the guests are German. The British, American and Australian passengers are few.

Cruise itinerary program

MS Europa itinerary program is based on Asia and Europe cruise deals to popular destinations like Southeast Asia (with departures from Singapore and Hong Kong), Middle East (from Dubai), Baltic Sea and Mediterranean (from Germany, Kiel and Hamburg), with Suez Canal repositioning transits. The Europa cruise ship offers all-inclusive deals, and is often ranked as the most expensive passenger ship in the world.

Cabins

MS Europa has a total of 204 cabins (152 with their own veranda) in 10 grades. MS Europa was designed as luxury ship, and all her cabins are suites. The largest MS Europa suites spread on 915sq.ft, the smallest – on 291. All suites have separate sleeping and living places, feature walk-in wardrobes, mini-bars stocked with mineral water, soft drinks and beer, all complimentary and replenished regularly along with the fresh fruit and champagne. All suites provide flat-screen TVs, comfortable seating area, complimentary TV network (Cruise Net) with private e-mail, selection of movies and music on demand, plus Internet, for additional charge. The bathrooms are marble-tiled with full-size bathtubs, glass-fronted showers and cabinets to stock personal items. High-end toiletry, slippers and thick cotton robes are provided.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

All guests are served single seating in the large panoramic Europa Restaurant and can order à la carte, served by both chef de rang and a waiter. No additional charge is needed for the specialty restaurants: Restaurant Dieter Muller (serving modern dishes), Italian Venezia and Euro-Asian Oriental. Lido Café is suitable for casual dining. There are no long lines. Service is attentive and beverages are brought to the tables. The buffet stations provide a variety of salads, cheeses, cooked foods, and desserts. Pasta and grill specials are presented at lunch and dinner. Club Belvedere features afternoon tea from premium leaves’ extensive selection, served in individual pots with cakes and sandwiches. Also there, classical music recitals take place.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

In 1999, when MS Europa was built, it had a casino, but because it was rarely used, a year later was taken out and now the space is used for cocktail parties and meetings. Europa Lounge is the place for entertainment and lectures. MS Europa also features other bars and lounges (Pool Bar, Piano Bar, Havana Bar, Sansibar, Clipper Lounge, Auditorium, Atrium), as well as library with Internet access. The swimming pool is rarely crowded (20×75-meter) and partly covered with dome. A hot tub is situated nearby.

Europa passengers can also enjoy a fitness room, golf simulator, tennis court, shuffleboard and driving range, as well as a deck for the guests who like nude sunbathing. The ship features a kids’ playroom (Kids' Club) and Teens' Club, though it is a real adult ship. MS Europa Ocean Spa is not big, but it’s well-equipped and offers full services’ menu, makeup and hair stylist, solarium and sauna. Other amenities include an Art Workshop, Photo shop, boutique, gallery, and promenade.

Europa cruise ship was one of the first passenger vessels with ABB Azipod propulsion system, which reduces vibration towards the stern. She is the namesake of the new ms Europa 2 ship (2013).

MS Europa ship primarily serves German-speaking passengers, but is also well known to travelers around the world. The reason are the Berlitz travel guides on cruising. Berlitz cruise guidebooks rank ms Europa as the best luxury cruise liner in the world. She is the only one with a five-plus star rating for more than a decade.

The HL's Europa cruise ship offers sophisticated theme cruises. The list of themed itineraries features culture (arts, literature, music cruises, "Ocean Sun Classical Music Festival" /an annual event at sea), science, family cruises, food and wine cruises. Golf Cruises are another set of themed voyages, on which Europa's guests can benefit from the company of top PGA golf instructors from Germany.

After its drydock refurbishments in May 2007, the ship received new SPA Suites. The wellness area in the Ocean Spa was completely redesigned.