Hapag-Lloyd (Europa & Europa 2)

My wife and I have sailed on Seabourn once and Silversea three times, and we enjoy the "luxury" cruise experience. I've read very good things about Hapag-Lloyd's Europa and Europa 2---the two highest-rated cruise ships in the world, according to Douglas Ward's annual Berlitz guide to cruising---but have never met anyone who has been on either ship. I know they're aimed at the German market, so I'm wondering what the ships are like in general, and what the experience is like for non-German-speaking passengers.

I am very much a fan of the Europa 2.

The Europa 2 is Hapag-Lloyd's international cruise ship catering for both German and English speaking passengers with a full range of services being available in English.

The Europa is aimed at the German speaking market, and from October this year will be even more so when there will no longer be an International Hostess on board and the limited English language services will be discontinued.

There is a wealth of information on the ships on the Cruise Critic's Luxury Cruise Board:

http://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=444

There are also several reviews by contributors to Cruise Critic, including two from Catlover54 who has cruised on both ships:

http://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/memberreviews/hapag-lloyd-cruises/cl/

English Voyager:

Thanks for your helpful reply. I have now read Catlover54's detailed reviews, and I think that---despite some misgivings on her part---we'll give Europa 2 a try late this year or in 2018.

Jim

English Voyager:

Thanks for your helpful reply. I have now read Catlover54's detailed reviews, and I think that---despite some misgivings on her part---we'll give Europa 2 a try late this year or in 2018.

Jim

jimdee3636,

The brochure for the Europa 2's cruises from March 2018 should be published this March.

On Hapag-Lloyd's German language website is a, German language, Preview Brochure for the period March 2018-April 2019 which will provide details of the itineraries.

If a particular itinerary does appeal, one can register an interest with Hapag-Lloyd pending publication of the main Brochure and prices.

Ask your TA to request the necessary application form from Hapag-Lloyd.

The link to the Preview Brochure is:

http://www.hl-cruises.de/bk/EUX-2018-19-DE-Preview/index.html?catalog=EUX-2018-19-DE-Preview#page_1

For some reason, Cruise Critic does not permit a direct link to Hapag-Lloyd's English language website, but if you log onto it, and scroll down to Experience.tv, there are 12 videos on the Europa 2.

My husband and I took this ship and loved it -- see my review in Cruise Critic member reviews section.

Here are a couple of hints --

Check the pricing in both USD and Euros. As their catalog is printed in advance, you may have an advantage booking/paying in Euros. Worked for us!

Their cruises book up very quickly. We were in the lowest category and it was great, but these cabins go quickly.

Have a great time!

Yes, there is a feeble attempt to market Europa2 in NA. Much to the chagrin of their German customer base. Thirty days aboard last year and I was the only USA passport holder during that period. All announcements in German and English. Annoying to me and much more to the German passengers.

I would not be surprised if they eliminate their NA experiment and drop bilingual announcements. They're filling the ships fine without Americans being aboard.

Yes, pay in Euros.

I like both ships. One remains more formal with probably better overall service. Best cabin ever on Europa2.....beautiful ship.

Yes, there is a feeble attempt to market Europa2 in NA. Much to the chagrin of their German customer base. Thirty days aboard last year and I was the only USA passport holder during that period. All announcements in German and English. Annoying to me and much more to the German passengers.

I would not be surprised if they eliminate their NA experiment and drop bilingual announcements. They're filling the ships fine without Americans being aboard.

 

Yes, pay in Euros.

 

I like both ships. One remains more formal with probably better overall service. Best cabin ever on Europa2.....beautiful ship.

Fortunately, English is not confined to the USA.

Towards the end of February each year, there is held in London a Cruise Show at which Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has a stand.

I doubt that they would go to that effort if they did not consider it to be worthwhile.

Testing the waters. Companies do experiment, yes?

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises did have a stand at last year's London Cruise Show.,

In fact, for me personally, it was their special UK promotion in 2014 that resulted in me taking my first cruise on the Europa 2.

My wife and I have sailed on Seabourn once and Silversea three times, and we enjoy the "luxury" cruise experience. I've read very good things about Hapag-Lloyd's Europa and Europa 2---the two highest-rated cruise ships in the world, according to Douglas Ward's annual Berlitz guide to cruising---but have never met anyone who has been on either ship. I know they're aimed at the German market, so I'm wondering what the ships are like in general, and what the experience is like for non-German-speaking passengers.

Hello Jim, time to meet me.

I have experienced a cruise on Hapag-Lloyds Europa 2 and was so impressed we have booked another for later this year.

You can read my review here...

https://solentrichardscruiseblog.com/2014/10/03/europa-2-raising-the-bar/

It's a little bit of a fallacy that they are aimed at the German market only. Every member of staff speaks English and they are amazing.

It is the only cruise line I have sailed with that provides its staff with tailored/fitted uniforms.

Their Ocean Suites, with natural light bathrooms, are amazing.

The food is exceptional, entertainment just brilliant and, though not all inclusive, their alcohol and wines are more than reasonable with no cover charges on any of their five speciality restaurants which, incidentally, are often open for lunch as well as dinner.

Indeed, I don't think I have ever experienced such a comprehensive seafood buffet on any ship and that includes Seabourn and Silversea....

Hope that helps.

Richard,

You had the exact same state room we had. I recognize it from the picture on the wall. They are different in each room, about 800 different pieces of art and photography on Europa 2.

Nice photo of seafood buffet. Reminds me of favorite Europa story. A few years ago we did Europa up the Norwegian coast. Seafood market in Bergen, they brought on king crab legs and served on deck for lunch. If everyone had three legs, there would have been plenty for crew.

Following year we did same trip on Seabourn. Nada. We couldn't bring our own back for fear of cross contamination. It's on this route that I first noticed H-L ships appear to have the prime parking spots in ports. Without exception, if I see Europa or Europa 2, they have the better parking spot. Little things that people might not notice.....it adds up to make a real difference.

We have been looking at this line as well, especially now that Seabourn ships are getting larger. It seems that although the prices are similar, HL don't offer alcohol as part of the package. Am I right about this?

We have been looking at this line as well, especially now that Seabourn ships are getting larger. It seems that although the prices are similar, HL don't offer alcohol as part of the package. Am I right about this?

With the exception of beer, and soft drinks, provided, and replenished, in the in-suite fridge, alcohol is not included.

However, drinks are very reasonably priced--- allegedly about 30-40% below what one would expect to pay in a 5* hotel, and there is no service charge.

HL's reasoning is that by not including alcohol they are able to offer a much wider choice.

As is stated in the following video, the Europa 2 carries 19000 bottles of wine covering 450 varieties, and over 250 varieties of spirits.

Also, as is the German custom, bottled water ordered with a meal is chargeable.

I hope this helps.

jimdee,

i you once did the europa 2 ( and also the europa ) some people do not want to go to others anymore like me.

i did SS , SB and Crystal and probably i will never return to those.

the food is luxurious and the staff extremely professional

but do not expect the "cruise classics" like beef wellington, chicken kiev however on the lunch buffet there is a daily roast.

counting every day until 3 rd June joining the "2"

maybe language caused it is not recommended to start on Hapag Lloyd doing the Ms Europa, smaller and also more formal. and 99 % German , honestly said.

i do speak german , so i am not invited to the international party for English speaking guests anymore :rolleyes:

and NO casino.

I've just started a new thread linking my latest review of two weeks on Europa 2. With over 150 photographs here is the review link...

https://solentrichardscruiseblog.com/2017/04/07/europa-2-asian-island-explorer/

i do speak german , so i am not invited to the international party for English speaking guests anymore :rolleyes: .

If you tell them you want to be invited, they will invite you. Go to the muster drill for English speakers at the beginning of the cruise, tell the international hostess that you want an English and a German daily paper. If that doesn't help, tell the German hostess that you would like to meet the international hostess. That's what we did at the beginning of the second leg of our cruise.

Richard,

Wonderful blog as always.

If you tell them you want to be invited, they will invite you. Go to the muster drill for English speakers at the beginning of the cruise, tell the international hostess that you want an English and a German daily paper. If that doesn't help, tell the German hostess that you would like to meet the international hostess. That's what we did at the beginning of the second leg of our cruise.

Sound advice. The International hostess on my recent cruise was an absolute gem.

I cannot vouch for when there are no English speakers on board but when we were just four (My wife and I and 2 Americans) the printed 'Times' was available daily.

At the end of the evening the staff even put it aside for delivery to my suite...

Richard,

Wonderful blog as always.

Thank you Floridiana.

I have just realised I forgot to mention that Europa 2 even issued all guests who wanted them a complete set of snorkelling equipment, Snorkel, mask and fins.

If you tell them you want to be invited, they will invite you. Go to the muster drill for English speakers at the beginning of the cruise, tell the international hostess that you want an English and a German daily paper. If that doesn't help, tell the German hostess that you would like to meet the international hostess. That's what we did at the beginning of the second leg of our cruise.

i was joking ...:o