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| Veranda Suites on MS Europa 2 sport balconies measuring at least 75 square feet. |
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises “wowed” the world with its MS Europa, and is looking to take to the seas again with a sister gem, the MS Europa 2.
Set for launch in May next year, the MS Europa 2 will follow the lead of MS Europa in terms of style, service and luxury. The vessel will have exclusive Veranda Suites with balconies, each balcony measuring at least 75 square feet. We hear the 251 suites will be organized into seven different categories ranging from 301 to 1,066 square feet, and will offer their own whirlpools with ocean views.
Spa savvy? We say it’s best to book one of the 16 Spa Suites for your clients who crave a little extra pampering. These suites will have whirlpool tubs and rain showers with steam saunas.
Families traveling together will feel most at home in one of the seven family-style suites.
Onboard, guests can dine at one of the eight restaurants, including three specialty restaurants with Italian, French and Asian cuisine, as well as a Sushi Bar. There will also be an onboard cooking school and six bars.
Spa enthusiasts will sigh over the 10,764-square-foot OCEAN SPA, which offers treatments ranging from massages and facials to thalassotherapy. Tip: There will be eight treatment rooms, but we hear it is best to book a Personal SPA experience. Guests will be able to enjoy the private sauna and whirlpool facilities. These experiences can be booked by the hour or for the day.
While at sea, the MS Europa 2 will embrace shorter itineraries to accommodate busy travelers and families. There will be seven-day combinable cruises to the Med in the summer and 13-20 day combination cruises to more exotic destinations in the winter. The ship will call at a total of 123 ports, with 26 different itineraries in 2013.
Though the ship takes after MS Europa, there are key distinctions that we think set it apart. Europa 2 will take on a more modern feel to accommodate the tastes of youthful cruisers. The Europa 2 also conducts all of its cruises in both German and English, while the Europa only offers a select number of bilingual cruises each year. Unlike the Europa, the Europa 2 offers flexible dining, as well.