Our Europa 2 cruise review provides a quick look (5:41 minutes) at Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ newest luxury vessel. If you have trouble viewing the embedded video, click here to view on Youtube.
Transcript of The Avid Cruiser’s Europa 2 Video Review
VOICEOVER: Embark with me on a luxury cruise. I’m Ralph Grizzle, the Avid Cruiser.
Today I am boarding Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ Europa 2. Together, we’ll explore this new ship and see what it has to offer. So sit back and relax as I take you cruising in high style.
STANDUP: Hi, I’m Ralph Grizzle, and I’d like to welcome you aboard the best ship that you’ve probably never heard of. This is Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ Europa 2, and at least one industry guidebook has given it its highest-ranking ever for a small ship. So what is it that makes Europa 2 so special? Well, let’s go find out.
VOICEOVER: Europa 2 was introduced in 2013. That makes her the youngest luxury cruise ship sailing on the seven seas. Critics were quick to praise the new vessel. The Berlitz Complete Guide To Cruising and Cruise Ships gave Europa 2 its highest score ever — for a 5-stars-plus rating.
Europa 2 is the most spacious cruise ship afloat. From the gorgeous atrium to the attractive dining rooms to the elegant suites with their expansive bathrooms, Europa 2 reveals itself to be a ship where space is a luxury hallmark.
While space is one aesthetic that makes Europa 2 a work of art, the ship also features sculptures placed throughout the public areas, with large windows that allow for the play of sun and sea, and a pool area that appears inviting and Oasis-like under a retractable roof. No expense was spared in an attempt to build the most beautiful ship afloat.
Europa 2 features quality craftsmanship throughout with generous teak decking and lots of private spaces for enjoying the sun, sea and sky, either in open lounge chairs or shaded day beds.
Europa 2’s European staff is comprised of 370 multilingual crew members who serve up to 516 guests. The vessel has one of the industy’s highest staff to guest ratios.
You’ll find many of the standard sea-faring traditions on Europa 2, such as high tea in the Belvedere Lounge, but you’ll also find a few new offerings, like the one we’re about to experience in Herrenzimmer, an attractive lounge offering fine cigars.
STANDUP: We’re doing something a little unusual here on Europa 2, and that is we’re doing a gin tasting. Europa 2 has the distinction of having the largest gin collection at sea. And with that, cheers.
VOICEOVER: After cocktails, it was time for dinner.
STANDUP: You won’t need to wear a tie to dinner on Europa 2. That’s because there’s no formal dress code. Nor are there set dining times or fixed seating plans. Plus, you have more choices for dining on Europa 2 than on any other luxury ship. I’m dining in Restaurant Tarragon tonight, specializing in French cuisine where beef tartar is prepared tableside, but there are many other restaurants to choose from. It’s one of the things I like most about Europa 2. There’s a dining experience for everyone. Bon Appétit.
VOICEOVER: In addition to Restaurant Tarragon, there is Serenissima, specializing in Italian cuisine; Elements, which serves Asian dishes in a beautiful dining room. There’s the Yacht Club, situated aft, with outdoor seating and gorgeous views of the sea. You can enjoy Sushi at Sakura, situated adjacent to the Yacht Club, or spend an evening in the beautiful main restaurant, Weltmeere. There is no surcharge for dining in any of these restaurants.
Europa 2 also features a beautiful spa, with steam rooms and saunas, a gorgeous whirlpool, treatment rooms, and even a personal spa, which is a treatment room that you can rent for total privacy with whirlpool and massage tables.
Europa 2 features a fitness center with state of the art equipment for both cardio training and strength building, as well as a golf simulator.
Other activities include cooking classes with guest chefs, evening entertainment ranging from piano bars to jazz clubs to riveting performances in the main theater. Families are welcome on board, as there are facilities for both kids and teens.
Europa 2 also features an art gallery, and just across from it, you can browse for books in the library and check them out to take back to your stateroom.
With its gorgeous decor both inside and out, its spacious public areas and multiple dining venues, Europa 2 awaits to welcome you on board.
STANDUP: I hope you’ve enjoyed what little we’ve been able to show you of Hapag-Lloyd’s Europa 2. I’m Ralph Grizzle, and I’d like to leave you with a mix of German and English, Auf Wiedersehen, Good-bye, So Long and Tschüss.
