Sailing on Hapag-Lloyd's MS Europa 2: The Secret Pinnacle of Luxury at Sea

Hamburg-based Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has long been the standard bearer for ultra-luxury small ship cruising and the MS Europa 2, sits at the very top of that tradition. A ship of flawless design, exceptional dining, and meticulous attention to detail, the Europa 2 consistently earns top marks from the Berlitz Cruising & Cruise Ships guide, and it shows. When I first entered the ship, I was wowed by the subtle luxury and beauty that is found in the decor, finishing choices, abundance of fresh flowers, and the warm hospitality. For decades Hapag-Lloyd has been almost exclusively for German-speaking clients. That changes with the appearance of MS Europa 2 in 2013, when it becomes their first bilingual ship. Now the whole fleet welcomes sailors in both German and English, but it’s still a “best kept secret” to the North-American market.

Reception and Lobby

The ship and suites

A mid-size ship with a maximum capacity of 500 guests, the Europa 2 features 251 all-suite staterooms, from Veranda to Penthouse, and is able to visit smaller ports thanks to its compact size. Even the entry-level suites are very spacious and bright. There is a good size walk-in closet, large bathroom with separate shower and a tub (in some suites the tub is jetted), and of course, a cozy veranda. Throughout the ship you’ll find high-quality design elements, such as silver-leaf ceilings, wide corridors, warm woods, and hand-blown Murano glass chandeliers. The attention to detail is meticulous, with fresh cut flowers and nearly 900 specially curated art pieces (there is also a dedicated art walk with the ship’s curator). Europa 2 boasts the industry’s highest ratio of public space per passenger, meaning, no fighting over deck chairs or a seat at the bar. The atmosphere is refreshingly relaxed!

Relaxation and spa

The Ocean Spa is a destination unto itself, with four sauna and steam rooms that are complimentary to use, a relaxation area facing the sea, a beauty salon, and a well-equipped workout area. The spa terrace invites peaceful relaxation with its ocean views, and a quiet-hideaway outdoor lounge with a whirlpool tub can be found on the Sun Deck. There is a decent size pool with retractable roof that can be enjoyed despite the elements, and the fitness centre offers personal training, yoga, Pilates, spin classes, and more. Spa services are reasonably priced, and neither the spa nor fitness center ever feel overly crowded.

Dining

The ship’s restaurants—including a main dining room, buffet, four specialty eateries, and more casual options—are open to all without surcharge, with flexible mealtimes and no assigned seating. The specialty restaurants are housed in intimate-boutique spaces, designed as if plucked out of the respective destinations they represent. Despite their smaller sizes, they never felt crowded. My top favorites were Tarragon, Serenissima, and Elements.

• Tarragon: This specialty restaurant features staples of the French cuisine. Think silky steak tartare, classic bouillabaisse, escargot, and crispy duck à l’orange. A true Parisian bistro on the open sea.

• Serenissima—light and airy Italian restaurant serving Mediterranean food with abundant gourmet pasta. The Tagliarini al Tartufo prepared table-side inside a massive wheel of parmesan, then sprinkled generously with truffle shavings, is the kind of showstopper dish that defines the experience.

• Elements: This restaurant offers Southeast Asian-inspired dishes from Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and more. It is one of the most adventurous tables on board. My absolute favorite was the Indian “Shrikhand” dessert (yogurt, saffron, and cardamom) for it’s perfectly smooth texture and transcendent flavor profile

• Sakura: One of the big hits with guests, this casual sushi restaurant serves high-grade freshly prepared tuna, salmon and mackerel sashimi, as well as nigiri, maki, California rolls, tempura and yakiniku.

• Weltmeere: The main dining room offers globally inspired menus that change daily, with an impressive design featuring fluted black pillars and a rose-colored Morano glass chandelier. It’s the ship’s culinary anchor. This is the place for free caviar on Caviar night (normally there is an incharge).

• Yacht Club: A buffet-style eatery that is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can find fresh salads, pasta, grilled specialties as well as dishes prepared a la minute at the chef’s stations. Breakfast can also be ordered in-suite.

• Globe: A restaurant on MS Europa (not Europa 2) but is worth mentioning as it is home to modern gourmet creations and timeless classics by three-Michelin-star chef Kevin Hefling. He is not just the menu creator but also joins the restaurant on select cruises. There is also an annual gourmet celebration sailing featuring top chefs with numerous Michelin stars who take over the deck for an unforgettable feast.

Tarragon's Bistro Charm

Serenissima

"Shirkhand," dessert at Elements

Golf

Golfers are exceptionally well catered for on the Europa 2. The golf simulators with integrated video analysis allow guests to tee off on the world’s best courses, with a resident PGA golf professional available daily for individual training sessions. One of the simulators features integrated video analysis that accurately assesses every stroke in terms of speed, length, angle, and line of flight, allowing the PGA professional to give detailed critiques. On dedicated golf-themed cruises, the program expands further, with shore excursions to top regional courses and full Golf & Cruise packages covering tee times, bag transport, club fitting, and professional accompaniment ashore.

Entertainment

Evening entertainment ranges from piano bars (Belvedere Lounge and Wine bar in the lobby) to jazz clubs (Club 2) to riveting performances in the main theater. The two-tier Theatre hosts curated cabaret, musical acts, and guest performances, while Sansibar (best place to have a drink during sail aways) comes alive with live bands and DJ at night. The ship also hosts themed voyage programs including: art-focused sailings, fashion evenings, and music events where well-known artists perform in intimate settings that few ships can match.

A special Hapag-Lloid touch includes a surprise on every sailing. It is kept secret until the day of, and it can range from a picnic on a secluded beach to swimming in the open sea. On my cruise, it was a “street food” party on the pool deck that included elevated street food inspired dishes (Lobster Club, play on lobster roll, Choridog, and over-the-top Bruschetta) with complimentary beer, wine, and cocktails (including alcohol-free).

Collins, Cigar Lounge

The Sun Deck

The expedition fleet

Beyond the Europa (400 passengers) and Europa 2, Hapag-Lloyd operates three state-of-the-art expedition ships: the Hanseatic Nature, Hanseatic Inspiration, and Hanseatic Spirit. Each accommodates a maximum of 230 guests (199 for Antarctica and circumnavigation of Svalbard cruises) and is purpose-built for ultra-luxury expedition travel, offering worlds both faraway and nearby, ice and tropics, wildlife paradises and cultural treasures.

The range of itineraries across the fleet is genuinely remarkable. The diverse program of classic cruises, uncharted routes, and themed journeys takes Hapag-Lloyd's five small ships to vastly different climates, including: the Amazon and Antarctica, as well as metropolises like New York and Rio de Janeiro, or remote stops like Aitutaki in the Cook Islands.

Northern Lights voyages follow the Norwegian coastline northward toward the North Cape, with calls in the Lofoten Islands, Geiranger fjord, Alta, and Tromsø, while sister ships simultaneously operate in Antarctic waters. The Antarctic Expedition with Cape Horn—the only such offering of its kind in Hapag-Lloyd's program through the end of 2027—takes guests to penguin colonies, glaciers, and Cape Horn itself before crossing the Drake Passage to the Antarctic Peninsula.

Modern ballet performance at the Theater

Hanseatic Spirit stopping to say "hi" in Madeira

• Spa etiquette: As a cruise line serving predominantly the European market, the spa facilities are mixed use and clothing optional.

• Smoking on board: Smoking is prohibited in closed spaces, with the exception of Collins, the cigar lounge, but is allowed in most open-air spaces.

• Alcoholic beverages: Generally, alcoholic beverages are at an additional cost, a la carte or prepaid package. The prices are very reasonable. The suite mini bar is restocked daily with complimentary non-alcoholic drinks and beer.

• Wi-Fi: There is very reliable wi-fi on board and every sailor gets one complimentary hour per day. If more is desired, there are different paid packages.

• A place for the kids: There are kids and teens clubs, as well as nanny services available.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our cruises page.