There are ships designed to be the destination. And then there are ships designed to help you experience destinations properly.
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ MS EUROPA and MS EUROPA 2 fall firmly into the latter camp. They combine spacious surroundings, excellent food and attentive service with something we value just as much at Cruise Routes: genuinely interesting itineraries.
These are small ships by modern cruising standards. MS EUROPA carries a maximum of 400 guests and MS EUROPA 2 around 500, giving them the freedom to call at smaller ports and follow routes that simply wouldn’t work for much larger vessels.
And when you are on board? Life is rather lovely.
Two ships, one rather appealing way to travel
MS EUROPA and MS EUROPA 2 share a similar approach, but each has its own character.
MS EUROPA is the smaller of the two and offers a more classic interpretation of small-ship cruising – intimate, refined and highly personal.
MS EUROPA 2 has a more contemporary feel, with light-filled spaces, modern design and generously sized suites. It carries slightly more guests, but with a maximum of around 500 on board, it still feels a world away from a large resort-style ship.
Both place considerable emphasis on personal service, good food and having enough space to find your own quiet corner. Neither is about waterslides, packed decks or trying to fit an entire resort onto a ship. Thankfully.
Space to make yourself at home
One of the pleasures of spending longer at sea is having somewhere you actually want to return to at the end of the day.
Accommodation aboard EUROPA and EUROPA 2 is suite-based, with an emphasis on space, natural light and views of the ocean. There are plenty of comfortable public spaces too, whether you want to settle in with a book, spend an afternoon outside or simply watch the coastline pass by.
After a full day exploring a Japanese city, walking through a Mediterranean port or discovering somewhere considerably more remote, there’s something rather satisfying about returning to the ship and watching that day’s destination disappear into the distance.
Fine dining in first-class surroundings
Destination comes first on these journeys, but Hapag-Lloyd Cruises takes what happens between ports seriously too.
Both ships offer a choice of restaurants and dining experiences, with menus influenced by the places visited along the way. That variety is particularly welcome on Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ longer voyages, when the ship becomes home for several weeks rather than several days.
There’s a similarly considered approach to life elsewhere on board, with talks, visiting experts, music and performances alongside plenty of opportunities to do very little at all.
And sometimes an afternoon at sea with nowhere you need to be is exactly what’s called for.
It’s where they take you that really interests us
This is where EUROPA and EUROPA 2 really stand out for us.
Their relatively small size gives Hapag-Lloyd Cruises considerable freedom when planning an itinerary. Smaller harbours and less obvious ports can sit alongside the places you already know you want to see, while longer voyages allow you to experience how landscapes and cultures gradually change as you travel from one region to another.
And these ships certainly get around.
Asia – Japan’s Splendour in Full Bloom | MS EUROPA
Japan is at the heart of this 19-day journey from Yokohama to Ho Chi Minh City. Beginning in springtime Japan, EUROPA travels from Mount Fuji, Kochi and Kagoshima to historic Nagasaki before the scenery changes again around subtropical Okinawa and Ishigaki. From here, the voyage continues through Taiwan and into Vietnam – revealing very different landscapes, cultures and flavours as you travel south.
Explore Japan’s Splendour in Full Bloom
Australia & New Zealand – Set Course for Kangaroos, Koalas and Kiwis | EUROPA 2
Sailing from Fremantle to Auckland, this 19-day journey crosses southern Australia before continuing to New Zealand. Calls include Busselton, Albany, Kangaroo Island, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney before EUROPA 2 crosses the Tasman Sea for Waiheke Island and Auckland. It’s a substantial journey across two countries, with wildlife, cities, coastlines and wide-open landscapes all playing their part.
Explore Set Course for Kangaroos, Koalas and Kiwis
Africa – Adventure South Africa | EUROPA 2
This 13-day voyage begins in Mauritius and finishes beneath Table Mountain in Cape Town, travelling from the Indian Ocean towards the southern tip of Africa. It’s a route of considerable contrasts, bringing together island landscapes, changing coastlines, wildlife and South African culture – and a good example of just how much variety a relatively short voyage can contain.
Explore Adventure South Africa
South America – The Temperament of South America | MS EUROPA
Rio de Janeiro to Valparaiso over 23 days gives you time to appreciate the sheer scale and variety of South America. Rather than flying between its headline cities, travelling aboard EUROPA allows the journey to unfold gradually as you make your way from Brazil towards Chile, experiencing the changing landscapes and character of the continent along the way.
Explore The Temperament of South America
Europe – Norway’s Natural Wonders | EUROPA 2
This 15-day voyage from Hamburg to Kiel heads north into Norway, where deep fjords, steep mountainsides and small coastal communities make travelling by ship feel entirely natural. It’s also a journey where being on the water is every bit as important as stepping ashore – particularly when the view from your suite keeps changing outside the window.
Explore Norway’s Natural Wonders
Days at sea aren’t simply days in between
Travelling further sometimes means spending more time at sea. On the right ship, that’s no hardship.
The relatively small number of guests creates a quieter atmosphere, while the onboard programme offers plenty to occupy you when you want it. Or you can find somewhere comfortable, order a drink and spend an afternoon watching the sea. We’d argue that’s a perfectly respectable use of your time.
Service is similarly understated. The emphasis is on personal attention rather than ceremony – getting to know what you like and quietly getting it right.
Which ship is right for you?
If you like the idea of travelling on a smaller ship but don’t necessarily want an expedition ship, EUROPA and EUROPA 2 occupy an interesting middle ground.
You have the comfort, dining and service of a high-end ocean cruise, but aboard ships small enough to support much more interesting itineraries.
Choosing between them comes down partly to personal preference. EUROPA offers the more intimate, classic experience, while EUROPA 2 brings a more contemporary interpretation.
But we’d start somewhere else entirely: where do you want to explore?
You could find yourself beneath Japan’s spring blossom, following Australia’s southern coastline, travelling from Mauritius towards Cape Town, crossing South America or sailing deep into the Norwegian fjords.
Find the journey that excites you first. Then we’ll help you decide which ship feels most like home along the way.
Interested in exploring aboard EUROPA or EUROPA 2?
Speak to one of our Cruise Consultants. We’ll help you compare the ships and itineraries and, more importantly, work out which journey feels right for the way you like to travel.
Why book with Cruise Routes?
At Cruise Routes, we believe cruising is designed for exploration.
The opportunity for real discovery is the golden thread connecting every journey we recommend. From extraordinary wildlife and spectacular landscapes to meaningful encounters with the places you visit, our carefully selected expedition cruises are chosen to help you experience destinations more deeply – not simply pass through them.
Whether you’re considering EUROPA or EUROPA 2 as your first expedition cruise or planning a journey with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises on any of their fleet range, our Cruise Consultants are here to help you find the right voyage for you.
Speak to a Cruise Consultant about your Hapag-Lloyd cruise on 0203 924 8888 or enquire here.
