Douglas Ward
A truly sophisticated, top-class ship for elegant, formal cruising
The Ship. This sleek-looking ship has a gracefully shaped stern topped by Hapag-Lloyd’s signature orange-and-blue funnel. It is very stable at sea, with no vibration or noise – thanks partly to its pod propulsion and excellent build quality. Some 14 Zodiac landing craft for close-up coastal shore excursions and boot-washing areas are provided, as are over 20 bicycles free for use ashore, offloaded on to the dock in each port (where possible).
There is an outdoor walking/jogging area with rubberized deck (plus a walk-around teak promenade deck), and a small ‘FKK’ (Freikörperkultur) deck for nude sunbathing. Sunloungers have thick cushioned pads.
There is a long, rectangular swimming pool, which is half indoors and half outdoors. While not the widest, it is longer than pools aboard many other cruise ships (measurements are 56.7 x 16.8ft/17.3 x 5.12m). Movies can be screened poolside, and themed social events are held here on selected evenings.
Most of Europa’s hotel service crew understand the culture and can talk in depth about German, Swiss, and Austrian life.
Europa, one of the world’s most spacious purpose-built cruise ships, offers formal cruising (more formal than Europa 2, for example – despite the similarity in name, this is a very different ship), and painstakingly accomplished service. The space per person is high, there is never a hint of a line, and both restaurant and showlounge can seat a full complement of passengers. Only the best-quality soft furnishings are used, blending traditional with modern designs and materials. Most public rooms and hallways have extremely high ceilings, providing an enhanced sense of space and grandeur, with no hint of glitz. The interior focal point is a seven-deck-high central atrium, with two glass-walled elevators (operated by ‘piccolos’ on embarkation day). The lower level features a white Steinway grand piano and Piano Bar, reception desk, concierge and shore-excursion desks. It’s a cozy, open space for parties, particularly on ‘formal’ nights, when passengers dress appropriately. Tucked away in one corner is a business center.
Several public rooms are located along a curved ‘street’ leading aft from the atrium, including Gatsby’s – a speakeasy-style place to meet, chat, and be entertained, with superbly crafted vintage cocktails, half-moon-shaped bar, small stage, and wooden dance floor..
What was originally designed as a casino is now a multi-function space for small cocktail parties; it also serves as a high-class art gallery showcasing German artists.
Supremely comfortable, the sidewalk Havana Bar cigar lounge is a clubby room (with cigar-colored armchairs and, on one wall, a huge photograph of Che Guevara), with three large glass-fronted, conditioned humidor cabinets, and an extensive range of cigars (from 102mm to 232mm) of top, mostly Cuban brands. It also serves a fine range of armagnacs, calvados, cognacs, and Cuban beer, while a wall-mounted digital jukebox has a push-button selection of songs and instrumental music. Do try an Irish Coffee, correctly made with the glass rotated while sugar is blended with the alcohol, then heated gently over a candle. Adjacent is the ship’s jeweler/clothing boutique (Wempe).
On a higher deck, Club Belvedere is a lovely room, with a curved bar; afternoon tea (with a choice of over 30 mostly loose-leaf teas) takes place here, as do intimate music recitals. There is a superb selection of cakes, made fresh daily.
The library, home to an illuminated globe of the world and numerous bookcases, is open 24/7. Opposite is a small cinema/meeting/function room.
For passengers dependent on wheelchairs, a special ramp is provided from the outdoor lido/pool deck down to where the lifeboats are located; only three other ships have such a ramp (Asuka II, Crystal Serenity, and Crystal Symphony).
Europa is arguably the most luxurious of the smaller, more formal cruise ships, and for the German-speaking market (the crew also speaks English) nothing else comes close. The tradition of indulgent cruising is taken to the highest level, with superb food and culinary diversity, a wide range of creature comforts, and wonderful flowers. A drydocking stint, scheduled for late 2017, will substantially change some areas, including the enlargement of the Ocean Spa, larger spa suites, and substantial refreshing of many areas.
Accommodation. This is in five configurations and several price categories, and consists of all-outside-view suites: two Penthouse Grand Suites (Hapag and Lloyd) and 10 Penthouse Deluxe Suites (Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Handel, Haydn, Lehár, Mozart, Schubert, Strauss, Wagner; each suite contains a large framed picture of the relevant composer), 156 suites with private balcony, 36 standard suites, two suites (with private balcony) for passengers with disabilities, and eight suites with interconnecting doors.
Almost all suites have a private balcony with wide teak deck and lighting, and a smoked glass screen topped by a teak rail. Twelve suites overlooking the stern are among the most sought-after accommodation – six on each of two decks, including a balcony with canvas ‘ceiling’ for shade and privacy.
All suites have a wooden floor entryway, a sleeping area with twin beds convertible to a queen-size bed, and bedside tables with lamps and two drawers. There is a lounge area with curtain divider and bird’s-eye maple wood cabinetry, with rounded edges. Facilities include a refrigerator/mini-bar (beer and soft drinks are supplied at no extra charge), writing/vanity desk, and couch with large table. An illuminated walk-in closet provides ample hanging space, six drawers, personal safe, umbrella, shoehorn, and clothes brush. European duvets are also provided.
All passengers receive a practical shoulder travel bag, an insulated lunch bag for shore excursions, and keycard holder.
An infotainment system includes 24 hours per day video and audio on-demand, a large flat-screen television, Internet connection via a wireless keyboard, and a data socket.
All suites have a 100 percent air-circulation system, and excellent soundproofing.
The white/gray/sea green marble-tiled bathrooms are well designed, and include two good-size cabinets for toiletries. Each has a full bathtub plus an integral shower, retractable clothesline, and separate glazed shower enclosure. Thick cotton bathrobes are provided, as are slippers and an array of personal amenities.
Deck 10 Suites. There are two Penthouse Grand suites, and 10 Penthouse Deluxe suites, all with electronically adjustable beds and coffee machines. A teakwood entrance hall opens into a spacious living room with dining table and four chairs, stocked drinks cabinet with refrigerator and complimentary bar set-up, laundry and ironing service, priority spa reservations, pre-dinner canapés daily, handmade chocolates, petit-fours, and other niceties. Balconies have teakwood decking, and white canvas ceiling shades. For the ultimate in exclusivity, two Penthouse Grand (1001 and 1002) suites have huge bathrooms (each with a private sauna, angled bathtubs, and heated floor), and extensive forward views from their prime location, with a large wrap-around balcony; they also have larger walk-in closets (with a window), large flat-screen infotainment screens, Robbe & Berking silver Champagne goblets, and Bulgari bathroom amenities. Well-trained butlers provide the highest level of unobtrusive Western European service.
Four ‘spa suites’ incorporate a large private teak-decked balcony; twin or queen-size bed; walk-in closet; dark wood cabinetry housing a refrigerator stocked with fruit juices and different mineral waters; and bar set-up. There’s a flat-screen infotainment system, and storage space (including a jewelry drawer) with pull-around doors, a writing/vanity desk, and floor-to-ceiling windows. Decor colors are warm reds, yellow, and gold. There is a large window between the living/sleeping area and the bathroom, with its Asian-style decor, Jacuzzi bath with underwater lighting, separate large shower enclosure with rain shower, a toilet, gold, thick-glass washbasin, and hairdryer. Special teas and other services are provided by spa personnel.
Disabled suites (Deck 7) have one electronically operated bed with hydraulic elevator, one regular bed, and a closet with drawers (replacing the walk-in closet in all other suites). Bathrooms have a roll-in shower, fittings at the right height, several grab handles, and an emergency call-for-help button. Wheelchair-accessible public toilets are provided on the main restaurant/entertainment deck.
Dining. With so many separate food ingredients carried, the executive chef produces menus that don’t repeat even for around-the-world voyages. The cuisine is outstanding, and always full of surprises. Seasonal and regional ingredients and totally fresh fish and seafood are standard. Plated presentation of food is provided for entrées with silver service for additional vegetables. Portion size is sensible, and never overwhelming. There are four restaurants.
Europa Restaurant is a beautiful, high-ceilinged formal dining room. Tables are assigned for dinner only (breakfast and lunch are open seating), so you keep your waiter throughout each cruise. There are tables for two to eight. For correct service, there is a chef de rang and an assistant waiter system, with the assistant waiter acting as runner.
On sea days, an additional Gourmet Breakfast menu includes items such as beef tartare, smoked tuna carpaccio with wasabi cream, and other specialties rarely found aboard cruise ships today. A Cuisine Légère menu features light, healthy, but tasty spa cuisine.
Table settings include Dibbern china, Robbe & Berking silverware, and Riedel wine glasses. The cuisine includes German favorites and regional dishes from around the world. Top-grade caviar is on the dinner menu at least once each week, and available on request, at extra cost.
An extensive wine list includes a wide selection of vintage French wines, as well as a well-balanced selection of Austrian, German, and Swiss wines.
In a cruise industry first, three Michelin-starred chef Dieter Müller has his Dieter Müller at Sea Restaurant, a pocket-sized 26-seat intimate restaurant featuring a five-course menu (three for lunch). The menu changes three times during a world cruise, and seasonally during the rest of the year. Müller participates in about half of Europa’s annual program. The restaurant – a haven for lovers of haute cuisine – is open for dinner nightly and for lunch on sea days, at no extra charge.
Venezia, a second specialty restaurant, is admired for its fine Italian cuisine, notably its range of olive oils and grappa, and its antipasti trolley. It is open for lunch and dinner, at no extra charge.
Both venues are adjacent to the main restaurant, and provide the setting for intimate dining experiences (reservations required).
Lido Café is the casual eatery for serve-yourself breakfasts (the ship even makes its own preserves), luncheons, and dinners, with indoor and outdoor seating (under heat lamps, when needed) and adjacent indoor/outdoor bar. Themed evening dining is also featured, with skilled waiter service. There is a wide variety of food, and many lunch buffets host popular themes and fresh local specialties.
Above the Lido Café is the popular indoor/outdoor chill-out late-night spot Sansibar, with great aft-facing views, and some excellent drinks.
Europa is known for its real German sausages, available in Gatsby’s and at a typical Bavarian Frühschoppen (featured once each cruise in the Lido Café). Nautical tradition is maintained with bouillon service each sea day, and other daily niceties include fresh waffles and ice cream poolside.
Entertainment. The Europa Lounge, with its rich red decor, is a traditional showlounge with a sloping floor, a U-shaped seating configuration, and a proper raised stage, although several pillars obstruct sight lines. Its intellectual entertainment program is tailored to the theme of the cruise – and includes a constant supply of high-quality classical and contemporary musical artistes, cabaret acts, and expert lecturers.
The ship carries a main showband, plus small musical units for live music for listening and dancing to. Most classical concerts and recitals take place in the Belvedere Lounge, with its dropped central circular wood floor.
Spa/Fitness. Ocean Spa has a wide range of beauty services and treatments, and full-day spa packages.
Facilities include a steam room and sauna (mixed), two shower enclosures and foot-washing stations, relaxation room, men’s and women’s changing/dressing rooms, and beauty salon. Treatment rooms have music menus, so you can choose what music you wish to hear (if any). The gymnasium includes a ‘miha bodytec’ training machine and personal trainer.
An electronic golf simulator room complements a golf driving range; a PGA golf pro is carried on all cruises, and shuffleboard courts are on the open deck.