Europa 2 Cruise Ship Review 2026

With luxury cruises being booked like never before, if you haven’t heard of the Hapag-Lloyd Cruises MS Europa 2 Cruise Ship, it won’t be long before you do. This ship is, without a doubt, the most luxurious cruise I’ve ever experienced.

Though Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Europa 2 is technically a mid-size ship at a little over 738 feet long and 85 feet wide, the guest capacity is a maximum of just 516 people. Stop and think about that for a minute.

Most mid-size ships have a maximum capacity of double that amount, and many typically carry over 2,000 passengers. This alone makes vacationing on the Europa 2 cruise ship a very special experience. In fact, according to Cruise Critic, the Europa 2 has the highest passenger-space ratio of any cruise ship. So why haven’t many people heard of it?

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is a German cruise line. For many years, German was not only the primary language spoken on the Europa and Europa 2, but it was the only language spoken. Even with luxurious surroundings and incredible food, when all the shows, lectures, and events are in German, it can be a little off-putting. But all that is changing, and the company is eager to see guests from other countries experience the vibe of their luxury cruise ships.

Quick Facts About the Europa 2 Ship

• One of two luxury vessels owned by Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.
• A mid-size ship with a maximum capacity of 516 guests.
• 251 all-suite staterooms, from Veranda to Penthouse.
• Able to visit smaller ports because of its size.
• 7 restaurants, including a sushi bar and 3 specialty restaurants, as well as an upscale vegetarian menu.

What to Expect on the Ship

Especially when taking a cruise on a luxurious ship like the Europa 2, it’s nice to know what options for activities you have to look forward to onboard. Before we get to the activities, let’s look at your home away from home at sea.

All rooms on the Europa 2 are spacious suites with balconies. I stayed in an Ocean Suite, a step up from the Veranda Suite, which was the largest (376 sq. ft.) and most luxurious stateroom I’ve ever stayed in.

The bed was comfortable, with soft pillows and linens. Between the balcony and the bed was a sitting area with a couch and a coffee table. A large screen TV was on the wall near the desk and vanity area.

I was thrilled to have a Nespresso machine with coffee and cream in my room, which I have not found to be standard on a cruise. I love my coffee first thing in the morning, and being able to have it on the balcony without leaving was lovely.

I don’t normally get excited about a bathroom, but on the Europa 2, I must admit I sent a few photos to friends and family! Not only was the bathroom huge, with a fabulous shower and 2 sinks, but it had a large bathtub with jets.

The blinds offered privacy when showering, but could be brought up to let light in. The toilet room was actually a separate room, just to the left when entering the suite. To the right was a row of closets, some with hangers, some with drawers, so you’ll have plenty of space for your clothing and other items.

I usually feel that a nice room on a cruise is a bonus, but I don’t spend that much time there. On the Europa 2 cruise ship, I really looked forward to getting back to my room in the evening. Maybe that’s partly because I was tired after being so busy on the ship! There really is so much to do.

Dining Venues

With 7 upscale gourmet restaurants, you’ll have plenty of choices for culinary delights on the Europa 2.

Weltmeere

Weltmere, the main dining room and the line’s flagship restaurant, serves an international menu, which changes daily. On the evening I dined there, the menu read like a passport of flavors from around the world.

I started with the duck spring rolls – tender shredded duck in a sweet Asian sauce. My entree of monkfish in a Thai curry sauce with prawns was heavenly. I could eat Asian cuisine just about every night, but there were also many other options on the menu that evening, like Parisian Pepper Steak, Veal Cheek à la mode, and Halibut Mediterranean.

Elements

Known for flavours of the East, this Asian restaurant serves Indian, Chinese, and Vietnamese cuisine. As was the case each night, we began with an amuse-bouche, which was a nice touch.

For my appetizer, I opted for the starter portion of the Japanese curry ramen. It was bright, balanced, and pleasantly spicy. I’d heard the pork belly was popular, and as it was a smaller portion, I tried that next. It was grilled, caramelized, and so flavorful.

For my entree, I chose the Duck New Canton Style: tender duck glazed with soy sauce and served with cabbage, shiitake, and chili. The Red Curry Mousse with mango, coconut, and white chocolate was the perfect ending to this meal.

Yacht Club

The Yacht Club restaurant is the Europa 2 version of a buffet, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and offering an array of choices for each meal.

I don’t typically eat a big breakfast, but I stopped in for a yogurt or a small pastry a few times in the morning. I can’t imagine anything you could want for breakfast that they don’t have. They even offer an assortment of fresh juices each day.

For lunch, I enjoyed their healthy poke bowls twice. They are made fresh in minutes, perfect between activities.

The salad bar is also impressive, with crisp greens and an abundance of fresh toppings. There is also a pasta offering, soups, and several entrees. And did I mention the cheese section? Heavenly.

We only had dinner at the Yacht Club once, and it happened to be a special seafood night, featuring lobster tail, crab, shrimp, oysters, and other specialties.

Tarragon

French cuisine is the theme at Tarragon. I started with the Provençal Ravioli Pistou and it was one of my favorite dishes on this trip. The ravioli was so tender, and the thyme onion crumble just exquisite. The Grilled Black Cod was also fabulous, served on top of cauliflower mousseline.

The specialty here is Chateaubriand and the very popular beef tartare, prepared tableside.

Serenissima

For those who love Italian cuisine, Serenissima is the ship’s Italian restaurant. In my humble opinion, you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.

One night, I ordered Cornetti con Aragosta marinata al Zaferano: Saffron-marinated lobster, small pasta, and zucchini, and it was incredible. It’s one of the restaurant’s specialties, so if it’s on the menu, do order it. You’re welcome.

On another visit to Serenissima, I ordered fish, which was sublime. And yet another time, for lunch, I ordered shrimp with pasta. Can you tell this was my favorite spot?

Sakura

This Japanese restaurant is small, so be sure to reserve a spot. Luckily, fellow writer David Yeskel (The Cruise Guru) snagged a reservation before the cruise wrapped up and graciously invited me to join him.

The food was creative, delicious, and plated beautifully. You can see David’s take on the food in his article for Seatrade.

Restaurants rotate for a more formal breakfast and lunch, so be sure to look at the Programme of the Day schedule. Complimentary room service is also available.

Grand Reserve

The Grand Reserve is right next to Tarragon, and we were treated to a champagne tasting with the ship’s charming sommelier. He also offers wine tastings.

In addition to the restaurants, you’ll find 6 cocktail lounges, including The Piano Bar, Pool Bar, Sansibar, and my personal favorite, Collins.

Don’t miss afternoon tea in the Belvedere Library and Coffee Lounge. Having tea and a scone while gazing out at the sea through the large windows became part of my daily schedule.

Activities on the Europa 2 Cruise Ship

There’s truly no shortage of things to do onboard Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ Europa 2. One moment you’re attending a fascinating talk about AI’s influence on business, and the next you’re at a wine tasting.

Then there’s your spa appointment (massage or mani/pedi?), browsing the boutiques, or catching an intimate live performance. There really are endless opportunities. Below are some of my favorite ways to enjoy your time on the ship. Or maybe your plan is no plan at all – just a comfortable chair, a view of the water, and nowhere you need to be.

Ocean Spa

If you truly want to relax, book an appointment at the Ocean Spa. The menu of services is long, offering treatments from massages to a mani/pedi to facials and hair styling. One of the women in my group got her hair cut and styled, and it looked beautiful. Their staff is really exceptional.

Wine, Champagne, and Cocktail Tastings

I participated in a Champagne Tasting with the ship’s sommelier. This was not only a delicious presentation, but truly informative. We tasted several champagnes, comparing as we went, learning about which one paired best with which foods.

Lectures

I attended a lecture on AI and left reeling from everything I learned. I’m still not happy about what it’s doing to my industry or the arts, but I can now see a lot of benefit in so many other industries. We shall see.

I missed the other speaker, Dr. Ludger Brüning, who spoke on several topics, including the rich history of New York (our starting port) and The USA: Founding and Development.

Tip: You can always watch any lecture you miss on demand in your room. Speakers change on every sailing, so be sure to look at the Programme once you’re on the ship.

Culinary School Cooking Class

A cooking class on the high seas? Yes, please. This was one of the highlights of the trip for me. Chef Malte Meeuw guided us as we learned to prepare beef tartare — a dish I thought I didn’t like, but happily discovered otherwise — along with a fantastic take on the American cheeseburger.

The secret was in the cheese sauce – no slices of cheddar here, and the homemade burger sauce. Let’s just say I wished I’d shown more foresight and taken the other half with me – it was that good!

Relax in the Pool Area

The pool is on the main deck and is covered, so you can enjoy it any time of day. When the weather is warm, the cover can be opened so guests can enjoy the pool in open-air. There are also loungers around the deck if you prefer to enjoy relaxation with a view.

Guided Art Tours

We were so lucky to be on the ship when the gallery owner, Annette Schneider, was on board. She took us around the ship on a tour of the vibrant art from her new exhibit, As Far As the Eye Can See.

Many very well-known pieces adorn the walls of the Europa 2, including art from German Rock icon Udo Lindenberg, and English artist Damian Hirst, widely regarded as the United Kingdom’s wealthiest living artist.

Golf Simulator

I spent some time trying to improve my game using the golf simulator. It was fun, but I now wish I’d taken a lesson with the onboard pro as I wasn’t very good at understanding the results, other than the fact that I need to practice more. A lot more!

Did you know Hapag-Lloyd Cruises offers golf-themed cruises where you can play at some of the most amazing courses in the world? Tip: You don’t need to bring your clubs to use the golf simulator, as you’ll find both men’s and women’s clubs available to borrow.

Live Shows

When I was on the ship, we were treated to several musical concerts, like a classical piano duo, an ocean pianist, vocal performances, as well as dance shows with elegantly designed costumes and world class choreography.

Note: Though we only saw a couple of families with children on this cruise, Europa 2 does offer a kids club and a teens club. One of the families told us their children couldn’t wait to go to the kids club for a bit each day, so it really does make a great family vacation, too.

What To Expect in Ports of Call

As with any cruise, the Europa 2 excursion program has a lot to choose from. This cruise began in New York City, with that iconic panorama as we sailed away.

I took an excursion in Baltimore to see the Walters Art Museum and the American Visionary Art Museum.

You could choose from walking and biking tours through Washington, D.C., a trolley tour, and several others while in port in Baltimore. Each port has several choices, including guided tours before the ship leaves port.

In New York City, you could choose from many tours, including the Radio City Music Hall tour or Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Of course, you can always design your own shore excursions. Just be sure to return to the ship in plenty of time if it is sailing that day.

Where do you want to go? The Europa 2 cruise ship offers itineraries all over the world, from Africa to the Western Mediterranean. Check out all the itineraries for Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Europa 2, and let me know if you have questions.

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Meet the author

Welcome! I’m Kelly!

Writer, Traveler, Lover of good Food and Wine.

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