ms Europa

The 1999-built MS Europa 1 cruise ship is owned by TUI Group (since July 2020) and operated by the German travel company Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. In the company's history, this is the 4th ship named "Europa".

The vessel (IMO number 9183855) is currently Malta-flagged (MMSI 215767000) and registered in Valletta. Previously, the ship was Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 308007000) and registered in Nassau.

History - construction and ownership

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises (Kreuzfahrten) is a Hamburg-based passenger shipping company and premium travel brand owned by TUI AG (shipowner) and managed by its subsidiary TUI Cruises. Between 2017-2020, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises was fully owned by Hapag-Lloyd AG (German-Chilean shipping company, one of the world's oldest), currently ranked the world's 5th largest container shipping line in terms of fleet capacity.

The shipowner TUI AG (Hanover Germany-based) is a British-German multinational currently ranked the world's largest leisure and travel company. It was founded in 1923 and until 2002 was named "Preussag AG". TUI Group's companies specialize in hospitality and tourism services worldwide, with a portfolio including passenger airlines, cruise shipping, package vacations, hotels and resorts, travel agencies, retail shops.

The 408-passenger cruise ms Europa was awarded "best cruise ship in the world" by Berlitz and Ward-Ranking for twelve subsequent years. MS Europa is extremely quiet and no vibration is felt onboard. The propellers and the electric motors are hung in pods beneath hull which improves efficiency by pulling, and not pushing the Europa cruise ship through water. The 650 feet long vessel has a shallow draft and can dock in spots where large ships cannot. MS Europa cruise ship was designed as a streamlined luxury vessel. Her design is compared to other luxury ships' design, such as Silversea Silver Shadow. MS Europa is one of the first featuring ABB Azipod propulsion system, which reduces vibrations towards the stern of the ship.

Service level is a major factor for MS Europa high rankings. The ship claims highest ratio staff-to-passenger in the industry - 280 multi-lingual, young staff serves 400 guests. The primary onboard language is German, English is second. Most of the guests are German. The British, American and Australian passengers are few.

Decks and Cabins

MS Europa staterooms (204 total, in 10 grades) include 152 cabins with step-out balconies. The largest accommodations are the Penthouse Grand Suites (915 ft2 / 85 m2 with the terrace), the smallest are sized 290 ft2 / 27 m2 (balcony included).

All cabins are in suite categories and have separate sleeping and living areas, walk-in closets, mini-bars fully stocked with bottled water, soft drinks, beers (all complimentary and replenished regularly), fresh fruits and champagne, smart HDTVs (infotainment system, Internet, on-demand movies and music). All cabin bathrooms are marble-tiled, with full-size bathtubs, glass-fronted showers, cabinets for personal items, top-brand toiletries, slippers, thick cotton robes.

The boat has 11 decks, of which 8 are passenger-accessible and 5 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

All guests are served single seating in the large panoramic Europa Restaurant and can order à la carte, served by both chef de rang and a waiter. No additional charge is needed for the specialty restaurants: Restaurant Dieter Muller (serving modern dishes), Italian Venezia and Euro-Asian Oriental. Lido Café is suitable for casual dining. There are no long lines. Service is attentive and beverages are brought to the tables. The buffet stations provide a variety of salads, cheeses, cooked foods, and desserts. Pasta and grill specials are presented at lunch and dinner. Club Belvedere features afternoon tea from premium leaves’ extensive selection, served in individual pots with cakes and sandwiches. Also there, classical music recitals take place.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

When launched in 1999, MS Europa had a Casino (gaming lounge), but because it was rarely used, a year later was taken out. Now this space is used for cocktail parties and meetings. Europa Lounge is the place for entertainment and lectures. The boat also features other bars and lounges (Pool Bar, Piano Bar, Havana Bar, Sansibar, Clipper Lounge, Auditorium, Atrium), as well as a library with Internet access. The swimming pool (20x75-m / 66x246 ft) is rarely crowded and partly covered with a glass dome. A hot tub is situated nearby.

MS Europa 1 passengers can also enjoy a fitness room, golf simulator, tennis court, shuffleboard, and driving range, as well as a deck for the guests who like nude sunbathing. The ship features a kids’ playroom (Kids' Club) and Teens' Club, though it is a real adult ship. MS Europa Ocean Spa is not big, but it’s well-equipped and offers full services menu, makeup and hairstylist, solarium and sauna. Other amenities include an Art Workshop, Photo Gallery & Shop, Boutique, Promenade Deck.

Itineraries

MS Europa itinerary program is based on Asia and Europe cruise deals to popular destinations like Southeast Asia (with departures from Singapore and Hong Kong), Middle East (from Dubai), Baltic Sea and Mediterranean (from Germany, Kiel, and Hamburg), with Suez Canal repositioning transits. The Europa cruise ship offers all-inclusive deals and is often ranked as the most expensive passenger ship in the world.

MS Europa cruise ship was one of the first passenger vessels with an ABB Azipod propulsion system, which reduces vibration towards the stern. The vessel's namesake and fleetmate is the new MS Europa 2 (2013).

The vessel (STX FINLAND HELSINKI yard/hull number A159177) is the 6th in Hapag-Lloyd’s history to carry the name. The powerplant is based on ABB TURBOCHARGERS (7100 MP) and MAN B&W marine diesel engines (model 8L40/54) with combined output 13,3 MW.

The current registered shipowner and management company is TUI CRUISES GMBH.

MS Europa was delivered to Hapag-Lloyd Cruises on September 9, 1999, and christened in Hamburg Hafen on September 15th, by godmother Gabriele Frenzel (wife of Michael Frenzel/Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ CEO at the time). The Maiden Voyage/inaugural cruise (Hamburg to Malaga) started on September 17th.

Hapag-Lloyd ships primarily serve German-speaking passengers but they are also popular among international travelers mainly because of the Berlitz travel guides on cruising. Berlitz cruise guidebooks rank MS Europa as the "best luxury cruise liner in the world". She is the only one with a five-plus star rating for more than a decade.

HL's Europa offers sophisticated theme cruises. The list of themed itineraries features culture (arts, literature, music cruises, "Ocean Sun Classical Music Festival" /an annual event at sea), science, family cruises, food and wine cruises. Golf Cruises are another set of themed voyages, on which Europa's guests can benefit from the company of top PGA golf instructors from Germany.

MS Europa drydock refurbishments review

The ship's 2017 drydock refurbishment (September 27-October 13, conducted by Blohm+Voss in Hamburg Germany) resulted in the following changes:

• The entire wellness area (spa and gym aft on Deck 7) was redesigned and renovated. The Gym's fitness equipment was upgraded, as well the Spa's amenities.
• The 36 suites without balconies were upgraded with new bathrooms.
• One of the ship's propulsion units (Azipod motor computer) was replaced.

During drydock 2022 (2-week project by Blohm+Voss, supervised by Trimline) were completely renovated 56 passenger staterooms, including flooring/new carpets, fixed furniture, soft furnishings, light fixtures and fittings.

The previous drydocking was in May 2020, for scheduled maintenance and classification works.

During its drydocking in May 2007, the ship received new SPA Suites. The wellness area in the Ocean Spa was completely redesigned.

The vessel's last drydock was in 2024 (September 13-October 4) conducted at Lloyd Werft Bremerhaven Bremerhaven (Germany). The 3-week project involved 90+ subcontractors, 120 shipyard workers and 265 crew, and included general maintenance works, safety/classification inspections, machinery overhaul, hull cleaning/repainting. Interior works included minor renovations to public areas and facilities (4000 m2/43060 ft2 of new carpets), stateroom updates (130+ suites were redecorated/new color scheme, new armchairs, sofas, carpeting), new lounge furniture, new swimming pool. The Messhall was enlarged and refitted. The old furniture from the ship (sofas, armchairs, chairs) was donated to charities.