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Europa Review
Europa is quite likely the industry's most intriguing -- and upscale -- cruise ship. No doubt about it, the 28,890-ton, 408-passenger ship is elegant, with lofty ceilings in public areas that lend to a formal, country house ambience, and one of the industry's highest passenger-to-space ratios. Europa's all-outside, almost all-balcony accommodations are plush and spacious; each is designated as a suite. The ship's itineraries are a sophisticated sightseer's dream -- rarely does the vessel repeat one as it makes its way pretty much around the world each year.
Then why haven't you heard of it?
Europa, the flagship of the small-but-distinctive fleet of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, a company perhaps better known for its worldwide cargo business, is German. It's so German that, until recently, folks who failed to speak the language fluently likely never knew it existed. But in recent years the line has made an effort to attract English speaking passengers -- North Americans, Brits, Australians, South Africans and New Zealanders in particular -- by offering specially designated bilingual voyages, in which menus, daily programs, onboard entertainment and enrichment, and on-shore excursions, are offered in English as well as the native German.
Having said that, Europa is most definitely a luxury ship experience geared toward travel with an international outlook, particularly for English-speaking travelers (non-German-speakers are welcome as well on any of the non-bilingual journeys, but won't find as much help in the translation of German to English). And, having signed up for a bilingual cruise whose English aspect was suddenly canceled because it did not attract a minimum of bookings, I'll say this outright: A cruise on Europa can be a bit challenging because while English-speaking cruisers are desired, the line is not as well equipped to deal with their needs (particularly, though not limited to, issues arising before the trip). On our trip, a swing through the Middle East which included a Suez Canal transit before winding up in Piraeus for Athens, there were complications. When we got onboard, we found that though special efforts were made to feature menus in English (many crew did at least speak basic English) we definitely missed out in some areas. The entertainment and enrichment activities, which looked superb and drew standing-only crowds, were offered in German only and so were beyond our comprehension. In the spa, the treatment I'd signed up for was swapped without my knowledge because of language-barrier confusion.
Prior to departing, we had concerns about one of the ports of call: Yemen's city of Aden. Yemen is a country that is firmly on the U.S. Department of State's list of "don't go there" places (which is why you will not find on itineraries offered by U.S. based upscale lines like Regent Seven Seas and Seabourn). When addressed, our questions were basically brushed aside with "well it's not a problem for Germans."
Editor's Note: According to a Hapag-Lloyd Cruises spokeswoman, there is no longer a minimum passenger requirement for the seven bi-lingual voyages Europa takes each year. "All dedicated bi-lingual cruises are fully bi-lingual, no matter if one or 15 English-speaking people join."
And yet despite the challenges our trip on Europa wound up being a cruise of a lifetime and we won't hesitate to return. Facilities were top notch, from the pool deck to the fabulous Sansibar -- a top-deck lounge aft that was recently created in an unused space, and which featured a floor-to-ceiling movable glass wall that instantly brought the outdoors in. Dining, from the buffet restaurant to the alternative eateries, was always a pleasure. And ultimately, despite our concerns about safety as Americans in Yemen, the itinerary was outstanding, in some cases featuring offbeat (and otherworldly) places that I'd otherwise never see on a U.S.-oriented cruise ship.
In a way, our English-only status meant that crew members and officers singled us out, genuinely making an effort to assist and to make us feel welcome. Mingling with passengers was another story -- while Europa attracts the creme de la creme of German society (a sophisticated bunch that presumably speaks English), we felt fairly isolated from them. But as long as you're not looking for a cruise that replicates the country club social scene at home, you won't be bothered. Indeed, we felt as if this was a most un-cruise-like experience with its flexibility and its freedoms, and in the end that was a highlight of our trip.
And speaking of staffers and crew -- service was consistently flawless. I remember in particular the morning when, thrown off by a time difference, I showed up in the Lido for breakfast an hour before the restaurant was open. While I did note that many of the usual dishes weren't yet set out on the buffet (and must have wondered, blithely, if every other passenger onboard was sleeping in that morning!), I took my usual table on the aft deck. A waiter pleasantly brought me fresh orange juice and took my order for a cooked breakfast, which was delivered promptly. I later learned that due to time change confusion I had shown up to the restaurant an hour before it was open! And the fact that the crew so pleasantly accommodated me was graciousness personified, a characteristic that was prevalent in all areas of the ship and at all times.
Ultimately, Europa offered an experience that was a bit of a hybrid between Crystal -- with its variety of facilities and as well a la carte pricing on everything, including liquor --- and Seabourn, which offers more intimate voyages. At the same time Europa was very much its own unique experience, and we'll highlight some of those differences throughout the review.
 Read Complete Europa Review
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Hapag-Lloyd Ships: Bremen • Columbus • Europa
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