MAY 1, 2013 — STX France has formally delivered the Europa 2 to Hapag-Lloyd Cruises in a ceremony at its Saint Nazaire shipyard. The new addition to the top end of the luxury cruise industry is now headed for Hamburg for a May 10 christening celebration that will be part of the port's anniversary celebrations.

Flag change marked formal acquisition of ship from shipbuilder STX France

"Today is a special day for us," said Dr Wolfgang Flägel, Managing Director of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, after signing the acquisition papers for the cruise ship. By the addition to the fleet of Europa 2, we are acquiring the latest generation of cruise ship, which embodies an entirely new type of luxury cruise at sea. I am certain that we will raise the bar with the Europa 2 in the luxury cruise sector."

With Europa 2, Hapag-Lloyd will be offering a ship that provides all of the amenities of the luxury sector while abandoning the regimentation and such stuffy traditions as the captain's dinner.

With up to 516 guests, the Europa 2 will provide the greatest space per passenger on a cruise ship anywhere in the world. The ship features exclusively suites with verandas and a minimum area of 28 sq. meters. Eight restaurants and six bars are dedicated to serving up culinary diversity and there is a large spa and fitness area. Guests will also have a lot of flexibility in deciding at which hub to join the ship on its various itineraries.

The languages on board will be German and English and Hapag-Lloyd cruises has been making efforts to attract American guests as part of its customer base.

Europa 2 data:
Length:    225.38 m
Beam    26.70 m
Draft:    6.30 m
Total output    24,000 kW
Speed:    21 knots
Passenger decks:    7
Passenger capacity:    516
Suites    251 in total