by Jason Leppert
Last updated: 12:00 AM ET, Wed September 13, 2017
Beginning Wednesday, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises will enhance its EUROPA and EUROPA 2 luxury ships to launch fresh into October 2017.
"During our ships' docking periods, not only do we carry out the necessary technical maintenance but also complete various renovations on board that then have a direct impact on our guests and enhance their cruise experience - whether this involves adding a new bar, redesigning the spa, or giving another area a makeover," said Karl J. Pojer, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, in a press release.
"When implementing this work, we take into account what our guests want and need, however, we also follow current trends."
Both ships will dry-dock at the Blohm+Voss shipyard in Hamburg, Germany with EUROPA 2 going in September 13-27, followed by EUROPA from September 27-October 13. They will be maintained and technically enhanced.
"We are very pleased and proud to be able to welcome the luxury ships EUROPA 2 and EUROPA back to Blohm+Voss this year," added Dieter Dehlke, Managing Director of Blohm+Voss, in the release.
"These important projects will once again put our refit and repair expertise to the test, requiring us to meet all our customers' requirements and deliver the two ships within the agreed time frame and budget. We have worked successfully with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises for many years and the upcoming docking periods will allow us to strengthen these ties further."
[READMORE]READ MORE: TravelPulse On Board: EUROPA 2 Review[/READMORE]
EUROPA 2 will redesign the Herrenzimmer gin bar on Deck 4 with a new aesthetic as well as name: Collins. Also being renamed is the Jazz Club to Club 2. The Belvedere observation lounge on Deck 9 will be dramatically redone with access to the library as well as a coffee bar.
Having personally sailed on EUROPA 2, I know the library is not contiguous with Belvedere, as the culinary school and gallery sit in between. It's likely that quite a configuration shift is in order to make the new arrangement possible.
As the ship caters to both German and English speakers, Collins will certainly roll off the tongue easier than Herrenzimmer for the benefit of the latter.
[READMORE]READ MORE: Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Builds Towards New Expedition Fleet[/READMORE]
As for EUROPA, the spa is set to be completely redesigned and outfitted with updated treatment facilities. The ship's 36 suites that do not feature verandas will also receive new bathrooms. From a technical perspective, an Azipod drive-motor computer will additionally be replaced.
Following their respective refurbishments, EUROPA 2 will first embark aboard a five-day voyage to Scandinavia on September 27, and EUROPA will leave for Bilbao in western Europe during a 12-day sailing on October 13.
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