The world’s 13-times highest-rated
cruise ship has finally
been beaten – by its younger
sister.
After 13 consecutive years, Hapag-Lloyd
Cruises’ Europa has lost its winning status in
Berlitz’s ‘Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise
Ships’, only to be overtaken by its sister ship
and total newcomer Europa 2.
Launched this year, Europa 2 scored 1,860
points out of a possible 2,000 in the industryrenowned
book’s rating system, compared to
1,851 points for Europa, placing them first and
second in the small ships category (covering
vessels with capacity up to 750 passengers).
The German sisters were the only recipients
of the 2014 edition’s “5-stars-plus” distinction.
Hapag-Lloyd’s Hanseatic topped the boutique
ships (up to 250 passengers), featured for the
first time in the category’s top ten, and was
the only expedition vessel to be awarded five
stars.
“In the 29-year history of Berlitz ratings,
this is the first time two cruise ships are in
the exclusive 5-stars-plus club,” said author
Douglas Ward, who heads a team that
annually assesses 285 cruise ships worldwide.
“The Europa 2 has also achieved the highest
score ever in the history of the book. She
offers a great space per passenger ratio, much
light through the high windows, an excellent
and high-class culinary choice, and attentive
and unobtrusive service.”
Karl Pojer, chief executive officer of Hapag-
Lloyd Cruises, said they were proud to be
global leaders in the luxury & expedition sector.
“This score is a special distinction for the
crews of the Europa and the Europa 2 who are
setting the bar in the sector with their quality
and service.”
Hapag-Lloyd is represented in Australia by
Landmark Travel – see www.hl-cruises.com.
MEAN WHILE, Europa 2 will sail new waters
as part of its second season in 2014-15, which
was officially released late last week.
Maiden calls will be made in New York City
and Miami in the USA as well as Denmark,
Sweden and Norway along with a series of
four-day cruises in the Baltic and North Seas.
The vessel will also visit Western Europe, the
Caribbean & South America during the season.
Complementing the season and appealing
to its many new markets is the line’s first
ever English language brochure, which is now
available to download from the line’s website.
A total of 167 ports in five regions will be
visited, with many shorter itineraries able to
be combined into longer cruises if required.
