Mystery Luxury Cruises by Hapag-Lloyd

Set sail into the unknown aboard the luxury liner Europa 2. Really – the Hapag-Lloyd cruise ship company has just unveiled plans for it’s first “surprise cruise”, set to start on May 14, 2016, where the destination ports are a mystery!

No one will know where the 10 night journey will go, including the captain and Hapag-Lloyd executives. The only thing known for sure is the cruises will start in Istanbul, and will finish off in the gorgeous port of Athens, Piraeus, Greece. The rest of the journey is up to the captain and passengers, as they will decide the stops in between. Each trip will be a one-of-a-kind, exclusive adventure filled with luxury.

Potential ports are scattered all throughout the Greek islands, like Lesbos and Thasos. Passengers can look forward to chance at docking at the coastal ports of Greece and Turkey, such as Kavala and Kusadasi, respectively.

The German luxury cruise ship, Europa 2, is only two years old, but already has a reputation for being one of the most luxurious and enjoyment-oriented cruisers around! Treats, made fresh, are delivered to cabins daily. After excursions, refreshing drinks are waiting and ready for returning guests. It is no wonder, with all the thought put into every detail, Europa 2 is an elegant and luxury dream of a cruise ship.

The Hapag-Lloyd ship can accommodate up to 516 passengers, and staffs a crew of 370 to service those passengers. It is the highest staff-to-passenger ratio you’ll find in the cruise ship industry. The vessel cost roughly $360 million to build, and is the newest family member of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, based in Hamburg, Germany.

Europa 2 was designed to offer a luxurious but casual experience, as opposed to the formal, suit-and-tie airs aboard the original Hapag-Lloyd cruise ship, the Europa. Many people enjoy dressing for the evening, there are no formal dress requirements aboard the Europa 2, nor are there fixed dinner times, or seating arrangements.

There are six gourmet restaurants and eateries aboard the ship as well. The main restaurant offers popular and delectable food from German culture. Those on board wanting their taste buds to travel, can also find gourmet Asian, French and Italian, including a sushi bar – all at no extra cost. Europa 2 only serves the most decadent and sumptuous wines and liquors, and as such, these beverages are non-inclusive. According to USA Today, Hapag-Lloyd says,

“The quality of wines and other drinks [we] would have to serve offer such inclusiveness wouldn’t be up to the standards [our] customers expect.”

The cabins aboard Europa 2 are spacious and lavish. Spread out over nine decks, the suites are fitted with modern, sleek, and plush designs and furnishings, and are about twice the size of standard cruise ship suites. In fact, the smallest suites start out at 301 sqft, and can range up to 1,000 sqft. Plus, all 251 suites have their own balcony!

This Hapag-Lloyd ship boasts contemporary artwork throughout the ship, likes works by Hirst and Richter. The nine decks of the Europa 2 also include a world-class spa facility, swanky sunning area, and a luxury lap pool. Guests will never have a dull moment aboard this German cruiser, as there is live entertainment hosted at the Jazz club and theater. Guests can grab a drink at one of the many bars, or catch a lesson the at cooking classroom.

Bring along the kids too! Europa 2 is also one of the most kid-friendly vessels on the sea! Seven suites are dedicated family apartments, which offer separate living spaces for kids and parents, connected by a door and shared balcony. Kids will find plenty to do in the children areas on board. There are nannies staffed to see to the children’s needs. The most kid-friendly part – kids 11 or younger sail for free! (ages 12 – 15 pay a reduced rate.)

Fares for the “Surprise Cruise” start out at $5,990 a person. This rate is based on double suite occupancy. For more booking info, head over to the Europa 2 page. For more about the Hapag-Lloyd cruise line, check out their website. For more on this story, head over to USA Today. Would you go on a cruise without knowing the destinations? Let us know in the comments section! Remember to rate, share, and subscribe for all the latest in luxury.