A new EXPERIENCE.tv film: EUROPA 2 insight ‘behind the scenes’

• Monthly delivery to the ship of nearly 6,000 different items
• Also on board EUROPA 2 - a hospital; a florist; and alterations tailor
• NEW EXPERIENCE.tv film "EUROPA 2 - Behind The Scenes" now online at http://www.hl-cruises.com/social-media/experiencetv

The latest EXPERIENCE.tv film has been released allowing a rare view ‘behind the scenes’ of EUROPA 2, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ five-star-plus* luxury cruise ship. British cruise expert Jonathan Beaumont takes the viewer into the ‘crew only’ areas and explains the extensive logistics behind the operation of the luxury cruise ship EUROPA 2.

Every four to six weeks EUROPA 2 takes the delivery of nearly 6,000 different food and non-food items, weighing on average between 100 and 180 tons. Additionally, fresh food items, such as fruit and vegetables, arrive on board once a week. The inventory list contains all the necessities needed to keep the world’s highest-rated cruise ship functioning. For example, it lists alone more than 1,000 EUROPA 2-branded golf balls and - among others - 61 different types of cigars from Cuba, Dominican Republic, and Germany.

Huge variety of alcoholic beverages to enjoy
EUROPA 2 is a ship full of superlatives: There are 450 various cuvees alone – or 19,000 bottles of wine – red and white – originating from 14 different countries - also champagne and sparkling wines to choose from. Furthermore, EUROPA 2 offers more than 20 different vodka brands and nearly 40 different gins, including those from England, Scotland, Germany, France, Austria, the Netherlands and Spain – hosting the world’s largest gin collection floating at sea.

On board facilities include: a hospital, florist, and tailor
The EUROPA 2 features one of the world’s most advanced well-equipped hospitals at sea, run under the supervision of an experienced doctor. On selected voyages, even a dialysis doctor is available - the hospital features three dialysis stations and can take up to six dialysis patients (upon request). Jonathan Beaumont also visits the full-time florist, located on deck 2, who produces all the flower displays throughout the ship. With more than 2,500 flowers in storage (on an average cruise length), this allows the florist also to meet a guest’s individual flower bouquet orders. There is even a tailor on board EUROPA 2: The seamstress is able to make alterations and undertake clothing repairs for the guests. She is also responsible for all crew uniforms on-board – and there are some 22,000 single pieces, ranging from ties, shirts, buttons, and jackets.

Local products – bought at markets ashore, or from fishermen on the high-seas
When in port the ship takes delivery of fresh food and guests often get the opportunity to join the Executive Chef and EUROPA 2 Hotel Manager as they visit markets, sourcing the very best local produce, which is then cooked and served in the restaurants. Due to its small size, EUROPA 2 was recently able to stop on the high-seas en route to Ilha Di Maranhao and buy fresh fish from local fisherman off the Brazilian coast. A total of 130 kilos fresh fish was purchased.

A new EXPERIENCE.tv episode now online: “EUROPA 2 – Behind The Scenes”
In this latest episode of EXPERIENCE.tv, Jonathan Beaumont discovers some of the places a guest just does not get to see. He also joins the executive chef and hotel manager in Barcelona, when they source local, fresh produce. Click here to see the latest film online: http://www.hl-cruises.com/social-media/experiencetv

Hamburg, November 2015