A year full of musical highlights: Giovanni Zarrella, Alvaro Soler and many other visionary talents on board the EUROPA and EUROPA

A relaxing summer cruise with Alvaro Soler, festive Christmas magic with Giovanni Zarrella or up close and personal with visionary talents at intimate living room concerts. In 2025, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises presents a programme of musical entertainment that brings celebrated world stars and budding newcomers to the stage in a highly personal setting. On board the luxury fleet – comprising the EUROPA and EUROPA 2 – guests can experience hand-picked artists who give much more than mere performances on board. Each musical act tells a story, conveys a vision and, above all, creates unforgettable musical moments in the exclusive ambience of the two small luxury ships. With a combination of superior comfort on board, fascinating shore excursions and live concerts by exceptional artists, this year’s cruises promise to be a treat for music lovers and discerning travellers alike. 

On this year’s format cruises, including MS EUROPA 2 UNPLUGGED® or Music Waves Stories on board the EUROPA, remarkable musicians will share their works, their inspiration and the emotions behind them in a personal and intimate on-board atmosphere. The shows feature top-quality music and enable guests to meet the artists up close and personal. Musical moments such as these go beyond typical concert experiences and are aimed at an audience that values authenticity as well as unique experiences. But it’s not just the format cruises with a focus on music that rely on first-class artists. Every cruise with the EUROPA and EUROPA 2 features a curated cultural programme tailored to the individual itinerary – which is on a par with the programmes of great concert halls. Around 1,800 artists a year provide inspiring performances and artistic encounters for guests on board the two small luxury ships. 

“The combination of visionary newcomers and established stars shows how diverse the customised music programme in our exclusive on-board environment can be,” says Magnus Hesse, Artistic Director at Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. “We strive to use our private stages to offer emerging talents a space to realise their visions, allowing them to share artistic innovation with their audience and engage in a cultural exchange.”

MS EUROPA 2 UNPLUGGED® with Alvaro Soler and Levent Geiger

While the EUROPA 2 sails from Bilbao to Barcelona through the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea in July of this year, international stars provide exhilarating moments in the MS EUROPA 2 UNPLUGGED® entertainment format. With world hits such as “Sofia”, “La Cintura” and “Magia”, pop singer Alvaro Soler conjures up pure joie de vivre and summer feelings on board under starry Mediterranean skies. The exceptional 21-year-old artist Levent Geiger, a multitalented musician who has already won the hearts of millions of fans with his songs, will also be on board. Geiger has built up a fan base of over six million TikTok followers and one million Instagram followers. Thanks to the singer’s musical talent, he was invited to support the Backstreet Boys on their DNA tour in Europe in 2023. He was also nominated for the prestigious German music award “1 Live Krone” in the category “Best Newcomer Act”. 
Cruise dates from 19 Jul to 30 Jul 2025 (11 days), bookable in the GOLD fare from € 6,890 per person, double occupancy, cruise only, excluding travel package to and from cruise departure points. More information at: https://www.hl-cruises.com/EUX2514

MS EUROPA 2 UNPLUGGED® Christmas cruise with Giovanni Zarrella

Giovanni Zarrella’s warm voice and Italian charm guarantee a wonderful atmosphere full of Christmas magic for the festive season. Whether it’s contemplative sounds or rousing hits like “Ciao!” and “Senza te (Ohne dich/Without you)”, the versatile entertainer knows just how to evoke emotions and captivate his audience. After the EUROPA 2 leaves the Christmas lights of New York behind, the cruise across the Atlantic will continue in warmer climes. In Colon, guests can look forward to tropical heat and idyllic turquoise bays. Cruise dates from 20 Dec 2025 to 8 Jan 2026 (19 days), bookable in the PLATINUM fare from € 15,790 per person, double occupancy, cruise only, excluding travel package to and from departure and arrival points. More information at: https://www.hl-cruises.com/EUX2600 

MS EUROPA Music Waves Stories with Fil Bo Riva and Ian Hooper

Over the Easter holidays, the EUROPA offers an unforgettable break for families on board. The small luxury ship will set course for French hotspots along the Mediterranean coast as well as world-famous cultural cities in Italy. As part of the Music Waves Stories format cruise, guests will be treated to the musician Fil Bo Riva. Born in Rome, the Berlin-based singer has established himself firmly on the European music scene with his own mix of indie rock, pop and soul. His rough and distinctive voice and gripping melodies tell stories of passion, longing and human vulnerability. Cruise dates from 17 Apr to 29 Apr 2025 (9 days), bookable in the GOLD fare from € 5,590 per person, double occupancy, cruise only, excluding travel package to and from departure and arrival points. More information at: https://www.hl-cruises.com/EUR2507

At the end of May, another musical highlight is on the programme when guests on board the EUROPA discover cultural and culinary treasures from Bilbao to Bordeaux. Ian Hooper, internationally known as the frontman of the folk-pop band Mighty Oaks, combines elements of folk, indie and Americana in his music. Alongside his band career, he is also active as a solo artist and released his first solo album last year. In addition, Ian Hooper has demonstrated his impressive talent on renowned festival stages such as Lollapalooza and Rock am Ring. In 2021, the US musician appeared on the TV show Sing meinen Song. This year, he will perform in an intimate living room setting and take the audience on a musical journey through his career. On the cruise from Leixoes (Porto) to Hamburg from 26 May to 9 Jun 2025 (14 days). Bookable in the SILVER fare from € 6,990 per person, double occupancy, excluding travel package to and from departure and arrival points. More information at: https://www.hl-cruises.com/EUR2511