EUROPA 2 Family Cruises: Spend the Autumn holidays at Sea

• Musical and drama workshops, golf lessons, stunt workshops and cooking classes for children
• Two Cruise Routes: New York to Progreso and Progreso to La Guaira, both in October 2016
• On-board Concerts by International Award-Winning Violinist Daniel Hope

New York to Progreso
Spend the Autumn holidays on board the EUROPA 2, as she cruises from New York to Progreso. The EUROPA 2 will set off from the Big Apple and call at some of the best-known cities on the East Coast, including Baltimore, Miami and New Orleans. Excursions to the country’s political hub – Washington D.C. – plus the southern city of Charleston and Everglades National Park will allow families to experience the real America.

The Golf & Cruise program on board this itinerary promises fun for the whole family: children six and up can take golf classes and try out the game for the first time, accompanied by the family cruise mascot, Cap’n Knopf. What’s more, a wide variety of activities ensures that nobody will be bored: younger guests can learn to make pizza at the Culinary School, go on their own Zodiac excursions and visit the Captain on the bridge. This cruise also features workshops for children and teenagers run by a real stuntman: René von Hagen. René will reveal some of the tricks that are used by stunt actors in films. And for the adults who are interested in home decor, interior design consultant Katrin Täubig will provide tips for achieving a “Long Island look”.

Progreso to La Guaira
The EUROPA 2’s cruise from Progreso to La Guaira will take guests to historical and cultural sites in Central America to the best Caribbean beaches. The list of spellbinding destinations includes the Maya sites at Chichen Itza, including the Pyramid of Kukulkan, and Seven Mile Beach in George Town in the Cayman Islands. On board, musical performer Verena Nießner will hold music, dance and drama workshops for youngsters who dream of a career on the stage, as well as professional singing workshops for aspiring young singers. There will also be plenty of musical entertainment, as part of the EUROPA 2 UNPLUGGED program, Sonophonic, Fetsum and Thomas Godoj will play acoustic concerts and the British-South African star violinist Daniel Hope will perform his act Vivaldi Recomposed.

Cruising with the Kids
The EUROPA 2 has a wide range of offers for families, including comprehensive childcare for children two and older. A trained childcare team runs a tailor-made program for three different age groups: 2 – 3 years (toddlers), 4 – 10 years (children) and 11 – 15 years (teenagers). Special excursions for children and teenagers, as well as family excursions, help guests of all ages to learn more about the different destinations. On board the EUROPA 2, there are eight family apartments, comprising two separate areas connected by a door. The children’s rooms have bunk beds, separate bathrooms and spaces to play. Families with children under the age of three receive a free baby welcome package on every cruise. On request, baby monitors and travel cot can also be provided free of charge. Babysitters can be booked as a special service, allowing parents to spend a relaxing evening in the restaurant. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises works in exclusive cooperation with the world-famous toy company Steiff, and the family cruise mascot, Cap’n Knopf, is a genuine Steiff bear.

Children 11 years old or under travel free on the EUROPA 2 if accompanied by their parents or two adults. Children between the ages of 12-15 travel for only €60 (£50, $80) per day if they stay in the same suite as their guardians. Travel arrangements to the cruise departure point and from the cruise arrival point, can be booked at reduced rates.

EUROPA 2 family cruise from New York to Progreso, 30 September to 15 October 2016 (15 days), via Baltimore, Charleston, Miami, Key West and New Orleans, from €7,890 ($9,470, £5,920) per person, cruise only.

Further information on this cruise can be found at http://www.hl-cruises.com/find-your-cruise/EUX1630

EUROPA 2 family cruise from Progreso to La Guaira, 13 to 25 October 2016 (12 days), via Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Belize, Puerto Cortes, George Town, Montego Bay, Willemstad and Isla Los Roques, from €6,490 ($7,790, £4,870) per person, cruise only.

Further information can be found online at: http://www.hl-cruises.com/find-your-cruise/EUX1631

A EXPERIENCE.tv episode online: “EUROPA 2 - Cruising with the Kids”
In this episode of EXPERIENCE.tv, cruise expert Jonathan Beaumont explores EUROPA 2 with some of the youngest guests on board. He takes the viewers through all different aspects of family services on board – including the eight family apartments and a banana boat excursion. Click here to see the film online: http://www.hl-cruises.com/social-media/experiencetv/episode-10

* Berlitz Cruising and Cruise Ships 2016