MS EUROPA 2 and MS EUROPA awarded five-stars-plus in the Berlitz Cruising & Cruise Ships Guide 2018

• Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ luxury ships defend their top ranking
• MS HANSEATIC: the world’s only five-star expedition ship
• Berlitz Cruise Guide 2018 available from October 2017

Once again, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ EUROPA 2 and EUROPA are the only cruise ships to receive the coveted distinction of five-stars-plus in the latest edition of the renowned “Berlitz Cruising & Cruise Ships 2018”. This is the fifth time that the EUROPA 2 has been awarded the highest distinction, and the 18th time for the EUROPA. The HANSEATIC was awarded five stars, making it the best “boutique ship”. 

The EUROPA 2 achieved 1,863 of a possible 2,000 points, topping the rankings for small ships with 251 to 750 passengers. Its sister ship, the EUROPA, came in second with 1,852 points.

According to the Berlitz Cruise Guide’s author and cruise expert, Douglas Ward: “the EUROPA 2 and EUROPA are both beautiful ships to sail aboard, with an outstanding amount of space per passenger, passageways with high ceilings, a superb range of dining venues and types of cuisine, and attentive, friendly, yet unobtrusive, personal service” (taken from the Berlitz Cruising & Cruise Ships 2018).

The HANSEATIC expedition ship leads the “boutique ships” with 50 to 250 passengers, receiving five stars and 1,716 points, while sister expedition ship the BREMEN received four stars and 1,495 points.

“We are proud, once again, to have defended our top position with the EUROPA 2 and the EUROPA. These ratings are a special acknowledgement of our services and our quality promise in the luxury and expedition segment”, says Karl J. Pojer, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. “We would particularly like to thank our crew members on board and our employees in Hamburg, who spend every day creating unique and outstanding experiences for our guests.”

Douglas Ward’s team tested a total of 300 cruise ships and scored them based on criteria such as ship fittings, quality, restaurant menus, service, entertainment and the general cruise experience.

Hamburg, September 2017