Seven Reasons Why Europa 2 Can Command the Luxury Cruise Segment’s Highest Prices–For Now | Travel Research Online

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Seven Reasons Why Europa 2 Can Command the Luxury Cruise Segment’s Highest Prices–For Now

With average per diems of 600 euros per person, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ new Europa 2 is attempting to command some of the industry’s highest cruise fares. Its cruises will cost an American couple — the U.S. is one of Europa 2′s target audiences — around US$12,000 for the privilege of spending six nights/seven days in a 301-square-foot Veranda Suite on the industry’s newest luxury cruise ship.

The pricing is largely unprecedented, although some luxury expedition ships as well as barge vacations in Europe can cost even more than Europa 2. Read about two of my best luxury cruise experiences on French Country Waterways and Silversea Cruises Silver Explorer.

24 hours

For those who can afford it, is the cost of cruising Europa 2 justified?

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ executives are emphasizing a few unique features that certainly will pique the interests of sophisticated, well-heeled travelers.

1. Europa 2 Boasts The Industry’s Highest Space Ratio

Europa 2 has the highest space ratio of all cruise ships. At a press conference on the new luxury vessel this past Monday, company executives displayed a slide showing a space ratio of 76.5. We calculated, and confirmed, even higher, 83. Space enhances the elegance of Europa 2 and reduces the potential for claustrophobia.Nearly all other luxury cruise ships have similar space ratios, but Europa 2 currently leads the pack. By contrast, the world’s largest cruise ships, Oasis of the Seas and its sister Allure of the Seas, have space ratios of around 40. Confused about space ratio? See Nautical Nomenclature: How Space Ratio Affects Your Cruise

Reception Area On Europa 2

Boasting tall ceilings and lots of space, the reception area and lobby on Europa 2. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

2. Serving You: European Food & Beverage Staff

It would be hard to fault Asian servers, the backbone of the food & beverage departments on nearly all cruise lines. They are hard-working, friendly and eager to please. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, however, believes sophisticated travelers will pay more to be served by European, English-speaking food & beverage staff. Whether that is true or not remains to be seen. Some luxury cruise lines have shifted from European staff to Asian dining room and lounge staff with great success. What was apparent during my 24 hours on Europa 2 was that servers were friendly, professional and able to anticipate needs before being asked. About 60 percent of the crew was sourced from other ships within Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. The remaining 40 percent were sourced from other cruise lines and hospitality segments.

Europa 2's food & beverage service staff are mostly bilingual Germans. Hapag-Lloyd's Managing Director Wolfgang Flagel says that the European f&b staff is essential to the brand. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Europa 2′s food & beverage service staff are mostly bilingual Germans. Hapag-Lloyd’s Managing Director Wolfgang Flagel says that the European f&b staff is essential to the brand. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

3. Cruise The Industry’s Newest Luxury Ship

Simply, some cruisers will pay to cruise on the industry’s newest luxury ship. Europa 2′s first booking, in fact, originated eight years ago. In 2005, a passenger on Europa said that if the company ever built a new ship, he wanted to book the largest suite. Eight years later, his wish was granted. There probably are quite a few cruisers who will help Hapag-Lloyd sustain its price point for as long as the ship remains a novelty. Only time will tell whether such pricing can continue.

Wrap-Around Promenade Europa 2

Europa 2 features a wrap-around promenade on deck 9. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

4. Seven-Day Luxury Cruises Will Appeal To Some

For those who have the money and are squeezed for time, seven-day cruises can be more practical than longer itineraries. Europa 2′s itineraries are designed so that they can be combined, however. Up to three itineraries can be put together with no repeating ports of call.

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Europa 2's Bilingual Cruises

Europa 2′s brochures feature seven-day cruises that can be combined, up to three with no repeating ports of call. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

5. Experience Eight Restaurants

Foodies who want choice will appreciate the fact that they can dine in a different restaurant every night — and they’ll need to combine two seven-day voyages to experience all eight dining venues. See Photo Tour: Europa 2′s Restaurants.

One of eight dining venues on Europa 2, Restaurant Serenissima features Italian cuisine. Guests are encouraged to make reservations at the smaller restaurants, such as Serenissima. Reservations can be made only for the next 48 hours. Dining throughout Europa 2 comes at no extra charge, except in Speisezimmer, a private dining venue that can be booked for up to 16 people for €1,500. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

One of eight dining venues on Europa 2, Restaurant Serenissima features Italian cuisine. Guests are encouraged to make reservations at the speciality restaurants, such as Serenissima. Reservations can be made only for the next 48 hours. Dining throughout Europa 2 comes at no extra charge, except in Speisezimmer, a private dining venue that can be booked for up to 16 people for €1,500. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

6. Bathrooms With A View

The two Owner’s suites and the two Grand Penthouse suites are gorgeous, but it was the bathrooms that caused jaws to drop during our tour of Europa 2 this week. All four feature ocean views, with huge whirlpool tubs and daybeds against floor-to-ceiling windows.

Bath with a view, Europa 2

Bathrooms in the Owner’s suites feature whirlpools with ocean views, showers with steam saunas and day beds against floor-to-ceiling windows. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

7. German Engineered, French Built

Europa 2 is German-engineered and French built. In some ways, it is an unlikely marriage, and indeed, we were told that the French could become frustrated when confronted time and again with the German penchant for punctuality and perfection. The end result, however: Europa 2 exudes high quality throughout, evident in the public rooms, staterooms (which the company refers to as suites) and service.

Not included in the cruise fares on Europa 2 are soft drinks, bottled water and alcohol. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Europa 2 aspires to be an international cruise, inspired by Germany. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

Why Some May Not Cruise On Europa 2

Some prospective cruisers may put off by Europa 2′s non-inclusive alcohol packaging, its pricing, its lack of a casino and its smoking policy. Smoking is allowed on verandas and in designated areas, including some in public rooms and lounges. With only 24 hours on board, I was not able to assess the impact of smoking on other travelers.

Who Will Cruise Europa 2

Europa 2 may appeal to cruisers for other reasons that are not exclusive to Hapag-Lloyd: Europa 2′s relaxed dress code (in Germany the company advertises “21 knots without a tie” — SeaDream Yacht Club also has a relaxed dress code); its catering to children with dedicated kids’ activity centers and shore excursions (Crystal Cruises also caters to children); and the on-board international ambience (nearly all luxury cruises have an international ambience; however Europa 2′s is German-inspired).

Initially, the new ship is aiming to attract passengers from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Belgium and the Netherlands. The company is currently analyzing the market potential in Scandinavia.

The largest ship in Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ fleet, Europa 2 needs 516 passengers each week to sail at full capacity. That alone may create future pricing.

The ship will sail on 26 routes with 123 ports of call in four regions of the world — Western and Eastern Mediterranean, the Arabian Peninsula, and Southeast Asia. Up to three itineraries can be combined with no repeating ports.

How Will Europa 2 Handle The Bilingual Element?

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises seems to have thought through every element of the bilingual component, and after hearing details in a press conference, I’m confident that the bilingual aspect will be handled well. On board, German staff spoke and understood English at a high level during my sailing. Only once did I utter a few words that presented a challenge for a German-speaking crew-member (when I ordered whole wheat pasta), but we worked it out with good humor and by pointing. Overall, my 24 hours on board was what you might expect: smooth sailing on Europa 2.

An avid traveler and an award-winning journalist, Ralph Grizzle produces articles, video and photos that are inspiring and informative, personal and passionate. A journalism graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Ralph has specialized in travel writing for more than two decades. To read more cruise and port reviews by Ralph Grizzle, visit his website at www.avidcruiser.com

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