Two Hapag-Lloyd cruise ships retain unmatched ratings

Luxury cruise ships MS Europa and the MS Europa 2 have retained the distinction of being the only ships to receive the rating of “five-stars-plus” by Berlitz Cruise Guide.

The ratings are reconfirmed in the Berlitz Cruising & Cruise Ships 2018, which will be available in October 2017.

Europa 2 verandah suite
Both operated by Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, the MS Europa has received this highest distinction 18 times while the MS Europa 2 has been awarded the honor five times. Sister ship the Hanseatc was awarded five stars, making is the best “Boutique Ship” and the world’s only five-star expedition ship.

Experts from Berlitz Cruise Guide 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.

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

In the category of “boutique ships” of 50 to 250 passengers, the Hanseatic expedition ship received five stars and 1,716 points, while sister expedition ship the Bremen received four stars and 1,495 points.

“These ratings are a special acknowledgement of our services and our quality promise in the luxury and expedition segments,” Karl J. Pojer, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, said in a statement, crediting on-board crew members and the company’s employees in Hamburg for their continuing efforts to create “unique and outstanding experiences” for the line’s guests.

MS Europa in Moorea
In the soon-to-be-released Berlitz Cruising & Cruise Ships 2018, author and cruise expert Douglas Ward calls the Europa and Europa 2, “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.”

A German company, Hapag-Lloyd offers bi-lingual accommodations on international voyages on the Hanseatic, the Europa 2 and on selected cruises of the Bremen. All documentation including confirmation, travel documents, handbooks, daily programs, on-board menus, announcements and lectures as well as the safety drill and Zodiac instruction are provided in English as well as German.

For more information, visit https://www.hl-cruises.com/

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Photos provided by Hapag-Lloyd Cruises 
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