Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Plans 2027 Refurbishments for Europa Ships
Following its yard visit, Europa 2's spring 2027 season is scheduled to include maiden calls in Western Australia, Papua New Guinea and Palau.
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises will send Europa and Europa 2 into drydock in 2027 for refurbishment, technical upgrades and maintenance. Europa 2 is scheduled to enter drydock in Singapore in January, followed by Europa in Bremerhaven in the fall.
The announced work includes new color schemes for approximately 250 suites aboard the 500-guest Europa 2, along with changes to restaurants and public spaces. Plans for the 400-guest Europa are not yet final.
Europa 2’s atrium and piano bar will be modernized, while specialty restaurants Sakura and Elements will receive visual updates. Elements is also set to expand its dining concept.
“We change what can be improved. We invest in what creates new opportunities. And we preserve what makes our ships unique,” said Isolde Susset, managing director of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, who is due to retire at the end of 2026.
Hapag-Lloyd said guest expectations, changing ideas about luxury and advances in technology are guiding the projects.
Built by STX France in Saint-Nazaire, the 42,830-gross-ton Europa 2 entered service in 2013. Europa is the older and smaller vessel: the 28,890-gross-ton ship entered service in 1999 after construction at Kvaerner Masa-Yards in Helsinki.
Hapag-Lloyd plans to release further details of both refurbishment programs over the coming months. After its yard visit, Europa 2’s spring 2027 season is scheduled to include maiden calls at destinations in Western Australia, Papua New Guinea and Palau.
