MS Europa (1999)

For other ships with the same name, see MS Europa.

MS Europa in Stockholm Harbour in August 2013
History
NameEuropa
OwnerHapag-Lloyd
OperatorHapag-Lloyd Cruises
Port of registry
Ordered28 November 1997
BuilderKvaerner Masa-Yards Hietalahti shipyard, Helsinki, Finland
Yard number495
Laid down26 June 1998
Launched4 March 1999
Completed9 September 1999
Identification
StatusIn service
General characteristics [1]
Tonnage28,890 GT
Length198.60 metres (651.6 ft)
Beam24 metres (79 ft)
Draught6 metres (20 ft)
Decks11 (7 passenger-accessible)
PropulsionDiesel-electric transmission with two MAN B&W 7L40/54 and two 8L40/54, 21.6 MW total
Speed21 knots
Capacity408 passengers in 204 suites
Crew275

MS Europa is a cruise ship owned and operated by the German company Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. It is the 6th ship to be named Europa in the company's history. For twelve years in a row, the MS Europa was awarded the title "best cruise ship in the world" by Ward-Ranking and Berlitz.[2][3][4] The previous Europa is currently sailing as the Saga Sapphire for Saga Cruises.

Design

Exterior

Europa was designed as a luxury cruise ship. Europa was one of the first ships designed with the ABB Azipod propulsion system, implemented to reduce vibration towards the stern of the ship.[1]

Interior design and facilities

There are 204 passenger cabins of various sizes.[1]

Facilities include an atrium, casino, dining area, swimming pools, cinema and a gym and spa. The ship also has a designated nude sunbathing deck.[1]

During COVID-19 pandemic, the ship docked in Puerta Vallarta, Mexico. The government announced on 25 March that it would receive cruise ships “for humanitarian reasons,” but that passengers would be individually "fumigated" before being taken directly to airports to be returned to their home countries. The protocol would apply to Europa and other ships in Mexican waters.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "MS EUROPA Ship details Technical details" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 February 2009.
  2. ^ "Five Stars Plus". 26 September 2008. Archived from the original on 15 April 2012.
  3. ^ "2009 Berlitz Ratings Summary" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
  4. ^ "Visit the best ship in the world". 30 September 2011. Archived from the original on 25 October 2011.
  5. ^ "Mexico will receive cruise ships, but fumigate passengers". Associated Press. 25 March 2020.
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