Hapag-Lloyd Cruises will expand its fleet with the addition of two ships: The luxury segment will be enhanced by[ds_preview] a long-term charter for the new »Europa 2«. The new ship is being acquired by a third-party proprietary company outside the TUI group at the French STX shipyard and will enter service in 2013. The charter agreement is being concluded for a period of twelve years.
The premium segment will be growing with the two-year bareboat charter of Oceania Cruises’ »Insignia«. As of April 2012, the ship will be integrated into the Hapag-Lloyd Cruises fleet under the name »Columbus 2« and replace the »Columbus«, which leaves the fleet in spring 2012.
The »Columbus 2«, built in 1998 in today’s STX shipyard in France, has eleven decks and – with 349 cabins – provides room for a maximum of 698 passengers. 28 inside cabins, 89 outside cabins, 170 balcony cabins, 52 penthouse suites and four »Vista« and six »Owners« suites allocate on 181 m length and 25.5 m width. The cabins have a standard size of 20 m2.
The building of the 225 m long and 27 m wide cruise vessel »Europa 2« started with the first steel cut in September 2011. She will accommodate a maximum of 516 passengers on eleven decks and in 258 suites and offers the largest amount of space per passenger on a cruise ship, with all-veranda suite accommodation of at least 28 m2. Furthermore spa, penthouse and family suites complete the accommodation range. Seven restaurants, including a sushi bar, two lounges and four bars will offer culinary diversity.
