Andrea’s Time with Hapag-Lloyd – Europa 2
Day 1: 07 Feb 2025 – Arriving in Hong Kong
After an overnight flight from Hong Kong via Singapore, I finally arrived. I flew with Singapore Airlines, and they were excellent—attentive staff and great service throughout the journey.
For my pre-cruise stay, I checked into the Marco Polo Kowloon Hotel, a lovely hotel in a fantastic location. A nice surprise awaited me at check-in—I was upgraded to a Harbour View room, which made for a beautiful welcome to Hong Kong.
Tomorrow, I board the very beautiful Hapag-Lloyd Europa 2 and cruise to Vietnam. It’s always a good idea to arrive the day before a cruise to avoid any stress from possible flight delays.
Day 2: 08 Feb 2025 – Boarding Europa 2
I spent the morning enjoying Hong Kong before heading to the ship in the afternoon. Seeing Europa 2 dock the night before was a thrill—I could almost reach out and touch her from my hotel.
Boarding at 4 PM was smooth and hassle-free. The Hong Kong Ocean Terminal is surrounded by shops, cafés, and restaurants, making for a lively pre-embarkation spot. Once onboard, we were welcomed with drinks and delicious food at the welcome reception.
My cabin on Deck 5 was a wonderful surprise—spacious and beautifully designed, feeling more like a luxury hotel room than a cruise cabin. The large bathroom with a separate bath and shower, plus a walk-in wardrobe, is almost unheard of on a cruise ship.
At 11 PM, we set sail, watching the lights of Hong Kong disappear into the night. It was a stunning departure and the perfect way to start the journey.
Day 3: 09 Feb 2025 – Exploring the Ship
With two sea days ahead, there was plenty of time to explore Europa 2. The morning started with a ship inspection, which showcased the different specialty dining restaurants, including Tarragon, Serenissima, and Elements, each offering a unique culinary experience. I also got to see some of the Grand Ocean Suites, Penthouse Suites, and two-bedroom Family Apartments—all stunning in their own way.
With only 500 guests onboard, the ship offers a true small-ship luxury experience, with an excellent staff-to-guest ratio ensuring that every need is taken care of.
Dinner tonight was at Serenissima, the ship’s Italian restaurant. The food was amazing, and the service impeccable.
Day 4: 10 Feb 2025 – Relaxing at Sea
Sea days are always a favourite—time to relax, enjoy the ship’s facilities, and truly unwind. I had no plans except to take it easy, and that’s exactly what I did.
A highlight of the afternoon was indulging in waffles by the pool at 4 PM, a perfect treat while lounging in the warm sea air. Later in the evening, the ship hosted a Pool Party, which had a great atmosphere and was a fun way to spend the night.
Dinner was at Elements, the ship’s Asian restaurant, where the food was once again outstanding. One thing I love about the dining experience onboard Europa 2 is that the portion sizes are smaller, so you can comfortably enjoy three to five courses without feeling overwhelmed. It really allows you to savour the meal.
Day 5: 11 Feb 2025 – Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
We arrived in Ho Chi Minh City for a two-day stay, offering plenty of time to explore. Today, I took two shore excursions, both offering a great insight into this vibrant city.
The first was a Panoramic City Tour, stopping at key landmarks such as the historic Post Office Building, Reunification Palace, and the Rex Hotel, famously known for the daily press briefings held there during the Vietnam War, known as the “Five O’Clock Follies.” A visit to the bustling Ben Thanh Market provided a real taste of local life—it’s a maze of stalls, and you could easily get lost in there! We wrapped up the tour with light refreshments at the elegant Majestic Hotel.
In the evening, I went on a Sunset Cruise along the Mekong River, which was an absolute highlight. Watching the city lights reflect on the water as the sun set was magical.
Dinner tonight was at Tarragon, the French fine dining restaurant, and it was probably the best meal I’ve had onboard so far.
Day 6: 12 Feb 2025 – A Day Onboard
Rather than heading back into the city, I decided to stay onboard and make the most of Europa 2’s fantastic facilities.
Breakfast at Weltmeere was a great start to the day, with both a buffet and à la carte options. The crepes were absolutely delicious!
In the afternoon, I joined a Gin Tasting Experience, which was a fun and interesting way to learn about different types of gin.
Dinner was at Sakura, the Japanese restaurant, which quickly became one of my favourites onboard. The Chef’s Recommendation Menu was the way to go—five beautifully crafted courses that showcased the best of Japanese cuisine.
Day 7: 13 Feb 2025 – Final Sea Day
Our last full day at sea before arriving in Da Nang.
The morning started with a leisurely breakfast at Weltmeere, where I opted for pancakes—an excellent choice. Later, I attended an Advisor Briefing in the conference room, followed by a relaxed afternoon enjoying the ship one last time. I also popped into the boutique onboard for a little souvenir shopping before packing up for disembarkation.
For our final dinner onboard, I returned to Weltmeere, making the most of the last evening on this beautiful ship.
Day 8: 14 Feb 2025 – Disembarkation in Da Nang
We arrived in Da Nang at 8 AM, marking the end of my time on Europa 2. Disembarkation was quick and efficient, and soon I was on my way to the airport for my journey home: Da Nang → Singapore → Brisbane with Singapore Airlines once again.
Final Thoughts
What an incredible experience sailing on Europa 2! The ship exceeded all expectations with its luxury, exceptional dining, and attentive service. With only 500 guests onboard, the experience felt intimate and personalised, making for a truly special voyage.
A huge thank you to Hapag-Lloyd for the opportunity to experience this stunning ship. It was an unforgettable journey, and I can highly recommend Europa 2 to anyone looking for a luxury small-ship cruise experience.
