EUROPA 2 Named On Port Of Hamburg’s 824th Birthday
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ newest ship EUROPA 2 was named in a ceremony in Hamburg coinciding with the port’s 824th anniversary on May 10, 2013. From May 9th to 12th, 2013, more than a million people are expected to be at one of the largest maritime festivals in the world.
At around 7:00 pm local time, the EUROPA 2 embarked on a twilight voyage – with the city of Hamburg as its backdrop – sailing to her christening site near the riverside district of Blankenese. Godmother Dana Schweiger (entrepreneur and former model) officially gave the new ship her name at 9:36 pm. “I christen you the EUROPA 2 and wish you and your crew good voyages and safe returns, and may there always be enough water beneath your keel,” said Dana Schweiger.
Dr Wolfgang Flägel, Managing Director of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises: “This is a special moment for our company and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved for their commitment. I am certain that the EUROPA 2 will raise the bar in the luxury sector with its modern interpretation. We wish the ship and her crew safe journeys and enthusiastic passengers.”
After a fireworks display, observing tradition, the godmother presented the neck of the bottle to EUROPA 2 Captain Friedrich Jan Akkermann.
The fully-booked, 14-day maiden voyage departs on May 11 from Hamburg and will sail to Lisbon via Amsterdam, Antwerp, Honfleur, La Rochelle, Bordeaux, Bilbao and Leixoes (Porto).
EUROPA 2 Stats:
Cruise Line: Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
Launched: 6 July 2012
Year Built: 2013
Decks: 11
Passenger Capacity: 516
Gross Tonnage: 39,500
Length: 225.25 m
Beam: 26.7 m
Speed: 21 knots
Outside Cabins: 258
Builder: STX Europe (St. Nazaire)
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Nothing against what is sure to be a truly top tier ship in true HAPAG Lloyd tradition. I just wish they had chosen a more original name than “Europa 2”, with all of the line’s long heritage, it would have been nice to see something historical like BERLIN, NEW YORK, HAMBURG, or ALBERT BALLIN. Minor nitpick, since at the end of the day, the name really has nothing at all to do with the onboard experience. It just seems to suggest a lack of imagination – or that EUROPA has such a strong following, the name of the ship might be starting to eclipse the brand equity of the cruise line itself.
I do agree with Rob about the name. HAMBURG would have been perfect, had Plantours not stolen it for the ex-C. COLUMBUS. But it I do think you’re right about the EUROPA name being a brand in itself. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises do have the problem of their brand operating in multiple market segments (luxury for the EUROPA, premium for the COLUMBUS 2 and expedition for the HANSEATIC and BREMEN), and perhaps they felt that the only way to make sure the public percieve the new ship as a luxury ship was to name it EUROPA.
EUROPA 2 gives an instant recognition to the product, even though German registry is not the option, BREMAN might have been nice. How about
KAISER WILHELM der GROSSE a trend setter, a speed queen in her day, long, long ago, North German Lloyd was she? Still, a catchy name. Right? LOL
Ken: I don’t think references to Imperial Germany are exactly politically correct these days. 😉
Also, come to think of it, from Rob’s list BERLIN is also technically out-of-bounds, as FTI Cruises have FTI BERLIN in their fleet. NEW YORK would perhaps be too American for Hapag-Lloyd… finally, there is actually an ALBERT BALLIN in the Halo fleet if I remember correctly – but it’s an aeroplane rather than a ship.