The luxury ship MS Europa 2 infront of the Greek island of Naxos, the third leg of my cruise. What I experienced during the first days on board, you will find here

Half of my childhood I spent on the sea. As a captain for a Hamburg shipping company, my father drove a reefer ship, so-called banana boats, on whose decks I learned to walk and later spent my school holidays on. Atlantic, Caribbean, Pacific – on the world’s oceans around the world. In the opinion of my old master, cruise ships did not count to the true sea voyage. “Floating hotels” was his succinct commentary. The more exciting I was on my first cruise on the MS Europa 2, a 225-meter-long passenger steamer of the luxury category with room for 500 passengers. Our course: from Rhodes to Athens, a five-day spa trip through the Greek Aegean. MyStylery’s diary in four chapters.

Lounger with a view: From the aft deck I enjoy the sunrise

Day 3

The night was mega relaxed, though much too short, because after 48 miles at sea I did not want to miss the early arrival at Naxos coast. Naxos is the largest and greenest island in the Cyclades and is known for its castles and white beaches, which I explore in the afternoon on a 25 kilometer long bike tour. I am relieved that Tom, the bike guide, spares the 1004 meter high mountain Zas. The offered bike tours are by the way between three and five hours long. Price: from 40 Euro. The MS Europe 2 travel concierge offers tours starting at 29 Euros. If you like it more exclusive, book a helicopter trip for 400 Euros. Or discover the goal independently and on your own. Everything is possible.

MyStylery on the way to discover Naxos’ old town

In Naxos I have fallen in love. While Santorini is flooded by the narrow streets of the tourist towns, one can experience Naxos’s silence and relaxation. As before, the island is an insider tip and little visited by cruise ships, since the big pots can not be put here. And the Greeks love their Naxos, where they spend their holidays with their families. Right enough!

Taking a little nap on my suite balcony, accompanied by a glas of Champagne

Back on the boat my stressed feet ask for a time-out: I tail the Pilates-hour in the fitness area and relax on my private balcony. The only noise accompanying me is the rattling of the anchor chain, which is thinned to leak. And the popping of my bottle of champagne, which I now finally open and, with sea view, enjoy. It stops after one glass, because it goes immediately to the gin tasting, in which five gin sorts can be tasted. Now, Gin is not exactly one of my favorite drinks. A sample sip and lots of stories around the juniper schnapps, which is interestingly not in England, but in the Philippines worldwide the most consumed.

The gin tasting is offered for free, in which five gin sorts can be tasted

Friends of the Caviar have marked the Thursday red in the calendar: Thursday is Caviar Night on MS Europa 2 and thus a reason for the only possible queue, which can form on the ship. On this evening, I am actually agreed in the sushi restaurant “Sakura”, but take a trip to the caviar buffet and treat myself at the same time also with some fresh oysters. Add to this a delicious California roll. What a wonderful, culinary mess! In the theater, the New York dance company “The Tap Factor” shines with a quilting performance with an infectious effect: the dance floor in the “Sansibar” is then rocked decently and DJ Pro-Mo plays my favorite song “Meet me half way” by the Black Eyed Peas, which he organized for me. Kind? Kind! Next Stop: Nauplia, 139 nautical miles away.

Thursday evening, the Caviar-Night, there is rush due to the kilo-cans of caviar

Day 4

Do you actually get seasick, I am asked often. Answer: Yes, on small boats. On big ships, It takes storm force 9 for me to feel queasy. The MS Europa 2 has its stabilizers in rough seas, which reduce the rolling movement of the ship during lateral waves, which can be a real advantage in the months of July and August. For in the high summer strong north winds dominate here, which can make the Aegean crazy. At the beginning of June it is fortunately not a concern! Once again, I jump out of bed early and into the 15 meter long pool. A short round swim, at this time only used by one lonely swimmer.

Breakfast in the bathrobe on my suite balcony:

Tea, orange juice and fresh fruit, scrambled eggs with bacon (yummy!), croissants and Danish pastries. Sunshine and an amazing view on top

Just in time at nine I hear some knocking on my door, the room service comes and serves an opulent breakfast on my balcony. Delicious croissants, fresh orange juice, scrambled eggs with bacon and my beloved “Morgentau”-tea from Ronnefeldt. This is the taste of holiday! Unfortunately, I do not even get half of these delicacies, which may be quite good, because there is a fast zodiac tour on the program – motorized high-speed inflatable boats going through the bay and along the steep rocky coast of Nauplia. Afterwards, the boat goes to the mainland for my small country expedition through Nauplia town. By the way, the main cities of the Greek islands always carry the island name. I stroll through Nauplia’s old town and am amazed by the differentness of this island. Here one can feel the former Italian influences, not just in the architecture, which wraps the pretty house facades with their window shutters in colorful colors. More to come on MyStylery!

Down into the depths: The first tender boat is launched to take passengers on shore

Phew! With 32 degrees it is quite hot on Nauplia and I’m glad to escape the midday heat. Let’s go back to MS Europa 2, what many of the passengers do at lunch time. I’m ready for a relaxed snack. If you like freshly grilled, go to the grill station in the restaurant Yacht Club. I enjoy gilthead, followed by a portion of Mozart Praline ice cream. Mmmhhh! Now a lunch break would be a good idea. No time. Unfortunately. Because I have not seen so much on board yet. Neither the cooking school nor the playing field, the cinema or the golf simulator. Instinctively, I land in the boutique and submit the assortment to a quick check. Who has forgotten his cashmere sweater at home, finds one here for cool evenings on the deck guaranteed: Shop ’til you drop!

A little closer to the sky: the glass roof above the MS Europa 2 seawater-pool is opened at good weather

On my tour I hardly meet fellow travelers. Some relax on the decks, others may be on land. I never feel like being surrounded by a lot of people, which is certainly because the MS Europa 2 has the largest room offer per passenger on a cruise ship. If you are looking for loneliness on board, I recommend the aft deck of the spa area, which is hardly visited in this heat. Also on the other decks it goes relaxed, with a bit luck you find a place in the chic shell-cots of Dedon. Stewards serve refreshments, tea, coffee and iced tea variations are free on board.

A culinary highlight is the freshly baked waffles with cherries and vanilla ice cream

A culinary highlight is the freshly baked waffles, which are served in the afternoon on the pool deck. Every day with a changing topping or the classic: cherries with vanilla ice cream. But since I soon “must” eat again, I enjoy half a portion! My farewell at the restaurant “Tarragon”, the French brasserie of MS Europa 2. At beef tartar and lamb fillets a small resumée of my trip. It was nice, though (too) brief. Because at night, we arrive at the port of Athens, the last leg of my small cruise.

My farewell at the restaurant “Tarragon”, the French brasserie

MyStylery’s Conclusion:

A cruise can be much more than I initially thought. I like the relaxed atmosphere on board very much, as well as the contemplative life on board. Even though this is different from the sailings of my childhood, where I have often seen nothing but water for days. At some destinations I get first insights from the country and people, which can be deepened on a next trip. Concerning other destinations, I felt the length of stay was sufficient. Many impressions I take with me and am now looking forward to my stay in Athens. To mention the financial aspect: exclusivity has its price – with just under 5,000 Euros per person for a one-week trip.
I was so excited about my little cruise and was not disappointed. MS Europa 2 – I’ll be back. Until then I say ship, ahoy!  BvH

The MS Europa 2 in front of the Greek island of Naxos

The tender boats – like here in front of Naxos – are running 20 minutes between MS Europa 2 and the mainland

I explore the island of Naxos in the afternoon on a 25 kilometer long bike tour. Of course I wear a helmet

Back on board I am greeted with a refreshing juice and a cool towel. What a service!

Apropos drink: One of the popular champagne tasting is on the agenda. Price from 90 Euros

The sudden fog has something magical and veils the passing islands

Ready for dinner: Sushi and Sashimi at “Sakura”-Restaurant

… The caviar night the same evening I can not miss …

… Just as the beautiful sunset

Good to know:

Waste into the sea? No way! MS Europe 2 has a sewage treatment plant. Inorganic waste such as glass is shredded or plastics are compacted and disposed of on land. Waste packaging waste is chilled and paper burned directly on board.

If you need more space than in the 35 square meters large veranda suites, book a suite of the other six categories. For example, the owner or penthouse suites. They are situated in the upper decks, offer up to 114 square meters (including porch) and include, if desired, a butler service

Here’s a view into my bathroom, which is equipped with bathtube and shower

Forgot your floss? Do not worry! Here’s everything you need

The Zodiac fleet of MS Europa 2 – named after Hamburg’s districts

On a Zodiac tour the wearing of the life jacket is mandatory

Beautiful ship: The MS Europa 2 shooted from zodiac-perspective

In the small, but fine gym, the many calories on board can be burned on Technogym equipment – again with a wonderful view to the turquoise water

Shopping in the board boutique: Liebeskind, Escada, Hilfiger. Shop ’til you drop – but for customs reasons however only on sea days

In the mood for a shuffleboard tournament under the Greek sun and view to the bay of Nauplia?

The MS Europa 2 is popular with families with children: there is a kids- and teens club and family suites. The parents then enjoy their time off on the loungers

The motto aboard the MS Europa 2: “Luxury in casual ambience”

On the sun deck, Steward Mohamad serves cold refreshments – in the background, Dedon’s cozy daybeds

At the icecream buffet: Even if the impression is made, I have not only been eating on board the MS Europa 2

Please disinfect hands before entering onboard restaurants! Nowhere do bacteria germinate faster than on cruise ships

Cruise News:

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has commissioned the construction of two luxury expedition ships in the five-star segment, the Hanseantic Nature and the Hanseatic Inspiration, which will be launched in 2019.

Below the bridge – the command center of the ship – I observe the departure

Reflections of the front ship in the bridge’s windows …

… From there you can watch the berthing

The porthole and I

Two florists care for fresh flower arrangements on MS Europa 2

Again round forms that remind you beeing on a ship …

… also good to capture reflecting sunsets

A small resumée of my trip by beef tartar …

… and lamb fillets: It was nice, though (too) brief

The tugboat tows the MS Europa 2 at night to the berth in Athens

MyStylery ready for departure – disembarkation – as it is called in the language of the sailors

αντίο – bye, bye, MS Europa 2

Contact MS Europa 2:

www.hl-cruises.de

I was invited to this cruise as part of a blogger trip by Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.

The post My cruise aboard the MS Europa 2 – Part II appeared first on My Stylery.

Passing Rhodes’s historian city wall and the marina to MS Europa 2

Half of my childhood I spent on the sea. As a captain for a Hamburg shipping company, my father drove a reefer ship, so-called banana boats, on whose decks I learned to walk and later spent my school holidays on. Atlantic, Caribbean, Pacific – on the world’s oceans around the world. In the opinion of my old master, cruise ships did not count to the true sea voyage. “Floating hotels” was his succinct commentary. The more exciting I was on my first cruise on the MS Europa 2, a 225-meter-long passenger steamer of the luxury category with room for 500 passengers. Our course: from Rhodes to Athens, a five-day short trip through the Greek Aegean. MyStylery’s diary in four chapters.

The old, four-kilometer-long city wall of Rhodes town, a Unesco World Heritage

Day 1

I leave Berlin at 30 degrees and bright sunshine and land on Rhodes in the southern Aegean Sea with rainy 20 degrees and grey sky. At the airport a friendly English-speaking taxi driver picked me up, who proved to be a perfect tour guide on the half-hour drive to the port. We pass the old, four-kilometer-long city wall of Rhodes town with its towers, fortress bastions and tombs before the driver drops me off at the berth of the MS Europa 2 directly in front of the gangway. When I arrive at the port, I pass security checks along with hand luggage – a procedure like at every airport. And soon I have the first bubbly in the hand, while I am at the front desk on deck 4 check in.

Rezeption and Lobby welcome guests with modern, luxurious design

My Veranda Suite: One of a total of 251 suites on the MS Europa 2

When I enter my 35 square meter porch suite (with outside balcony!) on deck 5, my luggage is already there. A fast service, which I miss in several luxury hotels. A short cabin scan: For the suite design, the Interior-team combined high-quality materials in beige and off-white tones with light wood. At the top of my favorites list is the walk-in wardrobe with lots of storage space. The spacious, mosaic-tiled bathroom with shower, bathtub and a generous range of personal care products is also available. My personal highlight is however the outside balcony. Here I will later bottle my bottle of welcome champagne, I suppose. Two hours to the sea rescue exercise – enough time for a small country trip through Rhodes’s enchanting old town. What I am experiencing here, I will soon report in a Rhodes extra.

There is enough time for a small country trip through Rhodes’s enchanting old town

Back on board, there is hardly time to air-sweep, because I am already in my orange-colored rescue vest, in which I look a bit like SpongeBob and just hear the security officer say that straighteners and curling irons from the cabin steward are collected as possible burners. Good to know! And yes, there is room for each of the 500 passengers in rescue boats: one should listen carefully, if the ship horns sound seven times short and once long. In the next round trip, over the seven passenger decks, past the pool, the six specialty restaurants, various bars, including the Sansibar, the theater and the jazzclub, the gentile and the spa, I wonder where I am right now? Ah, yes, at the MS Europa 2. Of a ship reminds me here at most the view outside. Would I be able to get around without the discreet signs on board?

Me as SpongeBob in my rescue vest. You can not alway look good

In the evening I dine in the Asian “Elements”, one of six specialty restaurants, which are all included in the price, but require a previous reservation. A passenger of the MS Europa 2 will hardly suffer a famine, because the food is eaten theoretically around the clock and at a high level. If you miss the essence, go for club sandwich, pasta or sansibar’s legendary currywurst to the bar of the same name, or order the 24/7 roomservice. After the dinner, the passenger awaits the nightly entertainment in the theater: On the program “Musical Moments”. A showact – without a show. I do not worry. The actual theater takes place outside. At 11 o’clock local time, we set off under triple, penetrating ship horn’s signal and the ship’s own song „We are the sun“. Next stop: Santorini.

Mmmhhh: Lobster with papaya salad in the “Elements” restaurant

Distance from Rhodes to Santorini: 48 nautical miles. Bye, bye Rhodes!

Day 2

The early bird catches the worm, I tell myself, when my alarm clock dries me at 6 o’clock in the morning from the bunk – the very comfortable master-bed. From here I can look at the sea and watch as the MS Europa 2 seems to float above the water. I go to my balcony and look at the sunrise. This pink-gold shimmering light that blends the smooth sea and the sky into one. I listen to the water and the waves. And there it is, this typical, so familiar, deep-roaring engine noise of the ship that I know so well from my childhood memories, on whose quest I have been. Feelings of happiness.

View from my Veranda Suite and sunrise over Santorini in the morning at 6 o’clock

With the elevator I reach deck 10, sit on the daybed and look at the islands that have passed. No one can be seen far and wide. The ship belongs to me. The rugged, brown rocks of Santorini are already visible, and the outline of the white houses with the famous blue domes, which stretch over the hills of the still active volcanic island, like pearls on a cord. Underneath I hear cutlery rattles from the “Yacht Club” restaurant. At this time you get one of the coveted outside seats.

Very coveted: An outside table with “sea-feeling” at the “Yacht Club” restaurant

My stomach is ready and suddenly I am already at the seemingly one hundred meters long breakfast buffet and before the agony of choice: I say no to egg dishes, the many bread and rolls, the salmon and sausage variants, the cheese buffet and other seductions. With muesli and fresh fruit, a green smoothie and “morning dew”- tea, I watch as the MS Europa 2 drives in front of Santorini, because there is no free berth for the ship.

From my Veranda Suite I see the rocks of Santorini – in the back I can see the outline of the white houses with the famous blue domes

One of the two 2 ton heavy anchors is let into the water under a powerful dive. A short time later, the first tender ship will be equipped with passengers who are equipped with a landing gear. I’m there and no 15 minutes later on Santorini. The island of Cyclades corresponds to the dream of a travel treasure prophecy, which I discover by bus and by foot. My tips and To do’s for Santorini I tell you in a special about the island. At this point only so much: Without hat, sunglasses, light protection factor 50 and some patience with the crowds of Asian travel groups nothing is possible here.

Santorini is the dream of a travel treasure prophecy

Had I already mentioned it? We left the bad weather front of Rhodes behind us. Instead pleasant 25 degrees, which let me enjoy my lounger on my suite balcony in the afternoon for the first time. As soon as I’m a little dozed off, it means to get changed for the evening program. Apropos change: The dresscode on board MS Europa 2 is very relaxed and casual. Surely, flip-flops in the evening are a no-go, but the tie can stay at home, too. Well-dressed women are always a feast for the eyes, so my tip for the ladies: grab your favorite dress or white pants with a chic tunic and leave the big robe.

Before going to the restaurant “Serenissima”, I enjoy the golden light of the sunset

In my currently favorite outfit, I walk to the “Serenissima” for dinner, go for the care of the friendly staff and a culinary journey through Italy: antipasti, homemade pasta and lobster on artichokes. There is always a fresh sorbet on the MS Europa 2, which is optionally filled with vodka or champagne. Guess what I choose?

And again lobster: this time with artichokes. Delicious!

Those who prefer to go ashore have the opportunity to do such until 11.30pm. Then the last tender boat goes from Santorini to the MS Europa 2, before we start at midnight with starry skies and calm sea to Naxos. A last look at the flashing lights in the hills of Santorini, before I review the day with my bedtime candy – white cranberry chocolate with red pepper. BvH

Read part II of my cruise experience, coming soon. Here are some more impressions for you …

Berth in Rhodes harbor: The MS Europa 2 with its eleven decks

My Veranda Suite: The suites are all equipped with internet-enabled TV, Samsung Tablet PC, telephone, included minibar, hairdryer and save. A Nespresso machine is available to the guest, free of charge. But unfortunately no tea! Too bad you did not think of tea drinkers like me

The MS Europa 2 runs under the Maltese flag

A visit to the Captain of MS Europa 2 on the bridge. Why Christian van Zwarmen is going to sea, although he wanted to become an architect, you will read in the interview – coming soon on MyStylery.com

View from the ship’s bridge to Rhodes’s old town and a chic private yacht

Also nice: The marina of Rhodes

In the evening we go to the sushi restaurant “Sakura” …

… or to Asian restaurant “Elements”…

…or into the restaurant “Weltmeere”…

… or to the restaurant “Serenissima” – four out of a total of six board restaurants on the MS Europa 2 …

…where one can eat homemade Spaghetti Vongole

How about a nightcap at the Jazzclub?

Good to know:

13 to 20-day long-haul travels are offered during the winter months, while the MS Europa 2 travels on seven-day, combinable journeys during the summer. A one-week trip through the Aegean costs 4,920 Euros per person in the Veranda Suite including flight.

Blue hour at the Sansibar…

… a cooperation with the legendary Sansibar on Sylt island, to which this XXL-photo reminds …

…and where Barkeeper Mehmet mixes great Cocktails

Performances every evening in the theater of MS Europa 2

Morning mood infront of Santorini dipped from my Veranda Suite

Favorite place on the aft deck with cool daybeds

21 knots maximum speed drives the MS Europa 2, which has been traveling on the world’s sea since 2013

Cruises are becoming more and more popular: over the next ten years some 60 new ships will be built. Nevertheless, only 0.2% of all ships worldwide are cruise ships

Early morning bird – Not once do I feel that 500 passengers are on board

On the MS Europa 2 there are enough beach chairs. Linen provided with towels are frowned upon and the towels are removed accordingly

Early getting up was worth it: the ship belongs to me!

The glass roof above the pool of MS Europa 2 is opened at good weather

I can’t get enough of the blue Aegean!

With the tenders it goes straight over to Santorini. What I experience there, I tell you in one of the next stories here on MyStylery! Don’t miss part II of my cruise on MS Europa 2

Contact MS Europa 2:

www.hl-cruises.de

I was invited to this cruise as part of a blogger trip by Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.

The post My cruise aboard the MS Europa 2 appeared first on My Stylery.