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MS Europa in Stockholm Harbour in August 2013
History
Name	Europa
Owner	Hapag-Lloyd
Operator	Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
Port of registry	1999–2020: Nassau,  Bahamas 2020 onwards: Valletta,  Malta
Ordered	28 November 1997
Builder	Kvaerner Masa-Yards Hietalahti shipyard, Helsinki, Finland
Yard number	495
Laid down	26 June 1998
Launched	4 March 1999
Completed	9 September 1999
Identification	Call sign: 9HA5275 IMO number: 9183855 MMSI number: 215767000
Status	In service
General characteristics
Tonnage	28,890 GT
Length	198.60 metres (651.6 ft)
Beam	24 metres (79 ft)
Draught	6 metres (20 ft)
Decks	11 (7 passenger-accessible)
Propulsion	Diesel-electric transmission with two MAN B&W 7L40/54 and two 8L40/54, 21.6 MW total
Speed	21 knots
Capacity	408 passengers in 204 suites
Crew	275

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. 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.

Interior design and facilities

There are 204 passenger cabins of various sizes.

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

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.

References

1. ^ "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.

External links

• Official website
• Professional photographs from shipspotting.com
• "Europa (9183855)". Equasis. Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy.

• Cruise ships
• Ships built in Helsinki
• 1999 ships