MS Europa (1999)

The Europe in Hamburg harbor

✠ GL 100 A5 E1, Passenger Ship with Cabins

IMO 9183855

The Europa is a cruise ship in the shipping company Hapag - Lloyd Cruises. It is the now the sixth ship to bear this name and the only cruise ship that was twelve times " 5-star -plus " by the British cruise guide " Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships" in a row with the category worldwide.

History

Construction and commissioning

In November 1997, Hapag- Lloyd commissioned the Finnish Kvaerner Masa Yards in Helsinki to build a relatively small cruise ship, which are provided as a service in Europe in 1999 and was intended to replace the eponymous predecessor ship. The award of the contract to the yard and came about because German companies would not have been able due to their orders, deliver the ship on time. In the technical leadership of the project with the hull number 495 shipyard and shipping company were supported by the Finnish engineering company "Delta Marin ". The interior was designed by the Norwegian naval architects Petter Yran and Björn Storbraaten. The official keel laying of Europe took place on 26 June 1998; the first sections of the vessel were brought into the building dock on 17 November 1998. On 4 March 1999, the floating and laying on the outfitting was done. After the successful test drives Europe could be handed over on 9 September 1999 to Hapag -Lloyd. On 15 September 1999 the ship in Hamburg by Gabriele Frenzel, wife of the then CEO Michael Frenzel was baptized.

Reconstruction measures

During their service life, the Europe was rebuilt several times. After about a year, changes were made to the suites and the spa. The casino on deck 4 was closed for lack of acceptance and transformed into a gallery. In 2004, major actions were carried out at the Blohm Voss. Before the chimney gym was located. In addition, the " Zanzibar ", a golf simulator and stowage points for inflatables were set up on the two upper decks.

For the 10th anniversary of its entry into the Europe was extensively renovated and modernized in the Dock 10 of Blohm Voss in Hamburg. The suites have been redesigned, the Penthouses rebuilt and performed maintenance on lifeboats and drive.

Use

After a short cruise guests during the christening Europe ran on September 17, 1999 on her maiden voyage, which resulted from Hamburg to Malaga. Meanwhile the ship for cruises around the world is used. The 2010/2011 carried out during World trip took 159 days from Dubai to Southeast Asia, Oceania, Hawaii, the U.S. West Coast, the Panama Canal and the Atlantic to Lisbon. Since the Europe compared to other cruise ships is relatively small, it can also control objectives that are off the classic routes (eg the Amazon).

Incidents

Because of a defect in one of the four main engines of Europe was launched on 6 April 2010 for a planned duration of three weeks in a shipyard in Singapore. To install the new motor, the hull had to be opened. When the 85 -ton motor installation this, however, was heavily damaged. As a result, the scheduled drydock period and several extended cruises from falling. In mid-June 2010, the Europe for use again.

Machinery and drive

The Europe is equipped with a diesel-electric machinery. Four series diesel engines (two 8-cylinder and two 7- cylinder engines) MAN B & W drive at a speed of 514/min generators from ABB, develop an electrical output totaling 28,900 kVA. They supply the entire ship with electrical energy. Electricity generation is according to load, depending on the energy required, the motor - generator units are switched on or off. To ensure safe operation, the machine system is technically and spatially divided into two independent groups. The operation of the machine and drive system is fully automated and is monitored from the control room on deck 3.

As one of the first cruise ships to Europe was equipped with two hanging under the fuselage propeller gondolas of the type ABB Azipod. In each gondola is an electric motor which drives a 4-blade fixed pitch propeller with a diameter of 4.50 m. The propellers are aligned towards the front ( tractor propeller ) and turn up to 160/min. Since the nacelles can be rotated 360 °, it takes power the electric motors via slip rings. Previously, the yard had only the Elation cruise ships ( hull number 491 ) and Paradise ( hull number 494 ) equipped for the U.S. cruise operator Carnival Cruise Lines with this technique. In contrast to these vessels the hull of Europe, however, was designed from the outset on this type of drive and optimized.

To assist maneuvering in ports and at low speeds, two transverse thrusters the Norwegian manufacturer Brunvoll with an output of 800 kW (approx. 1,090 hp) are installed in the bow of the ship. To reduce roll and pitch motions in rough seas, the Europa has a pair of fin stabilizers with an area of ​​11 square meters each, which were manufactured by the Italian Fincantieri shipyard.

The treatment of fresh water on board is provided by two steam generators and a reverse osmosis system.

Cabins and onboard facilities

The 204 cabins of Europe are exclusively suites with separate living and sleeping areas, two of which are equipped with facilities for disabled people. They are divided into ten award categories. Depending on the size, location and amenities "Veranda Suite ," " Penthouse Deluxe Suite", "Penthouse Grand Suite " and " SPA Suite" is between "Suite " distinguished. Each passenger is assigned an e -mail address during the cruise on board. The area ratio of the Europe is 70.8 GT / passenger.

The public areas of the ship are located primarily on the " Europe - deck " inside the fuselage. From the seven -story atrium amidships is achieved with two panoramic lifts the upper decks. In the front part of the " Europe - Board" is the " Euro- lounge ", which is equally used as show stage and concert hall. The three restaurants of Europe are in the rear, the bars and the " Clipper Lounge " located amidships. The wellness area is located on the "Sport Deck". The main pool of the ship ( " Lido Pool" ) is one of the largest of its kind on cruise ships. It is 15 m long and 5 m wide and forms the pool bar the center of the " Lido Deck". The pool can be covered and used as a stage. At the front there is the " Club Belvedere ", a library and an auditorium for lectures and film screenings. In the rear area of the " Bellevue decks " the " Zanzibar " is. It was created in collaboration with the eponymous restaurant on the island of Sylt. On the " DF Deck" a nudist area was established.

Amenities in Europe also serve 13 rigid inflatable boats (called " Zodiacs " ), which are used for landings and special excursions.