Floridiana Posted April 25, 2016 #451 Share Posted April 25, 2016 Just FYI Ships that really cruise in Antarctica must fulfill strict environmental fuel standards. "Ordinary" cruise ships do not. Hapag Lloyd and Ponant ships do. I am glad to hear about the breakfast selections on HL ships. I love Italian and Spanish hams.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Catlover54 Posted April 25, 2016 #452 Share Posted April 25, 2016 Welcome home, Vistaman! Though your trip started out difficult, as it always is with cancelled flights and reroutes, I am glad you then had a good time on the E2, counting your blessings that you were not at the Brussels airport when the Islamists struck. Wallets, of course, should not disappear either :( There are so many flight cancellations and major delays on flights from US to Europe these days that I plan on arriving in Lisbon 4 days before my MS Europa trip this fall, so I can be positive to be there even if there is a flight cancellation or two. I envy you all being in Europe as flight cancellations are easier to deal with than coming from 13 hours away, like I do, not to mention there is no jet lag, and less expense for flying business class. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vistaman Posted April 25, 2016 #453 Share Posted April 25, 2016 catlover 54, many thanks - i you really are intending to Lisbon 4 day earlier - consider the Avenida Palace hotel - i do not get pribes but it was wonderful - a restored old palace .with a certain "grandeur" on long distances i also must fly business - in Europa only if i do have enough miles and i try to use Swiss or Lufthansa as inflight service on Brussels is just horrible. ( cheap sour champagne and poor food but :D2 chocolates ) be aware that on MS Europa you can book a table for dinner in the Lido , and on some evenings that is a must - see the ass maitre d' h the first evening there is a list in your room with the different "themes" ( pasta , salmon fish, spanish ... )going on every lunch and dinner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
English Voyager Posted April 26, 2016 Author #454 Share Posted April 26, 2016 (edited) Having read that Viking Ocean has cancelled Turkish Ports of Call, it would appear that Hapag-Lloyd has not amended the itineraries of the Europa 2 which include Turkey. The UK Foreign Office's latest advice in respect of tourist areas is to be alert to one's surroundings, and to remain vigilant in crowded places. In withdrawing Turkey from itineraries, are the relevant Cruise Lines over reacting, or are those Cruise Lines which continue to include Turkey being slow to react? Edited April 26, 2016 by English Voyager Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floridiana Posted April 28, 2016 #455 Share Posted April 28, 2016 In withdrawing Turkey from itineraries, are the relevant Cruise Lines over reacting, or are those Cruise Lines which continue to include Turkey being slow to react? I think it is about customer reaction and business. The panicked postings on cc show that some Americans cancelled ocean cruises, river cruises and travel to Europe + Turkey. Cruise lines take this into consideration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
English Voyager Posted May 20, 2016 Author #456 Share Posted May 20, 2016 Hapag-Lloyd has recently issued their Promo video with an English language voice over by, it sounds like, Jonathan Beaumont who presented the series of Experience.tv videos on the Europa 2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Catlover54 Posted May 28, 2016 #457 Share Posted May 28, 2016 On an Europa 2 deckplan on HL website, I see several Category I veranda suites facing aft, e.g., 674-679, still available on a cruise in 2017 that is otherwise mostly sold out in the cheaper categories. Just above them on deck 7 they are category 2. There is no indicator of something weird about them, like blocked view or such any idea why those deck 6 suites are least desired? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vistaman Posted May 29, 2016 #458 Share Posted May 29, 2016 On an Europa 2 deckplan on HL website, I see several Category I veranda suites facing aft, e.g., 674-679, still available on a cruise in 2017 that is otherwise mostly sold out in the cheaper categories. Just above them on deck 7 they are category 2. There is no indicator of something weird about them, like blocked view or such any idea why those deck 6 suites are least desired? i think you did mention the suites on deck 7 under the Sansibar nightclub, noise music late closing down late fun partying ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
English Voyager Posted May 30, 2016 Author #459 Share Posted May 30, 2016 vistaman, As you are due to board the Europa 2 tomorrow, have a great cruise, and I trust the weather keeps fine. I am looking forward to joining the ship in just over four weeks time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vistaman Posted May 30, 2016 #460 Share Posted May 30, 2016 vistaman, As you are due to board the Europa 2 tomorrow, have a great cruise, and I trust the weather keeps fine. I am looking forward to joining the ship in just over four weeks time. many thanks - i 'll be happy to board her - i do not like the transfer Rome airport Civitavecchia - find it one of the most difficult ( and expensive ) ones i am going back to her on 29 th June for 3 days and unfortunately that is a farewell until June 2017 however i 'll go to her sister in september :) i did cancel the Dubai Limassol with no ports and the heath in late May 37 - 42 ° is not for me and i also do Queen Victoria for the first time - my first Cunard since 1999 - november this year very curious about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vistaman Posted June 11, 2016 #461 Share Posted June 11, 2016 i am just back from an excellent cruise on ms Europa 2 around 480 guests - 32 international guests and 1 :rolleyes: aditional listed as German speaking Civitavecchia transfers are never fun and unfortunately ms Europa 2 is too big for Nice (much easier transfers as Monaco taxis ???) Hapag Lloyd does use Nice for ms Europa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
English Voyager Posted June 11, 2016 Author #462 Share Posted June 11, 2016 i am just back from an excellent cruise on ms Europa 2 around 480 guests - 32 international guests and 1 :rolleyes: aditional listed as German speaking Civitavecchia transfers are never fun and unfortunately ms Europa 2 is too big for Nice (much easier transfers as Monaco taxis ???) Hapag Lloyd does use Nice for ms Europa Welcome back. Good to read that you had an enjoyable cruise. As they are very likely to be on my cruise at the beginning of next month, on your cruise who were the International Hostess, and the Cruise Director? Is Marcel still the manager of Tarragon? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vistaman Posted June 11, 2016 #463 Share Posted June 11, 2016 The international hostess was Suzanne Cheung and the cruise director was Frank Meikofski - Christian Bertram left Hapag Lloyd Marcel was still on duty as Tarragon manager however it are his lasts weeks, during last cruise Dubai Dubai he did Sakura ( i do not eat oriental ). Markus A Galan is back as sommelier. Captain was cpt. Wolter and hotel director mr Schrempf on duty until 4 th July. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
English Voyager Posted June 12, 2016 Author #464 Share Posted June 12, 2016 vistaman, Thank you for the information. With regard to your cruise, did the fashion shows contribute to your enjoyment? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vistaman Posted June 15, 2016 #465 Share Posted June 15, 2016 the fashion was very special for ladies i think and in every suite a small gift made by the invited designer was delivered in any case he did receive a big ovation. the show was great to see i am staying on more classical clothing - 60 years ;) and i am far more into gastronomy and wines as in fashion and classical music and opera - and i always did prefer full opera's above recitals especially when done only by piano instead of full orchestra i remember on one of those special cruises the last symphony of Mozart ( nr 41 Jupiter ) was performed with not enough strings on stage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
English Voyager Posted June 23, 2016 Author #466 Share Posted June 23, 2016 The following link is to an article titled 'Exceptional dining on-board Europa 2' http://www.worldofcruising.co.uk/exceptional-dining-europa-2/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
English Voyager Posted July 25, 2016 Author #467 Share Posted July 25, 2016 (edited) During my cruise from Kiel to Bergen, I met the American writer Gary Walther who has recently posted articles on various aspects of his time on the Europa 2: http://www.forbes.com/sites/garywalther/2016/07/05/best-cruise-ships-the-europa-2-a-voyage-up-the-coast-of-norway/#573ebd433dc7 http://www.forbes.com/sites/garywalther/2016/07/06/best-cruise-ships-the-europa-2-cruising-the-norwegian-coast-and-fjords/#1345669f7ad3 http://www.forbes.com/sites/garywalther/2016/07/07/best-cruise-ships-europa-2-cruising-norways-fantastic-fjords/#2976697e2e53 http://www.forbes.com/sites/garywalther/2016/07/09/best-cruise-ships-the-europa-2-why-the-norwegian-fjords-are-perfect-for-luxe-cruising/#1a675ef2e8de http://www.forbes.com/sites/garywalther/2016/07/19/worlds-best-cruise-ships-the-europa-2-naked-truths-about-the-spa/#371861c55a6e http://www.forbes.com/sites/garywalther/2016/07/19/worlds-best-cruise-ships-the-europa-2-a-guide-to-cabin-pricing/#27f960e763e3 Edited July 25, 2016 by English Voyager Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
English Voyager Posted July 25, 2016 Author #468 Share Posted July 25, 2016 A review has just been published. http://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=540162 The stated destination is puzzling, since, as far as I am aware, the Europa 2 was not cruising around the British Isles in June. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
English Voyager Posted July 28, 2016 Author #469 Share Posted July 28, 2016 My review on my recent Norwegian Fjords cruises is now available. http://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=541091 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vistaman Posted July 29, 2016 #470 Share Posted July 29, 2016 thank you for the review - usually i do not eat a lot in Weltmeere (and Vier Jahreszeiten is managed by Fairmont not by Four Seasons :)) i am sometimes feeling rather embarassed that they have to search my wine in Weltmeere where all the not emptied bottles are stocked - when i do eat in Yacht Club last time i was in steigenberger in Hamburg - that is officially 5 star but better said 4 starred + - Sofitel is better if you do not take the "real single" rooms - small... Westin will open in a few months near Hafencity and for the new Fontenay it is still waiting time;) i hope you did enjoy the cruise and also that you will enjoy your first on ms Europa - i was there for 4 days last week - yes there is still an international hostess !! years ago the first Crystal - the Harmony went into Trollfjord and afterwards the captain was fired for doing that the famous cpt Rodahl did it once with the Vistafjord Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retiredand happy Posted July 29, 2016 #471 Share Posted July 29, 2016 Terry, it was great meeting you on the 2 Norway cruises. I enjoyed our talks. Sorry I didn't get to say much to you on the 2nd cruise. I had friends join us that I met on a Viet Nam trip in 2012. The ship was great as usual. I booked my 6th cruise on E2 for next March. I hope to meet up with you again on a future cruise. Safe travels. Richard My review on my recent Norwegian Fjords cruises is now available. http://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=541091 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
English Voyager Posted July 29, 2016 Author #472 Share Posted July 29, 2016 Terry, it was great meeting you on the 2 Norway cruises. I enjoyed our talks. Sorry I didn't get to say much to you on the 2nd cruise. I had friends join us that I met on a Viet Nam trip in 2012. The ship was great as usual. I booked my 6th cruise on E2 for next March. I hope to meet up with you again on a future cruise. Safe travels.Richard Richard, It was a pleasure to have met you all, and I hope your return journey was less nerve wracking than the one to join the ship. I have a cruise booked for next year on the Europa 2, and the Europa. I hope that we will have an opportunity to meet again. Enjoy your cruise next March. Terry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
English Voyager Posted July 29, 2016 Author #473 Share Posted July 29, 2016 thank you for the review - usually i do not eat a lot in Weltmeere (and Vier Jahreszeiten is managed by Fairmont not by Four Seasons :)) i am sometimes feeling rather embarassed that they have to search my wine in Weltmeere where all the not emptied bottles are stocked - when i do eat in Yacht Club last time i was in steigenberger in Hamburg - that is officially 5 star but better said 4 starred + - Sofitel is better if you do not take the "real single" rooms - small... Westin will open in a few months near Hafencity and for the new Fontenay it is still waiting time;) i hope you did enjoy the cruise and also that you will enjoy your first on ms Europa - i was there for 4 days last week - yes there is still an international hostess !! years ago the first Crystal - the Harmony went into Trollfjord and afterwards the captain was fired for doing that the famous cpt Rodahl did it once with the Vistafjord I don't know what the system is for storing unfinished bottles of wine in the Weltmeere, but on more than one occasion they had difficulty finding mine when I was eating in there. I did enjoy my cruise, and it is gratifying that Hapag-Lloyd is currently investigating my observations re shortcomings, and their impact upon wait staff. With regard to your cruise on the Europa, on the formal night were there many men wearing black tie and dinner jacket? Or is a dark suit now permitted? Catlover54 is due to sail on the Europa for the Ocean Sun Music Festival in September, and I look forward to her review. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vistaman Posted July 29, 2016 #474 Share Posted July 29, 2016 they are adding a label with your suite number and name on the bottle my recent cruise on ms Europa was a short one : 4 nights only - one was with jacket and tie - on other jackets were requested on deck 4 where the restaurants and bars are located i did not bring my tuxedo - just a very dark suit + a formal white shirt and a bow tie ( did not use those ) - so i eventually could simulate "evening gear" - evening dress was NOT requested there were - except for myself - no other pax from non german speaking countries - there was nobody for life boat drill in english:rolleyes: on cruises (as from seven nights ) a lot of tuxedos are still seen - last year i also brought the same very dark suit - ( limited luggage allowance on plane :() i was not refused in the Europa restaurant ( with white gala shirt + bow tie ) i am back on her in Nizza 21 st September and on Europa 2 only 3 rd June 2017 ( humidity + heat are not my items neither crossings ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
English Voyager Posted July 29, 2016 Author #475 Share Posted July 29, 2016 vistaman, I note that your September cruise on the Europa includes the gourmet food festival. Have you been on one before? From the video of last year's event, it looks extremely impressive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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