Hapag-Lloyd sends Europa into dry dock for refit ahead of 2025 Cape Town cruises

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has sent Europa into dry dock in Germany for a three-week overhaul in Bremerhaven that will see the ship’s machinery and equipment upgraded and reclassed.

Europa arrived at the shipyard in mid-September and is being worked on by 90 subcontractors, 120 shipyard workers and 265 crew members.

During the dry-dock the 24-year-old ship will also be assessed by DNV classification society technicians, who are checking different technical systems.

According to Ulrich Voss, Director of Ship Management and Hotel Refurbishment, cosmetic makeovers and modernisation of public areas and facilities are also being carried out.

More than 130 suites are being upgraded with a fresh colour scheme, new armchairs, sofas and carpets, and 4,000 sqm of carpet will be installed, along with new furniture in the common areas such as lounges and the pool area.

Crew members will also benefit from the refit, the company said, with a new and enlarged crew mess hall being added.

The technical work includes an ultrasound assessment of the thickness of the ship’s hull, as well as measurements of the engine room and tank ceilings.

“Around 35,000 measuring points are collected on the ship. This meticulous test is intended to ensure that the Europa continues to cruise the world’s oceans safely and reliably,” Voss said.

Work onboard also takes into consideration sustainability, Hapag-Lloyd explained, with old furniture being donated to charitable organisations.

Europa is scheduled to resume service on October 4th for a 16-night cruise to Western Europe and the Mediterranean.

Hapag Lloyd will be sending Europa to South Africa for the 2024/25 cruise season, with the ship sailing alternating departures from Cape Town and Mauritius between January and March, 2025.

These 16-night cruises provide opportunities to experience Africa’s natural beauty and the tranquil islands of the Indian Ocean, with Europa also offering a 21-night cruise to Funchal from Cape Town on March 14th.

Europe will also return to South Africa in 2026 to sail a similar set of itineraries during January, during the middle of the South African cruise season. 

Hapag-Lloyd’s decision to deploy Europa to South Africa reflects a growing interest in the country in the wider cruise industry amid the Red Sea security crisis, which has prevented all cruise lines from transitting the Suez Canal, forcing them to reroute ships around southern Africa instead.