Best Ratings for Hapag-Lloyd Cruises

With 1852 out of a maximum of 2000 points, the EUROPA received the highest rating of all 285 ships tested. The HANSEATIC scored 1746 points, making it the only expedition ship to be awarded five stars. The second expedition ship of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, MS BREMEN, was upgraded and received the award 4-stars-plus for the first time with 1553 points.

Author Douglas Ward and his team tested a total of 285 cruise ships from all over the world, assessing criteria such as ship furnishings, quality and diversity in the restaurants, service and crew, entertainment and cruise experience. In this year's edition of the "Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships", they are once again awarding the rating 5- stars-plus to only one ship: MS EUROPA. Douglas Ward states the outstanding culinary creations of starred chef Dieter Mueller as being the reason for this decision and adds: "EUROPA has stood the test of time, and looks almost new. "

Sebastian Ahrens, Managing Director of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, comments, "The very good ratings of our ships confirm that the consistent investments in and further developments of our range of products and services are worthwhile. Certainly, it is primarily the recent and comprehensive shipyard works on the BREMEN that have contributed to our expedition ship being awarded an additional 'plus'."

"Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships 2012" by Douglas Ward, 720 pages, paperback. Also available as an application for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.