New Theme Cruises on MS Europa: "Parks & Garden" 2026/2027

It is no coincidence that the MS Europa was chosen for this concept. At less than 200 meters in length and with a capacity of a maximum of 400 passengers, it can navigate to small, remote ports that remain unreachable for today's mega cruise ships. When the coasts of Cornwall or small Atlantic islands appear on the starboard side, the ship shows its true nautical strength. In addition, it scores points with environmentally friendly technology such as bio-petroleum for the bow thrusters and shore power connections.

The trips will be accompanied by the renowned garden historian Dr. Carsten Seick. He not only prepares the vacationers for the shore excursions with exciting lectures on board, but also accompanies them exclusively on land. The special feature: Hapag-Lloyd Cruises opens doors for guests to private gardens and historic estates that are otherwise closed to normal individual tourists.

The routes are perfectly timed to match the respective blooming seasons. In 2026, the journeys include trips around Great Britain (with highlights like the Tresco Abbey Garden), along the European west coast into the Mediterranean, as well as to the Canary Islands and Morocco. In 2027, the offering will even expand to the North American Pacific coast around San Francisco and Vancouver, while the popular British routes will make a comeback.

An important tip for booking: Those who want to participate in the highly limited garden excursions should opt for the higher-priced Platinum fare. This guarantees immediate booking rights for the sought-after trips. Guests in the cheaper Silver fare face a booking embargo and risk only getting places on the waiting list for the exclusive shore excursions.