29.10.2026/Ships/Hapag-Lloyd Cruises

New colour schemes, natural materials and carefully placed lighting accents: Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is refurbishing around 250 suites while the EUROPA 2 is in dry dock in Singapore from 9 to 23 Jan 2027. Following the redesign of the two Grand Penthouse Suites two years ago, the Veranda, Ocean, Grand Ocean, Penthouse and Owner Suites are now the focus of the upcoming refurbishment. The existing design concept will be retained and given a contemporary update with new colours, textures and furnishings. The Hamburg-based interior design studio CUBIK³ is supporting the team with the implementation. A video offers a first glimpse of the plans: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LvFS-FxMEI
With space for up to 500 guests and a crew-to-guest ratio of almost 1:1, the EUROPA 2 offers plenty of privacy. All suites feature their own veranda. Light-coloured woodwork, carefully selected furniture and spacious floor plans characterise the interiors. The impact of the interior design lies in the details: the feel of a fabric, finely coordinated colours and the interplay of light and materials. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is also adhering to this standard in the refurbishment of the suites. As part of the fifth dry-dock stay, existing colour schemes will be further developed, textiles and upholstered furniture renewed and furnishings added. Information on the dry-dock stay and selected cruises following the modernisation of the EUROPA 2 is available at www.hl-cruises.de/werft2027.
Ever since its commissioning, the EUROPA 2 has followed a clear design philosophy. Materials and details define the atmosphere while timeless furniture and carefully selected art add individual touches. Works by internationally renowned artists such as Damien Hirst and Gerhard Richter complement the ship’s tasteful interior.
The upcoming dry-dock stay builds on these design principles. The focus is on changes to the furniture, textiles and lighting. “The architecture and design of the EUROPA 2 are of exceptional quality and are highly contemporary. That’s why this dry-dock stay is less about change and more about refinement. Many of the alterations have been deliberately kept subtle, yet their effect will be clearly noticeable,” says Lisa Wilken, Head of Luxury Cruises at Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.
New colour schemes are set to define the upholstered furniture and textile fittings in future. These include curtains, carpets, sofas, bedspreads, armchairs and end-of-bed benches, amongst other things. Gentle colour transitions and rounded shapes complement the existing decor. Fabrics from the manufacturers rohi and Kvadrat bring a variety of textures and finishes to the interiors. The light-coloured woodwork will be retained.
The Veranda Suites, with 28 square metres (301 square feet) of living space, and the more spacious Penthouse Suites, with 42 square metres (452 square feet), will continue to share a common design language. The previous shades of beige are being replaced by mint-coloured hues and subtle coral tones. Organic patterns and wave-like textures echo the characteristic forms of the maritime surroundings.
The Ocean Suites, with 28 square metres (301 square feet) of living space, and the Grand Ocean Suites, with 42 square metres (452 square feet), will feature a colour scheme that reflects their names: various shades of blue and grey define the interiors, complemented by warm brown accents. Carpets with flowing patterns echo the movement of the sea. Reupholstered design classics blend harmoniously with the existing decor and lend the suites a lighter colour scheme.
The Owner Suites on the top deck occupy a special position thanks to their location at the bow and their glazed surfaces. Abundant natural light characterises the suites, featuring separate living and sleeping areas. New lighting designs from the Hamburg-based manufacturer GRAU take their inspiration from natural patterns of light that accompany the changing moods of daylight. The furnishings have also been adapted: tables, including round dining tables, and softer lines complement the clean-lined architecture of the suites. For the textile scheme, the existing beige tones are combined with subtle blue accents to create a harmonious interplay of colours that lends the living area a fresh and cosy feel.