Anyone who takes a trip has something to tell. And those who go on a cruise with Hapag-Lloyd have even more to tell. So this story is already the second part. Part 1 of the “MS Europa 2 Voyage Report” can be found in this article. Here it goes on briskly. Today: Date with Robinson Crusoe.
The Work of the Night, kinda
There is nothing more beautiful than watching the sunrise by the sea. Well, good. Actually, there is. Puppies and winning the lottery, for example. Or sleeping in. But in fact it is always a sublime moment when the glowing fireball bathes the horizon in all shades of orange and red. So the fact that I opened the curtain of my suite after the Turn Down Service was already there was not an act of rebellion. It was purely intentional. So the first thing my eyes see in the morning is the shimmering pink sea outside. I treat myself to a coffee on my balcony. It is already around 25 degrees outside.
Although it is still early in the morning, there is already a bustle of activity. We have arrived off Malcapuya Island at night and are anchoring here. Like ants, the Zodiacs are already flitting around on the water below. Twelve of them are on board. They will be used later as taxi boats. At the moment, the crew – there are about 370 people in total, by the way, who look after the well-being of the guests – use them to crown the already beautiful island. I’ve already read about it in the shore excursion programme, so I’m pretty excited. But first I need to get some exercise in my legs.
Gym-Check on the Ocean
There is one essential tip among cruise fans: don’t use lifts. This is pure self-protection. Because the food on cruises is usually just too good. The famous “2 cruise kilos” per week creep onto your hips faster than you would like. Well-equipped gyms are always nice. I like to keep up my running routine on the road and hit the treadmill early in the morning. The gym is open around the clock. It is equipped with the latest generation of cardio machines. In addition, there are classes during the day such as functional training, kickboxing, yoga and a personal trainer who gives tips on performance, among other things. So basically, everything you need is there.
And I am amazed. Because as a person who travels a lot and is therefore bound to be on treadmills a lot, I’m used to being mostly alone in the gym. Except in designated sports hotels, they are simply not one of the favourite places for holidaymakers. But in the fitness area on the MS Europa 2 I am actually in good company. It is well frequented without being full or even overcrowded. That makes a sportswoman’s heart happy. Disinfection, towels, drinks – everything is there and exemplary. In my opinion, it could only be a little cooler here. At first it takes a bit of getting used to that you walk at a 90-degree angle to the direction of travel during the ride. But your head quickly learns to ignore that.
Mangos – the Taste of Paradise
A little later I am sitting in the “Yacht Club”, freshly showered. It is the buffet restaurant, which does not deserve the term “typical”. Because there is an exceptionally large selection here. You can choose from a range of hot dishes that change daily. Countless egg dishes are ordered at the table. They are served fresh. They are accompanied by an excellent selection of bread. In this respect, we Austrians are perhaps most similar to the Germans: we are fussy about bread. That’s why they simply bake it fresh on board every day. But not just one bread. Many different types, plus baguettes, Weckerl and co. – these are carbohydrates in their most beautiful form.
But the mangoes have made it into my heart. I’ve never had them taste as fantastic as they do here. Also worth mentioning is the steamed broccoli with garlic. I have it to thank for the fact that all the mosquitoes stayed away from me later. I’m relatively sure of that. Some of the 70 kilos of butter that are consumed on board every day are certainly due to me. And some of the 900 to 1000 eggs that go into our stomachs every day. But the 20 kilos of caviar per evening and 3 tonnes of lobster on board per voyage have nothing to fear from me. Provisions master Miguel Schott can rest assured.
Date with Robinson Crusoe
A little later, we set off on the first MS Europa 2 shore excursion during this trip. Zodiacs take us from the ship to the island that I discovered in the distance early in the morning. The adventurous trip takes just five minutes. During this time, however, you have impressive views of the ship. And as soon as you approach the island, you think you are in the Caribbean instead of the Philippines. The water shines in all shades of blue and turquoise. The sandy beach is white and incredibly soft. Even the Maldives beaches look like sandpaper in comparison. I am one of the first guests on the island. I am given a sunshade to go, water and a bath towel. Then I’m allowed to find my place in paradise.
Almost all guests come to the island during the day. They lie on the beach, bathe in the warm and crystal-clear water. Snorkelling. Or roam the island. Again and again, members of the crew come by. They offer cocktails and bubbles, have fruit juices with them and help to ram the parasols into the sand. Actually, I want to read a bit. But my eyes keep wandering to the break-dancing group. They are part of the show programme and do somersaults and flic flacs on the beach. At some point, I do manage to get into the water, only to panic and soak my cheese-white European winter skin with sunscreen again. It is hot. Unbelievably hot.
Let’s go, Friday
Without making a face, the crew continues to smile. They lay the tables, set up a buffet that is nicer than many a Viennese restaurant interior. Lobsters sizzle on the grill. A few children play football in the sand. An elderly gentleman tries to catch the parasol that the light breeze is blowing towards the water. Some of the guests will have to go to the ship’s doctor later in the evening and ask for plenty of after-sun lotion. And cool themselves from the inside out with alcoholic liquids. For now, however, they are still lying in the sun and waiting for their first-class lunch. It smells really good, too. But the thought of queuing up in the heat for it tires me. Yes, even the thought of leaving my towel throws me into a crisis of meaning.
Because this is paradise. It is beautiful. In the extremely authentic photos of one or two influencers, the island even looks deserted. No trace of 500 cruise guests and 200 crew members. It all depends on the perspective. And from my current perspective, I’d like to eat something. Without sticky sun cream fingers and with air conditioning. So it is with a heavy heart that I leave Malcapuya Island after a few hours. I take one of the Zodiacs, which are constantly going back and forth anyway. A little later I am sitting in the cool, deserted restaurant. The cook at the barbecue station on board is pleased that anyone has stopped by at all. And I feel a bit like a ship owner. Chicken? Perhaps. But this is supposed to be an honest MS Europa 2 report.
On our Way to Coron
One by one, the other guests trickle back in. The crew handles the logistical masterpiece that an excursion like this means back again. Until everything and everyone is back on board, I enjoy the pool deck with all its benefits. One of them would be comfortable loungers, shade and waffles. They are something of a speciality of the house. Anyone who writes an MS Europa 2 report and fails to mention the fluffy delicacies from the waffle iron is lying. That’s what I’ve been told. In fact, the square pastries enchant everyone. Every day they come with a different topping.
The waffles and accompanying coffee are included here, as are the meals in the seven gourmet restaurants, the welcome champagne in the suite, the coffee capsules and the contents of the minibar. By the way, the minibar is refilled daily. Plenty of water is available for all shore excursions and activities. Drinks outside of this are not included. Unlike on other cruises, you cannot buy a drinks package in advance. In principle, everything is booked to the suite and then paid for on departure by credit card or in cash.
Visiting the Bridge
Before it’s time for dinner again, it’s worth visiting Captain Sören Anderl on the bridge. The young man who steers the Grand Dame with a sure hand through the waters of the world is happy to provide information about anything nautically interested people might want to know. There is a kind of “open bridge”. Unlike other cruiseliners, there is no ban on taking photos and no strict visiting protocols. The guests on board the MS Europa 2 are generally open-minded, interested people. And interesting people. Of course, only those who dare to look over the selfie edge will find that out.
Would you like another MS Europa 2 report? Part 3 will be available tomorrow. Finally, we are approaching the frog’s legs. Missed the beginning? Part 1 is here.
