Cruise line plans world's most spacious ship

(Hapag-Lloyd)

German cruise line Hapag-Lloyd has announced plans to build the world's most spacious cruise ship, due to debut in 2013.

The Europa 2, which will launch in spring 2013, is set to use an all new design which the company says offers the largest amount of space per passenger on a cruise ship.

Despite being eleven decks tall, Europa 2 will carry only 516 passengers in 258 suites - all of which will offer verandas and at least 28 meters of space, according to a statement from the company.

She will also offer a large wellness and spa zone, seven restaurants, two lounges and four bars, along with sport and health-oriented facilities which Hapag-Lloyd says "do justice to the current trend for active holidays and wellbeing."

When she sets sail in 2013, Europa 2 will sail seven day cruises to the Mediterranean in the summer months and further afield in winter, using a fleet of small Zodiac inflatable boats to ferry passengers ashore to smaller destinations.

The Europa 2 is designed to be a less formal alternative to the current Europa, which was last year chosen as the best ship in the world by the author of Berlitz' Complete Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships.

It beat competition from a number of other small vessels, including SeaDream II from the SeaDream Yacht Club and the Seabourn Odyssey and Sojourn from the Yachts of Seabourn.

http://www.hapag-lloyd.com