Travel by cruise ship has certainly come a long way over the years,  evolving from an option for ‘the newly-wed or nearly-dead’ to the top choice of a far more diverse experience, good for everyone.  Ships of today have multiple dining venues, a wider variety of staterooms from which to choose and competitive pricing that makes cruise travel more personalized than ever before. But what if we could pick the itinerary?

 

 

Premiering on board Hapag-Lloyd Cruises EUROPA 2 in May 2016: Guests on the Surprise Cruise will set the course of the cruise by voting democratically. The only fixed ports on the itinerary: the ports of departure and arrival.  In addition to the surprise cruise, the first international circus arts festival will also take place onboard this sailing, and German jazz and pop musician Roger Cicero will be performing his songs live.

 

 

SURPRISE CRUISE: HOW IT WORKS
Christian van Zwamen, captain of the EUROPA 2, will present the adventurous guests with a list of potential routes and ports, and point out which locations will be the sunniest over the next few days. A lecturer will also be on hand to describe the highlights of the potential destinations. The guests will then vote to determine their route across Greece and Turkey. There are 20 destinations in the eastern Mediterranean to choose from, including Limenas, Kavala, Samos and Mykonos.

 

 

SURPRISE CRUISE: ALSO ON BOARD
Talented performers in the Artistika circus arts festival will deliver thrills of a different kind, when the event takes place at sea for the very first time. Six stars from the circus will defy gravity, and displaying their unique talents in the on-board theatre on Deck 4. The star-studded panel of judges consisting of Nina Burri (contortionist), Fafa (clown), Oropax (chaotic theatre duo) and Peter Shub (clown and director) will join the audience in choosing the best acrobat at two competition evenings, with Roger Cicero as patron.

 

EUROPA 2 surprise cruise, May 14 – May 24, 2016, from Istanbul/Turkey to Piraeus (Athens), from $5,750 USD per person, cruise only, (bookable at this reduced ‘summer specials’ until February 29, 2016.)  In addition to the surprise cruise, the first international circus arts festival will also take place onboard this sailing, and German jazz and pop musician Roger Cicero will be performing his songs live.