By
Rebecca Gibson |
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is to provide an onboard beverage credit for all alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks to international guests onboard Europa 2 and expedition ship Hanseatic.
Available to all new bookings from 1 August 2014, the introductory offer will be applicable to cruises operating after 1 October. It is available to guests from all international markets including Australia, Belgium, Netherlands, Scandinavia, the UK and the US.
The value of the beverage credit is dependent upon the length of the cruise. Guests sailing for up to six nights will be offered a beverage credit of €100 per person, while those sailing on a seven- to nine-night cruise will receive a beverage credit of €150 per person. If the cruise lasts longer than ten days, a beverage credit of €200 will apply to each guest.
Europa 2’s guests can already enjoy a complimentary in-suite mini bar with a selection of non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks, as well as a choice of dining in all seven restaurants. This includes speciality restaurants, which do not have additional surcharges.
“Diversity and choice are two of the main elements that define our high standards onboard,” said Karl Pojer, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, explaining that Europa 2 serves around 500 varieties of wine. “By offering this beverage credit we are ensuring this diversity, while also offering our international guest the flexibility to make choices.”
The onboard offer is part of Hapag-Lloyd’s new strategy, which was announced during a press event in London on 17 July. Following a 42% increase in the number of international passengers across all its ships between 2013 and 2014, the operator plans to grow its English-speaking guest numbers to reach 15% of total passengers on Europa 2 and Hanseatic. The line’s cruises are currently dominated by German-speaking guests from Germany, Austria and Switzerland
“We would like to embrace further our new international markets and therefore address the different needs of our international guests," said Pojer. “We are aware of the challenges of the international marketplace; and conscious of existing industry competition. However we believe that our concept of combining five-star-plus standards with sophisticated informality and flexible route planning is the key to the way forward and continued success. We understand and are committed to this new way of enjoying relaxed luxury.”