Entertainment

Dr. Torsten Pfitzer was born in 1975 in Kirchheim/Teck, Germany. After his studies in pharmacy and his doctoral degree in natural sciences in Freiburg, he first spent several successful years in the health care industry. His personal experiences in competitive sports and the passion for health finally lead him on the path of becoming a Heilpraktiker, Osteopath and expert for the holistic healing of musculoskeletal pain. 

In his practice in Munich the myofascial specialist combines different approaches like osteopathy, myofascial kinematics, nutritional therapy and others, which he also teaches to other therapists and doctors.

As a person formerly affected by chronic back pain himself, he looks over the edge of the plate. Torsten Pfitzer sees it as his calling to free his patients causally and sustainably from their pain by giving guidance for self-treatment in order to enable a vital life again. 

Shida brings over 20 years of experience across business, sports, and yoga. Her work ranges from amateur athletes to elite professionals, including Bundesliga teams and international top performers. In collaboration with Blackroll®, she developed the concept “Blackroll meets Yoga,” which she later published with renowned experts in the book Optimale Regeneration mit Yoga & BLACKROLL®. Her clients include former swimming world champion Marco Koch, the NY Breakers of the International Swimming League, and professional triathletes. Shida also works regularly with elite youth football players in Frankfurt, supporting performance and recovery through yoga, breathwork, and sleep optimization. Internationally, she is active as a trainer, speaker, and workshop leader.

Nina Ruge is one of Germany’s most renowned journalists and television presenters. After studying Biology at the Technical University of Braunschweig and enjoying a television career spanning nearly 30 years, she now dedicates her work to the topics of healthy longevity, prevention, and healthy ageing. As a science journalist, bestselling author, and co-founder of staYoung Media, she translates the latest findings from medicine, preventive healthcare, and longevity research into accessible insights for a broad audience. At the heart of her work is the question of how we can actively support both our healthspan and lifespan. Through her books, podcasts, and lectures, Nina Ruge shares evidence-based perspectives on nutrition, physical activity, recovery, and mindful living. On board EUROPA 2, she offers inspiring insights into the rapidly evolving field of longevity research and demonstrates how modern wellbeing concepts can contribute to greater vitality, balance, and quality of life.

Photocredit: Frank Erpinar

Anastasia Troska studied musical theater at the Berlin University of the Arts and has performed at the Luisenburg Festivals as well as notable theaters like the Neuköllner Oper Berlin and Theater Magdeburg. In 2017, she was a finalist in the German National Singing Competition.

Janko Danailow has been a singer and entertainer on international stages for over 20 years. He played leading roles in musicals such as Der Medicus and That’s Life, with a strong focus on swing, pop, and rock.

Carlos Quiroz, pianist and producer from Argentina, has been based in Berlin since 2008. He completed his music studies in Buenos Aires and collaborates with a wide range of artists across genres.

Moe Jaksch is an experienced double bassist and producer who has performed with legends like Chuck Berry and Nena. He also produces film and commercial music in his own studio.

The Salome Chamber Artists were co-founded by the Carpenter siblings in 2010. It is comprised of the top graduates from the Curtis Institute, The Juilliard School, Princeton University, and Yale University. The Orchestra has performed with leading singers and soloists including Christoph Eschenbach, Alan Gilbert, Rufus Wainwright, John Legend, Daniel Hope, Sharon Isbin, Natasha Bedingfield, and Karen Gomyo. With their artistic director, David Aaron Carpenter, they recorded the "12 Seasons" CD on Warner Classics.  

Founded in 1999, DDC is one of the most renowned breakdance crews in the German-speaking world. Combining breakdance with modern artistry, they have won numerous awards. The crew has toured worldwide, performed at major festivals, and produced over 300 shows, including "Breakin' Mozart." DDC is known for gala shows, TV appearances, and large live events. In 2013, they founded their own company and also provide talent development at the DDC Factory. Since 2023, their tour program "Breakin' Circus" has been on the road.

Volker Mehl is a 'Spiegel' bestselling author, Ayurvedic chef and one of the best-known and most influential Ayurvedic experts in the German-speaking world. With 23 published books to his name, he is one of the most prominent authors in his field and has played a decisive role in bringing Ayurveda out of its niche and adapting it to a modern, Western way of life. His approach is as consistent as it is contemporary: for him, Ayurveda is ‘knowledge of life, not of Indian life’. Rather than rigid rules, he combines millennia-old empirical wisdom with modern nutritional science, plant-based cuisine, enjoyment and a lifestyle suited to everyday life.

His books have won numerous awards, including the Gourmand World Cookbook Award twice. As an author, speaker and trainer, he has been sharing his insights for many years on how diet, lifestyle and self-efficacy can contribute to an enjoyable and healthy life.

These cookery courses await you on board:

• Pacific Ayurveda – the lightness of island cuisine
• Asia Green Kitchen – Umami. Fire. Plant-based cuisine
• Food for Life – The new art of healing cuisine

These workshops await you on board:

• Food that gives you energy – how nutrition, digestion and spices influence our daily energy levels.
• The best years are yet to come – Ayurveda meets healthy ageing – on enjoyment, the power of plants and the art of ageing well.
• 11,900 days – what on earth are we waiting for? A personal reflection on life, change, enjoyment and the courage not to put off living your own life until later.

Thomas Pöllmann creates abstract works in which layered colors form dynamic structures full of movement and depth. Using spatulas, knives, and trowels, he continuously alters the surface, giving each piece its own expressive character. The intensity arises from his choice of colors and the technique of overpainting, which reveals hidden layers. Intuition and chance work together, resulting in compositions defined by their complexity and spontaneous development. These abstract works follow no fixed rules but unfold through the creative process itself. This freedom allows emotional and visual tension to emerge, inviting viewers to form their own interpretations. Color and structure merge into a unified whole that combines both rhythmic and impulsive elements. Each layer introduces a new dynamic and opens up fresh perspectives, creating a vibrant surface that captures the moment of its creation. Through his technique and deliberate choice of materials, Thomas Pöllmann enables endless variation. His works reflect a deep engagement with the possibilities of painterly expression and demonstrate how the interplay of intuition and experimental approach can lead to unique visual worlds.

Discover all cruises on which the atelier is represented on board.

Thomas Pöllmann is an artist and coach. His professional career began in the field of object furnishing, where spatial design became one of his central focuses. This work took him to over 30 countries on six continents, including for the German Foreign Office. Over time, art became an increasingly important part of his life: in addition to sketching and watercolor painting, the self-taught artist became deeply involved in abstract oil painting. Intuition and a playful approach to chance characterize his often large-scale works, which can be found in private homes, well-known companies, and institutions such as Deutsche Bahn, the Joint Federal Committee, and government buildings like the Federal Chancellery in Berlin. His joy in creative creation is also conveyed through his coaching and workshops, where he shares knowledge and inspires others. Furthermore, he is passionately involved in environmental projects: Through his art, he initiated and supported numerous initiatives – both in his own projects and in collaboration with partners like WaldLokal or Mercedes-Benz – contributing to the sustainable planting of over 4,000 trees and making a valuable contribution to nature conservation.