With three exceptional ART 2 SEA themed cruises, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises continues to enhance the artistic identity of the EUROPA 2 in 2027. In collaboration with renowned gallerists, art collectors, curators and art experts, curated cruise experiences are in the process of being planned that offer guests exclusive insights into the international art world through vernissages, personal encounters with artists and specially designed shore excursions to studios, museums, private collections and exclusive art venues. Input for the 2027 art programme on board the EUROPA 2 will be provided by Hamburg gallerist Carola Persiehl, gallerist and chief curator of ART KARLSRUHE Kristian Jarmuschek, art historian and art dealer Thole Rotermund as well as art collectors Lea and Christian Schwarm – each with their own curatorial style and a unique perspective on the art of the regions visited. All ART 2 SEA cruises, as well as background information on the exhibitions in the gallery and the art collection on board, can be found here: www.hl-cruises.com/cruises/themed-cruises/arts-entertainment/art
On the EUROPA 2, art is much more than merely part of the decor – it is an expression of the ship’s cosmopolitan identity. Around 890 original works by internationally renowned artists lend this small luxury ship its unmistakable atmosphere and make contemporary art an integral part of the cruise experience. With modern interior design, exclusively spacious outside suites with their own verandas, seven gourmet restaurants and a casual atmosphere, the EUROPA 2 stands for laid-lack luxury and a cosmopolitan way of life. With a maximum of 500 guests, it also offers the ideal setting for personal encounters and exceptional experiences.
“With ART 2 SEA, we are consistently developing the EUROPA 2 as a platform for unique cultural encounters. Each cruise has its own curatorial signature: renowned hosts from the art world curate select cruises, contributing their personal expertise, networks and passion for art. Specially designed experiences shape our on-board gallery while vernissages, discussions with artists and curated shore excursions led by our art experts provide authentic insights and perspectives that go far beyond traditional museum visits,” says Lisa Wilken, Head of Luxury Cruises at Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.
ART 2 SEA in the Indo-Pacific: art between cultural worlds
The 2027 ART 2 SEA cruises kick off with an exceptional itinerary through the Indo-Pacific, bringing art to life as a reflection of cultural identity and regional history. The programme will be accompanied by Dr Lisa Zeitz, editor-in-chief of WELTKUNST, Kristian Jarmuschek, gallerist and chief curator of ART KARLSRUHE as well as Thole Rotermund, art historian and art dealer. The gallery on Deck 9 will take on a new curatorial direction under the guidance of the Berlin gallery Jarmuschek + Partner, showcasing contemporary works by international artists.
Together, these art experts will provide new insights into the art and cultural landscapes of Southeast Asia and Australia for guests. Major museums and collections will not only take centre stage, but above all authentic encounters with the people and places behind the works. Visits to the Semarang Contemporary Art Gallery on Java, the ARMA Museum & Resort on Bali and an exclusive studio visit with the Indonesian artist Faisal Habibi are planned. The programme is complemented by a look at Indigenous art in Western Australia and art historical interpretation provided by the expert on-board hosts.
“What makes this ART 2 SEA cruise so special is the opportunity to experience art where it is created and where it is deeply rooted in its own cultural context. Encounters with emerging artists from the Indo-Pacific region, together with exclusive behind-the-scenes access to studios and private collections, offer insights that go far beyond a traditional museum visit. I find these cultural regions immensely fascinating. They are among the most dynamic in the world today and, in the years ahead, our cultural exchange with them is only set to grow,” says Thole Rotermund.
ART 2 SEA between Japan and China: a dialogue between cultures and collections
The second ART 2 SEA cruise will take guests from Tokyo to Hong Kong and explore the intriguing cultural connections between Japan and China. The hosts are future strategists and art collectors Lea and Christian Schwarm, who view contemporary art as a bridge between people and cultures and to raise questions about the future. Together with entrepreneur and China analyst Ailin Huang as well as Bangkok-based collector and exhibition organiser Désiré Feuerle, they open up new perspectives on the socio-artistic developments in East Asia.
Complementing the itinerary, the gallery on Deck 9 will also present a specially curated exhibition: the multi-award-winning street and fine art photography Nina Papiorek showcases photographs from Japan, China, Hong Kong and Vietnam. Her graphically composed black-and-white works condense urban spaces into striking visual worlds between tradition and modernity, reflecting the cultural diversity of the regions visited.
The programme for the hand-picked ART 2 SEA shore excursions is currently being finalised, curated by the artistic hosts of this cruise. Possible highlights include visits to the Kirishima Open Air Museum in Japan, the legendary 798 Art Zone in Beijing and an exclusive studio visit with the internationally renowned artist Guan Xiao in Shanghai. Discussions with artists and experts complement the programme, offering guests direct access to Asia’s dynamic contemporary art scene.
“Contemporary art often provides the clearest insight into social change. Together with our guests, we wish to explore how diverse cultural identities emerge and how art creates connections that extend far beyond national borders,” say Lea and Christian Schwarm.
Sample cruise MS EUROPA 2 ART 2 SEA: Japanese culture and Chinese cities (EUX2708). From Tokyo to Hong Kong, from 15 May to 2 Jun 2027 (18 days). Bookable in the PLATINUM fare from € 13,820 per person, double occupancy (cruise only, including early booking discount valid until 31 Oct 2026). For more information, visit: www.hl-cruises.com/EUX2708
ART 2 SEA in the Mediterranean: Carola Persiehl opens up new perspectives on contemporary art
Following this year’s successful collaboration, Hamburg gallerist Carola Persiehl will once again be hosting a designated ART 2 SEA cruise on the EUROPA 2 next year. As owner of the long-established Galerie Commeter, she will be accompanying a cruise through the western Mediterranean, combining international contemporary art with the Mediterranean way of life. Drawing on her many years of experience and her personal network, she offers guests exclusive insights into major art institutions and exceptional collections. The gallery on Deck 9 will also host an exhibition of contemporary art curated by Galerie Commeter during the cruise. On board, the programme features vernissages, art talks and guided tours.
A series of exciting excursions ashore are currently being planned, including visits to Fondation Maeght on the Cote d’Azur, Commanderie de Peyrassol with its renowned sculpture park, and the art centre Hauser & Wirth on Menorca. Another highlight will be a visit to the studio of the internationally acclaimed artist Minjung Kim at her Provencal villa – an encounter offering guests a rare peek into the creative process of one of Asia’s most significant contemporary artists.
“Art unfolds its greatest power where people engage in conversation with one another. It is precisely these personal encounters with artists and the discovery of collections and extraordinary places that make ART 2 SEA a unique cruise format for me,” says Carola Persiehl, owner of Galerie Commeter.
Sample cruise MS EUROPA 2 ART 2 SEA: The elegance of the Mediterranean (EUX2714). From Civitavecchia (Rome) to Palma de Mallorca, from 3 Aug to 15 Aug 2027 (12 days). Bookable in the PLATINUM fare from € 9,240 per person, double occupancy (cruise only, including early booking discount valid until 31 Oct 2026). For more information, visit: www.hl-cruises.com/EUX2714
