Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has highlighted Europa Talks, formerly Europa Salon, its platform for discussions on current topics and developments available on select sailings aboard the Europa in 2027.
Experts from politics, business, society, science and media provide context for current developments and engage in conversation with guests, with select voyages featuring moderated discussions, lectures and personal encounters.
Topics discussed include societal changes, international developments and an increasingly complex news landscape.
“Our guests are interested in the destinations as well as the background and developments that shape our present. With Europa Talks, we combine both: special experiences along the route and inspiring encounters with personalities who share their experiences and perspectives and provide food for thought that extends beyond the journey,” said Lisa Wilken, head of luxury cruises at Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.
Among the hosts of selected Europa Talks trips is Peter Frey, journalist and former editor-in-chief at ZDF, German public-service television broadcaster, who will address current political and social issues and examine them from different perspectives.
Europe, democracy and cultural identity
Frey and historian and 2025 Peace Prize laureate of the German Book Trade Karl Schlögel and former Minister of State for Culture and Media Monika Grütters will explore the historical and cultural roots of Europe on a journey roundtrip from Piraeus.
Discussions about democracy identity, and European developments will be central to the trip, with lectures complementing the program.
German politics and international developments
Frey and former President of the German Bundestag Wolfgang Thierse and political scientist Andrea Römmele will discuss current political developments in Germany, Europe and beyond on a journey from Rio de Janeiro to Valparaíso.
The focus will include domestic political issues, the state of the governing coalition, upcoming state elections, and geopolitical developments following the midterm elections in the USA.
Sample Itinerary:
Sailing from January 25 to February 17, 2027 (23 days), the route follows the South American coast from Brazil to Chile.
Bookable in the Silver fare from €12,892 per person based on double occupancy, including arrival and departure package.
France after the presidential election
In early summer 2027, Europa Talks focuses on France and its role in Europe.
Together with former Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn and ARD journalist and former Paris correspondent Sabine Rau, Frey discusses the consequences of the French presidential election.
The panel analyzes the election results from political and journalistic perspectives and explores the potential impact of the decision on France, Germany and Europe.
Sample itinerary:
Sailing from May 31 to June 16, 2027 (16 days), the route from the French Riviera to Hamburg takes guests along the coasts of France, Spain, Portugal and Northern Europe.
Bookable in the Silver fare from €6,112 per person based on double occupancy, including travel package.
Hapag-Lloyd said it plans to expand the program with other economics, science and future-oriented topics.
Three further editions are currently planned for 2028:
- Pure East Asia – Between Zen and Zeitgeist (Hong Kong – Yokohama)
- Pintxos, Poetry and Small Harbor Gems (Leixoes (Porto) – Hamburg)
- From The Big Apple to the Heart of the Caribbean (New York – Miami)
The cruise line recently shared that the 400-guest Europa would head into drydock in Bremerhaven in the fall of 2027.
