With three exclusive ART 2 SEA themed cruises, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises will continue to reinforce the artistic identity of EUROPA 2 in 2027.
In collaboration with renowned gallery owners, collectors, curators and art experts, the shipping company is preparing carefully selected experiences that will allow passengers to delve into the international art scene through exhibition openings, personal meetings with artists and specially designed excursions to studios, museums, private collections and exclusive art spaces.
The 2027 art program will feature the participation of Hamburg gallerist Carola Persiehl; gallerist and chief curator of ART KARLSRUHE, Kristian Jarmuschek; art historian and dealer Thole Rotermund; and collectors Lea and Christian Schwarm, who will each contribute their own curatorial approach and a unique vision of the art from the regions visited.
All information about ART 2 SEA cruises, the onboard gallery exhibitions and the EUROPA 2 art collection is available on the Hapag-Lloyd Cruises website.
Art as an essential part of EUROPA 2
On the EUROPA 2, art is much more than a decorative element: it constitutes an expression of the ship's cosmopolitan identity.
On board are displayed some 890 original works by internationally renowned artists, making contemporary art an inseparable part of the travel experience.
With a contemporary interior design, spacious outdoor suites with private terraces, seven gourmet restaurants and an elegant yet relaxed atmosphere, EUROPA 2 represents a concept of informal luxury and a cosmopolitan lifestyle.
Its maximum capacity of 500 passengers creates the ideal environment to live exclusive experiences and enjoy personal encounters with artists and experts.
“With ART 2 SEA, we continue to develop EUROPA 2 as a platform for unique cultural encounters. Each cruise has its own curatorial identity: leading professionals from the art world select and design the program, contributing their expertise, network, and passion. Our gallery exhibitions, along with openings, conversations with artists, and guided excursions led by specialists, offer authentic perspectives that go far beyond a traditional museum visit,” explains Lisa Wilken, Director of Luxury Cruises at Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.
ART 2 SEA in the Indo-Pacific: art as a reflection of cultural identity
The 2027 program will begin with an itinerary through the Indo-Pacific region, where art is presented as an expression of the cultural identity and history of each territory.
The trip will include the participation of:
- Dr. Lisa Zeitz, editor of WELTKUNST.
- Kristian Jarmuschek, gallerist and chief curator of ART KARLSRUHE.
- Thole Rotermund, art historian and art dealer.
The gallery located on deck 9 will be curated by the Berlin-based gallery Jarmuschek + Partner, which will present a selection of contemporary works by international artists.
Passengers will discover the art scene of Southeast Asia and Australia through visits to important cultural institutions, but also through encounters with local artists and creators.
Among the planned activities, the following stand out:
- the visit to the Semarang Contemporary Art Gallery in Java;
- the tour of the ARMA Museum & Resort in Bali;
- an exclusive meeting in the studio of Indonesian artist Faisal Habibi;
- activities dedicated to the indigenous art of Western Australia;
- and lectures given by the specialists who will be traveling on board.
“What makes this ART 2 SEA cruise so special is the opportunity to discover art where it is born and where it maintains a deep connection with its cultural context. Encounters with emerging artists from the Indo-Pacific and exclusive access to studios and private collections offer a much more comprehensive view than a simple museum visit. These are extraordinarily dynamic cultural regions, and I am convinced that artistic exchange with them will continue to grow in the coming years,” says Thole Rotermund.
ART 2 SEA between Japan and China: a dialogue between cultures and collections
The second ART 2 SEA cruise ship will sail between Tokyo and Hong Kong, exploring the cultural connections between Japan and China.
The hosts will be art strategists and collectors Lea and Christian Schwarm, who see contemporary art as a bridge between cultures and a tool for reflecting on the future.
Joining them will be businesswoman and China analyst Ailin Huang, as well as Bangkok-based collector and exhibition organizer Désiré Feuerle.
As a complement to the itinerary, the ship's gallery will present an exhibition by photographer Nina Papiorek, internationally awarded for her artistic and urban photography work.
The exhibition will bring together black and white images taken in Japan, China, Hong Kong and Vietnam, in which the author combines tradition and modernity through compositions of great graphic power.
The excursions, currently in the planning stage, could include:
- a visit to the Kirishima Open Air Museum in Japan;
- a tour of the famous 798 Art Zone art district in Beijing;
- an exclusive visit to the studio of renowned Chinese artist Guan Xiao, in Shanghai.
The program will be complemented with meetings and conversations with artists and specialists from the Asian art scene.
“Contemporary art often offers the clearest vision of the changes a society undergoes. We want to discover, together with our guests, how cultural identities evolve and how art creates bonds that transcend national borders,” say Lea and Christian Schwarm.
Featured Cruise
Japanese culture and Chinese cities (EUX2708)
- Itinerary: Tokyo – Hong Kong
- Dates: May 15 to June 2, 2027
- Duration: 18 days
- Price: from 13,820 euros per person, in double occupancy (cruise only, with early booking discount until October 31, 2026).
ART 2 SEA in the Mediterranean: Carola Persiehl offers new perspectives on contemporary art
Following the success of this year's collaboration, Hamburg-based gallery owner Carola Persiehl will once again lead an ART 2 SEA cruise aboard the EUROPA 2.
As the owner of the historic Galerie Commeter, she will accompany a journey through the western Mediterranean, where international contemporary art will be combined with the Mediterranean lifestyle.
Thanks to his extensive experience and vast network of contacts, passengers will have privileged access to important artistic institutions and private collections.
Deck 9 gallery will also host a contemporary art exhibition curated by Galerie Commeter.
The program will include exhibition openings, art lectures, and guided tours.
Among the planned excursions, the following stand out:
- the Maeght Foundation, on the French Riviera;
- The Commanderie de Peyrassol, known for its prestigious sculpture park;
- the Hauser & Wirth art center in Menorca;
- and an exclusive visit to the studio of renowned Korean artist Minjung Kim, located at her residence in Provence, where passengers can learn about her creative process firsthand.
“Art reaches its full power when people engage in dialogue with each other. It is precisely these personal encounters with artists and the discovery of exceptional collections that make ART 2 SEA a truly unique experience,” emphasizes Carola Persiehl.
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