While Mittenwald produces filigree violins, the Meyer Werft of Papenburg, in the Emsland, builds floating luxury hotels: ocean-going giants destined to travel the seven seas as cruise vessels. Originally, Papenburg was just a small settlement of poor marshland farmers. But in order to transport the peat they had cut, the locals started to build large ships. In 1795, Willm Rolf Meyer set up a small shipyard here, which built wooden ships; today, Meyer Werft builds the biggest luxury cruise vessels in the world.
Taking a look behind the gates of the shipyard gives you a first-hand impression of how an ocean-going giant comes to life. From the seaport of Kiel, we then set off into the Baltic aboard the luxury cruise ship MS Europa.
The quiet waters of the Baltic and the multitude of attractive destinations for day stopovers along its shores make it ideal for a cruise. But the ship itself is, of course, the true centre of such a voyage. After all, it is not simply a means of transport but a holiday resort in itself. And what a resort! The space and the furnishings of the Europa astonish even veteran cruise holidaymakers. For example: the Europa is the first ship ever to offer cabins with outside balconies. The service and the sports and entertainment programmes on board have also helped the Europa to acquire its reputation, before even being launched, as the new flagship of the German cruise fleet.
Touristik-Information Papenburg
Rathausstr.2
26871 Papenburg
Tel.: +49 (0)4961 - 83960
Fax: +49 (0)4961- 839696
Hapag-Lloyd Kreuzfahrten
Ballindamm 25
D-20095 Hamburg
Tel: +49 (0) 40 - 3001 4600
Meyerwerft GmbH
Industriegebiet Sod
26871 Papenburg
Tel: 04961 - 81 -0
Fax: 04961 - 81433