Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has recruited the creative minds behind several Olympic level ceremonies, to perform on board select Europa 2 sailings in 2026/27.
Diego Tortelli was most recently the head of choreography for the closing ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics, while Yoann Bourgeois is responsible for the upcoming opening ceremony of the Paralympic Winter Games on 6 March. Alexander Ekman gained international recognition as head of choreography for the 2024 Paralympic Games.
Together, the trio will collaborate to present dance performances on the 500-pax luxury ship.
Later this year, Diego Tortelli and associate choreographer Aterballetto will be onboard the 16 August nine-day cruise from Civitavecchia (Rome) to Dubrovnik, and on the 10 October eight-day cruise from Palma de Mallorca to Lisbon.
Yoann Bourgeois will in 2027 stage the exclusive “Novecento – The Legend of the Ocean Pianist”, on the 3 August 12-day cruise from Civitavecchia to Palma de Mallorca.
Alexander Ekman returns to Europa on 21 July 2027, on a 13-day cruise from Tenerife to Civitavecchia.
“The fact that several of our choreographers play influential roles at the Olympic and Paralympic Games shows how consistently we curate a cultural programme of international relevance at sea,” said Foad Naddafi, artistic director at Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.