Following last years' major success, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ flagship, MS EUROPA in cooperation with eight prestigious international opera houses, will be hosting their fourth annual classical music competition at sea in 2012.

The “Stella Maris“ International Vocal Competition will bring together up-and-coming young singers from the most renowned opera houses in the world. The competition will occur on board a cruise through the Indian Ocean departing from Dubai and ending in Port Louis/ Mauritius in November 2012. The distinguishing feature of “Stella Maris” is that the audience determines the winner of the cash prize worth €15,000, donated by Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.

Furthermore, under the direction of Canadian star tenor Michael Schade, a jury of famous personalities in the classical music field will vote on which performers win additional prizes, such as a test-recording or a concert performance.