River Cruising in Europe is Booming
WHEN you've broken the world record for the most ships christened on a single day, you might relax a little.
Not Viking River Cruises. After christening 10 luxurious new Longships in March 2014 (four in Amsterdam Harbour and six in a German shipyard), it launched a dozen new Longships the following year.
River Cruising in Budapest
The mass christening easily gave the company the Guinness World Records crown for single-day ship christenings, although officials limited the record to eight ships as two entered service last year without an official inauguration.
The Longships accommodate 190 passengers in 95 staterooms, including two Explorer Suites claimed to be the largest river cruise suites in Europe.
The staterooms feature floor-to-ceiling glass doors, allowing guests to enjoy the views and dine alfresco.
Other innovations range from an onboard organic herb garden to energy-efficient hybrid engines that reduce vibrations.
The new ships will sail the line's most popular European itineraries on voyages from eight to 15 days.
Despite the massive expansion in capacity with the 10 new ships, Viking will need its 12 extra ships due next year the company reports it is virtually booked out for European cruises for the rest of the year.
The mass christening is more good news for Australians who want to see the world by water. The Viking expansion is part of fleet building by a variety of companies, which adds up to more choices, itineraries, inclusions, amenities and luxury for guests.
A range of other river cruise options are becoming available this year as the sector continues to scramble with the huge surge in demand.
In the past two months, Avalon Waterways has launched Avalon Artistry II and Avalon Expression as the latest of its Suite Ships. Next year it will launch three more.
Each Suite Ship has two decks of all-suite accommodation, with 30 per cent more cabin space than the average competitor.
Cabins have wall-to-wall panoramic windows that slide back to turn the entire cabin into an open-air balcony, allowing passengers to enjoy the outdoors without compromising space.
Two of Avalon's existing ships, Avalon Tranquility and Avalon Imagery, will leave the fleet at the end of this year both are less than seven years old, but will be retired as part of Avalon's commitment to maintain Europe's youngest fleet, with an average age of less than three years.
Avalon's preview brochure for next year details 26 of its most popular cruises along European river, including the Rhine, Danube, Moselle, Main, Rhone and Seine.
Not Viking River Cruises. After christening 10 luxurious new Longships in March 2014 (four in Amsterdam Harbour and six in a German shipyard), it launched a dozen new Longships the following year.
River Cruising in Budapest
The mass christening easily gave the company the Guinness World Records crown for single-day ship christenings, although officials limited the record to eight ships as two entered service last year without an official inauguration.
The Longships accommodate 190 passengers in 95 staterooms, including two Explorer Suites claimed to be the largest river cruise suites in Europe.
The staterooms feature floor-to-ceiling glass doors, allowing guests to enjoy the views and dine alfresco.
Other innovations range from an onboard organic herb garden to energy-efficient hybrid engines that reduce vibrations.
The new ships will sail the line's most popular European itineraries on voyages from eight to 15 days.
Despite the massive expansion in capacity with the 10 new ships, Viking will need its 12 extra ships due next year the company reports it is virtually booked out for European cruises for the rest of the year.
The mass christening is more good news for Australians who want to see the world by water. The Viking expansion is part of fleet building by a variety of companies, which adds up to more choices, itineraries, inclusions, amenities and luxury for guests.
A range of other river cruise options are becoming available this year as the sector continues to scramble with the huge surge in demand.
In the past two months, Avalon Waterways has launched Avalon Artistry II and Avalon Expression as the latest of its Suite Ships. Next year it will launch three more.
Each Suite Ship has two decks of all-suite accommodation, with 30 per cent more cabin space than the average competitor.
Cabins have wall-to-wall panoramic windows that slide back to turn the entire cabin into an open-air balcony, allowing passengers to enjoy the outdoors without compromising space.
Two of Avalon's existing ships, Avalon Tranquility and Avalon Imagery, will leave the fleet at the end of this year both are less than seven years old, but will be retired as part of Avalon's commitment to maintain Europe's youngest fleet, with an average age of less than three years.
Avalon's preview brochure for next year details 26 of its most popular cruises along European river, including the Rhine, Danube, Moselle, Main, Rhone and Seine.
Australian firm Scenic Tours added a new ship in April, the $27 million Scenic Jewel, has commissioned two new ships for next year and is spending $10 million refurbishing its luxurious fleet of Space-Ships sailing European waterways.
The company also is relocating Scenic Emerald to southern France for cruises on the Rhone and Saone rivers, and will launch Scenic Gem and Scenic Jade next year to bring its fleet of Space Ships to nine.
Scenic Tours managing director Glen Moroney says the investment means no matter where guests cruise, they will be guaranteed superb standards.
"At 135m in length and boasting two entire decks of cabins with private balconies, Scenic Space-Ships are the next generation of river cruisers," Moroney says.
"They are longer than other ships sailing Europe's waterways, with 22 per cent more space."
The fleet range in age from 18 months to four years.
Evergreen Tours is building two new river cruise ships for Europe, the Riva Royale and Riva Princess.
They will be launched early next year for cruises on the Rhine, Main, Danube and Moselle rivers.
APT this year adds AmaVida and AmaPrima to its European river fleet, bringing the total to 13, plus one on the Mekong. Next year it plans to add the AmaSonata and AmaReina.
The company also is introducing the Chef's Table Restaurant, already a feature on its Concerto-class ships, to its six Aria-class ships next year, and will expand its itineraries to include the Seine and Douro rivers. It is also building the AmaDouro specifically for cruising the Douro.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises launched its newest ship, Queen Isabel, in Portugal in March.
Queen Isabel can accommodate 118 passengers and its public areas include a lounge with bar, an outside bar, restaurant with an outside dining area, sun deck with swimming pool and a fitness/spa area.
The ship will sail a 10-night Portugal, Spain and the Douro River itinerary, replacing the Douro Spirit, which Uniworld launched in 2011.
The company also has a new itinerary in Italy, sailing the Po River and the Venice Lagoon aboard River Countess.
The company also is relocating Scenic Emerald to southern France for cruises on the Rhone and Saone rivers, and will launch Scenic Gem and Scenic Jade next year to bring its fleet of Space Ships to nine.
Scenic Tours managing director Glen Moroney says the investment means no matter where guests cruise, they will be guaranteed superb standards.
"At 135m in length and boasting two entire decks of cabins with private balconies, Scenic Space-Ships are the next generation of river cruisers," Moroney says.
"They are longer than other ships sailing Europe's waterways, with 22 per cent more space."
The fleet range in age from 18 months to four years.
Evergreen Tours is building two new river cruise ships for Europe, the Riva Royale and Riva Princess.
They will be launched early next year for cruises on the Rhine, Main, Danube and Moselle rivers.
APT this year adds AmaVida and AmaPrima to its European river fleet, bringing the total to 13, plus one on the Mekong. Next year it plans to add the AmaSonata and AmaReina.
The company also is introducing the Chef's Table Restaurant, already a feature on its Concerto-class ships, to its six Aria-class ships next year, and will expand its itineraries to include the Seine and Douro rivers. It is also building the AmaDouro specifically for cruising the Douro.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises launched its newest ship, Queen Isabel, in Portugal in March.
Queen Isabel can accommodate 118 passengers and its public areas include a lounge with bar, an outside bar, restaurant with an outside dining area, sun deck with swimming pool and a fitness/spa area.
The ship will sail a 10-night Portugal, Spain and the Douro River itinerary, replacing the Douro Spirit, which Uniworld launched in 2011.
The company also has a new itinerary in Italy, sailing the Po River and the Venice Lagoon aboard River Countess.
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