Vantage christens its latest river cruise ship

MARCH 15, 2013 — Boston, MA, headquartered Vantage Deluxe World Travel has christened the newest addition to its growing European river cruising fleet, the ms River Splendor, in Antwerp as the newest addition to its growing European river cruising fleet. Miss Belgium Noemie Happart led the official naming ceremony as the ship’s godmother.

Built at Shipyard DeHoop, Lobith, Netherlands, River Splendor has a passenger capacity of 176 and crew of 45.

Measuring 442 feet/135 meters, the maximum length allowed by European Union regulations, the ms River Splendor boasts several innovative features that are consistent with Vantage’s new fleet including a fuel efficient propulsion system that allows for reduced emissions and earns the vessel a “green ship” designation, energy-saving LED lighting and canvas ceilings throughout the ship, a hydraulic sliding roof allowing for indoor/outdoor dining, and the largest full-service kitchen of any European river cruising company.

Accommodations include eight single staterooms, to meet the popular demand of single travelers. Other options include a 330 square foot owners’ suite, twelve 250 square foot deluxe suites, and various other stateroom offerings, 78 percent with French balconies.

All accommodations have hotel style beds, individual climate control, flat-screen TVs equipped with free Video on Demand, U.S. channels, and interactive trip planning and GPS tracking; free WiFi; safety deposit boxes; and U.S. outlets and bathroom amenities.

“We are incredibly excited to launch the second ship of our new fleet, the ms River Splendor alongside our most valued partners and a select group of best customers,” said Kevin Wallace , COO of Vantage Deluxe World Travel. “We are expecting significant growth in the number of passengers we host on our European river cruising vessels in 2013 and 2014 including new departures to the Seine, Rhone, Saone in France and the Elbe in Germany, and we are looking forward to offering our customers the best cruising experience available anywhere with this exceptional ship.”

The new vessel is part of a $120 million fleet investment program, which will immediately double Vantage’s river cruising fleet. The ms River Splendor joins the ms River Discovery II, launched in 2012 which will sail on the Rhone and Saone in April 2013, the ms River Venture coming online in late March 2013 and the soon to be renovated ms River Navigator , which will sail again in September 2013 on the Rhine, Main and Danube. In addition to enhanced amenities, the new fleet will offer passengers new itineraries along the Elbe, Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers, a new Grand River voyage in France, and revamped itineraries in Portugal and Russia.