RIVER CRUISE NEWS
New kids on the block River cruising has returned with a vengeance, with new offerings from some of our favourite lines, reports Teresa Ooi. / VIKING RIVER CRUISES After a 16-month hiatus, Viking Cruises returned to French rivers in July with the launch of four new longships – Viking Fjorgyn, Viking Kari, Viking Radgrid and Viking Skaga. The line offers itineraries on the Seine, Rhône and Garonne rivers, as well as the Rhine and Douro rivers. With alfresco Aquavit Terrace casual dining aboard every ship, Viking longships are designed with understated elegance with spacious staterooms. Each ship has 84 cabins for up to 168 passengers. The ships, which dock near the Eiffel Tower, are the perfect getaway for people longing for a romantic French escape. “France is at the top of our guest’s travel list, so we are delighted that our river vessels are once again sailing in this beloved destination,” says Viking chairman Torstein Hagen. / UNIWORLD Uniworld’s SS Le Venezia was the first river ship to launch during the European
A Viking longship on the Main River in Germany. Below: an open-air Aquavit Terrace on a Viking longship.
cruising season. She set sail from Venice in June this year. Once known as the River Countess, the ship has been reimagined as one of Uniworld’s Super Ships that now sail northern Italy. Famed Italian artist and fabric designer Mariano Fortuny inspired the redesign of the reborn vessel. “For our guests, this means a setting and style of service that is wholly immersive in the enduring fascination and magic that is Venice; and is born from more than 100 years of experience,” said Uniworld CEO and president Ellen Bettridge at the unveiling of the new ship last year. The ship can accommodate up to 126 guests and has five classes of staterooms, all capturing the design elements of Venice. Rialto, the main restaurant, serves traditional Venetian cuisines, while Hari’s Bar and Lounge, La Cantinetta and Cielo’s offer more casual dining options.
/ AMAWATERWAYS AmaWaterways launched the elegant 156-passenger AmaLucia this year with comfortable and contemporary twinbalcony staterooms, a sundeck walking track and a pool with swim-up bar. There are tempting tapas served all day, free high-speed WiFi and a complimentary fleet of bicycles. You can explore European cities on guided bike tours or take a bike and go out exploring on your own.
Whether it’s traditional Bavarian music, modern piano favourites or a local quartet, there’s always an eclectic schedule of entertainment on board. Itineraries include a seven-night legendary Danube sailing from Nuremberg to Budapest, and an enchanting seven-night journey from Basel to Amsterdam.
/ RIVIERA TRAVEL The line’s newest ship, the 176-passenger Geoffrey Chaucer, debuted last year, sailing the Danube, Rhine and Main rivers. With two dining venues, a small fitness centre, spa, small pool, putting green and ample deck space, the ship offers a comfortable ‘home base’ to explore Europe. European itineraries include eight nights from Bruges through medieval Flanders and Amsterdam, and the classic eight-night Blue Danube river cruise, a round trip from Budapest. cruisepassenger.com.au 9
