All 10 ships are identical
Viking Longships, a series first introduced in 2012. These long and low ships
(made to glide under low bridges and into narrow docks) include river cruise
ship innovations such as indoor-outdoor viewing areas and two-room suites; they
are also equipped with herb gardens, solar panels and energy-efficient hybrid
engines. The ships are now sailing major rivers in France, Germany and Austria;
in the Eastern European countries of Hungary, Serbia, Romania, Croatia and
Bulgaria; and through the springtime tulip fields of The Netherlands.
River cruise line AmaWaterways
just launched the AmaPrima and the AmaVida, which offer sun decks, pools
(still unusual on river ships), and a choice of dining venues. The AmaPrima is sailing the Danube and other
great rivers of Europe; the AmaVida is
sailing Portugal’s Douro River.
Avalon Waterways is expanding
its fleet of river-going “suite ships” in 2013 with the Avalon Artistry II and the Avalon
Expression. Avalon’s suite ships have two full decks of 200-square-foot
Panorama Suites and 300-square foot Royal Suites, designed to provide ample
storage, comfort and great views through a wall of windows. Board the Artistry II to sail between Amsterdam and
Zurich or Basel, Switzerland, while the Expression
will take you between Amsterdam and Budapest.
As for ocean cruise ship
launches, some of the most highly anticipated new ships are Norwegian Cruise
Line’s Breakaway, set to debut in
early May; and Princess Cruises’ Royal
Princess, scheduled to be christened by Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, on
June 13.
For more information on new
ships and their itineraries, talk with Anita, your Cruise Holidays personal cruise
expert.
