At least ten new riverboats began sailing in Europe, Asia, and Egypt in 2009. These river ships are owned or operated by river cruise companies AMAWaterways, Avalon Waterways, Tauck, Uniworld, Victoria Cruises, and Viking River Cruises. Some of the riverboats include small balconies, and all have outside accommodations. The seven riverboats sailing in Europe are all of similar size and width. The Victoria Jenna, which sails in China, carries 378 passengers; the Uniworld Tosca, which sails in Egypt, has 42 suites; and the AMAWaterways MS La Marguerite, which sails the Mekong River in SE Asia, carries 92 passengers.
River Beatrice - Uniworld River Cruises' River Beatrice
River Beatrice Courtesy of Uniworld River Cruises
The River Beatrice was launched in March 2009 and offers staterooms with 80 percent having French balconies. Room appointments include hotel-style beds with fine Egyptian cotton sheets and European comforters, plush terry robes, soothing bath amenities, bottled water, individual air conditioning, and flat-screen televisions offering a selection of viewing choices. The ship also boasts a lounge with panoramic views, restaurant, library, sundeck, massage services, fitness center, and the use of bicycles ashore.
The River Beatrice sails the Danube River in Europe on two itineraries – the nine-day "Enchanting Danube" from March through November of 2009 and the nine-day "Danube Holiday Markets" with departures in November and December 2009.
The River Beatrice sails the Danube River in Europe on two itineraries – the nine-day "Enchanting Danube" from March through November of 2009 and the nine-day "Danube Holiday Markets" with departures in November and December 2009.
MS Amalyra - AMA Waterways' MS Amalyra
AMAWaterways MS Amalyra Courtesy of AMAWaterways
MS Amalyra was christened in Vilshofen, Germany in April 2009. Like her sister ships, she features a sleek, upscale interior, high-tech amenities (such as complimentary Wi-Fi), and traditional European service and ambiance. The MS Amalyra cabins are 170-square feet, with over eighty-two percent boasting French balconies. The bathrooms are marble-appointed and cabins include terry robes and slippers for guests' use. Meals in the restaurant are accompanied by complimentary local wines and specialty coffees. The vessels also feature a fitness center, beauty salon, whirlpool, walking track on the Sun Deck and a fleet of bicycles for passenger use.
The MS Amalyra sails the grand rivers of Europe.
The MS Amalyra sails the grand rivers of Europe.
Swiss Jewel - Tauck World Discovery Swiss Jewel
Swiss Jewel Courtesy of Tauck World Discovery
The Swiss Jewel was launched in April 2009, and features three passenger decks designed to accommodate only 118 guests – as opposed to most similar-sized riverboats, which average about 140 guests. The MS Swiss Jewel has outside cabins and junior suites, ranging from 150 to 183 square feet, with plasma TV, mini-bar, radio, safe, hair dryer, adjustable air conditioning and private bathroom with shower, pampering L’Occitane toiletries and terry cloth robes and slippers; power is 220 volt. Floor-to-ceiling windows with French balconies grace 85 percent of the cabins.
The Swiss Jewel has both a panoramic restaurant and alternative bistro dining in the teak-lined Lido Bar on the aft deck.
The Swiss Jewel is sailing European River cruises.
The Swiss Jewel has both a panoramic restaurant and alternative bistro dining in the teak-lined Lido Bar on the aft deck.
The Swiss Jewel is sailing European River cruises.
MS Amaldolce - AMAWaterways MS Amaldolce
AMAWaterways MS Amaldolce Bar Courtesy of AMAWaterways
AMAWaterways launched the 148-passenger MS Amadolce, a twin sister of the MS Amalyra, in June 2009. The Amadolce has the same configuration and amenities as the Amalyra, but a different color scheme. MS Amadolce also features complimentary Wi-Fi; 170-square foot standard cabins, plush bedding with down duvets, flat-screen TVs, in-room "Infotainment system, marble-appointed bathrooms, spa-quality bath amenities, terry robes and slippers. Meals in the restaurant are accompanied by complimentary local wines, and complimentary specialty coffees are always available in the main lounge or at meals.
Viking Legend - Viking River Cruises' Viking Legend
Viking Legend Courtesy of Viking River Cruises
The Viking Legend is the longest Viking ship and was launched in early July 2009. She carries 189 guests in cabins with either French balconies or picture windows. The new ship should be a quiet one--she uses four smaller propellers instead of two large ones. Amenities include 26-inch flat-screen televisions, refrigerators, hair dryers and in-room safes. Passengers will enjoy dining at the ship's restaurant, a library, sun deck, souvenir shop, and observation lounge.
The Viking Legend will debut on the 15-day Grand European Tour itinerary, which sails on the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers between Amsterdam and Budapest. I sailed this itinerary on the Viking Spirit and loved the delightful river towns and amazing scenery.
The Viking Legend will debut on the 15-day Grand European Tour itinerary, which sails on the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers between Amsterdam and Budapest. I sailed this itinerary on the Viking Spirit and loved the delightful river towns and amazing scenery.
Avalon Affinity - Avalon Waterways' Avalon Affinity
Avalon Affinity Courtesy of Avalon Waterways
The Avalon Affinity was launched in June of 2009. Carrying a maximum of just 138 passengers with four suites, she is the smallest of the Avalon ships. In addition, there is an elevator, and the whirlpool on the Sky Deck allows for a refreshing dip after a day of sightseeing. Other amenities include
- Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors in most staterooms
- French balconies in most staterooms
- Flatscreen satellite TV & radio
- Private bathroom with shower
- European-style duvets and Egyptian cotton linens
- Large closets
- Minibar, hairdryer & safe
- Individual climate control
Avalon Creativity - Avalon Waterways' Avalon Creativity
Avalon Creativity Courtesy of Avalon Waterways
The Avalon Creativity was launched in July 2009 and is a sister ship to the Avalon Affinity discussed above.
The Avalon Creativity sails the Rhine River in 2009 and the rivers of France in 2010.
The Avalon Creativity sails the Rhine River in 2009 and the rivers of France in 2010.
Tosca - Uniworld River Cruises' Tosca
Tosca Courtesy of Uniworld River Cruises
The Tosca was launched in September 2009 and sails three itineraries on the Nile River in Egypt. She is the smallest new riverboat of the year.
The Tosca has 42 suites with French balconies. These suites have built-in closets, hair dryer, safe, individual air conditioning, direct dial telephone, flat-screen TV, iPod® docking station, and a private bathroom with robes, slippers, and bath amenities. The Tosca also has
The Tosca has 42 suites with French balconies. These suites have built-in closets, hair dryer, safe, individual air conditioning, direct dial telephone, flat-screen TV, iPod® docking station, and a private bathroom with robes, slippers, and bath amenities. The Tosca also has
- Lavishly adorned lounge with full-service bar, cozy library, and elegant restaurant
- Library and game room
- Boutique
- Fitness center and massage services
- Sun deck with cabana-lined pool and rooftop bar
- Wireless Internet access
- 24-hour tea & coffee bar
- Front desk service
- Laundry facilities
- Elevator
Victoria Jenna - Victoria Cruises' Victoria Jenna
Victoria Jenna Courtesy of Victoria Cruises
The Victoria Jenna is the largest ship in the Victoria Cruises' Yangtze River fleet, carrying 378 passengers on five decks. The Victoria Jenna cabins have televisions with HBO and CNN broadcasts, private bathroom with a shower and bathtub, and a private balcony so passengers can appreciate the magnificent views of the Yangtze River. The Victoria Jenna features two dining rooms (a single seating main dining room and an a la carte restaurant), a fitness room, lecture room, library/reading room, the Yangtze Club (theater-style night club), cocktail lounge, beauty salon, gift shop, spacious observation deck, business center, Internet access, health clinic and an atrium lobby.
MS La Marguerite - AMAWaterways' MS La Marguerite
AMAWaterways MS La Marguerite Courtesy of AMAWaterways
The 92-passenger MS La Marguerite was specifically built to provide a luxurious and immersive experience on South East Asia’s Mekong River. AMAWaterways features 7-night cruises on the Mekong River of Cambodia and Vietnam on the La Marguerite. For those who want to spend more time in SE Asia, AMAWaterways also has 15-day cruise tours that spend 2 nights in Hanoi, overnight in Ha Long Bay, then travel to Siem Reap for a 3-night stay before the 7-night Mekong River cruise, ending the cruise tour journey with an overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).
The staterooms on La Marguerite range in size from 226 square feet in the standard cabins to 452 square feet in the two Indochina suites.
The staterooms on La Marguerite range in size from 226 square feet in the standard cabins to 452 square feet in the two Indochina suites.
