AMSTERDAM — Boston-based Vantage Deluxe World Travel christened the 176-passenger River Discovery II here on Sunday.
The vessel caters to solo travelers with single cabins, an option absent from most of the new river cruise ships being built today.
While most river cruise lines are boasting larger staterooms and suites, the River Discovery II features the requisite 330-square-foot owner's suite and 12 deluxe suites at 250 square feet, but also houses eight single cabins on the ship’s lower deck. The single cabins are 125 square feet each.
Vantage executives said there is a growing demand from passengers traveling alone.
Additionally, 78% of the staterooms have French balconies, there is free WiFi onboard and U.S. outlets in the cabins.
Another unique feature of the ship is a casual lounge at the aft of the vessel, with a retractable skylight roof that allows for open-air dining and seating when weather permits, or for natural light when temperatures are cooler.
The River Discovery II brings Vantage’s company-owned fleet in Europe to three. Vantage also owns the 140-passenger River Navigator and the 170-passenger River Odyssey. It retired the 170-passenger River Explorer this year.
In 2013, the company will add two more vessels to its fleet, the 176-passenger River Splendor and the 136-passenger River Venture.
The River Navigator will be repositioned to the Rhone River in the south of France, and the remaining vessels will sail on the Rhine, Main, Moselle and Danube rivers.
The newbuilds are part of a $120 million fleet investment. The ships are being built at the De Hoop shipyard in the Netherlands.
Vantage also charters several vessels throughout Europe and one in Russia.
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