Tauck christened its
newest river cruise ship, the 130-passenger Grace, in Maastricht, Netherlands
on Sunday.
With the launch of the
Grace and the forthcoming June christening of sister ship the
Joy, Tauck will have more than doubled the size of its European river fleet,
from four vessels at the start of 2014 to nine vessels this year.
The Grace features 22
suites, all 300 square feet or more, on its upper deck, each outfitted with two
French balconies featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, a pull-out couch, walk-in
closets and a bathroom with rain shower.
In addition to the
suites, the Grace has eight of the 225-square-foot lofted lower cabins
Tauck now incorporates on its new ships, 24 junior suites (also 225 square
feet) on the second deck, and 13 cabins ranging from 150 to 190 square feet
(split between the lower and second decks). All suites and staterooms feature
in-room on-demand movie systems, a minibar, individual heating and cooling
controls, and plush bedding.
There are two dining
venues onboard: the Compass Rose main dining room and the more casual
alternative Arthur’s.
Arthur's restaurant on the Grace.
The Grace is sailing along the Rhine and Moselle rivers.
The Grace was christened
by three godmothers: Katharine Bonner, senior vice president of Tauck river and small ship
cruising; Rebecca Sellet, Tauck's director of worldwide operations, river and small
ship cruising; and Michelle Lavrado, Tauck's product manager for European river
cruising.
Following the christening ceremony, the ship embarked on a
celebratory three-night cruise to Amsterdam with excursions in Antwerp,
Dordecht and Kinderkijk.