By
Rebecca Gibson |
Netherlands-based Shipyard De Hoop has delivered River Splendor and River Venture to Vantage Deluxe World Travel, completing a series of three new generation ships for the tour operator. The first vessel, River Discovery II, was delivered in 2012.
River Splendor was named by Noémie Happart, the current Miss Belgium, during a ceremony in Antwerp on 14 March 2013, before embarking on her maiden voyage on 17 March. River Venture will set sail for her inaugral cruise on 26 March, from Amsterdam.
The 135-metre ships have several innovative features including a hydraulic sliding roof over the aft area for indoor/outdoor dining, a state-of-the-art audio system, entertainment-on-demand and a GPS tracking system in the cabins. Each has energy-saving LED lighting, lightweight canvas ceilings, fuel-efficient propulsion systems and advanced hull design, which reduces emission levels, enabling them to be classified as ‘green ships’.
De Hoop’s partnership with Vantage began 12 years ago and to date, the shipyard has designed, built and delivered seven vessels for the travel company.