By
Rebecca Gibson |
This article was first published in the Spring/Summer 2019 issue of Spring/Summer 2019 issue of International Cruise & Ferry Review. All information was correct at the time of printing, but may since have changed.
Two innovative new cruise vessels will hit Europe’s rivers this April. The first is named Avalon Envision and is the latest in a long line of Suite Ships to join Avalon Waterways. Highlights on the 135-metre-long ship include restaurants, lounges and Panorama Suites, which are 30% larger than industry-standard staterooms. The suites have wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows which open to create the river cruise industry’s widest balconies.
The second is Adora, which was ordered by Bulgarian company Dunav Tours and will be operated by Phoenix Reisen. At 135 metres long and 11.4 metres wide, Adora will be the largest vessel in Dunav Tours’ fleet and will have 95 cabins (most with French balconies), a lounge and more.
Both vessels have been expertly constructed by family-run Den Breejen Shipyard in Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Netherlands.
“Our cooperation with Avalon Waterways dates back to 2007 – we provide maintenance services for its fleet during the winter months and we deliver one (or more) new ships for the company almost every year,” says Ilona Kamsteeg-Den Breejen, managing director of Den Breejen Shipyard. “Avalon Envision is the 18th Avalon Waterways vessel and we’ve made several small evolutions to the Suite Ship design for Avalon Envision – there’s a new bridge layout and a different type of sewage system, as well as several interior upgrades. We will deliver another Suite Ship, Avalon View, at the end of 2019.”
Dunav Tours is a slightly newer partner for Den Breejen. “Our relationship with Dunav Tours started a few years ago when we carried out a conversion project on one of its existing ships but Adora is our first newbuild order from the company,” says Kamsteeg. “Adora is a new concept for the Dunav fleet and she will also be the first of its vessels to have two restaurants.”
Avalon Waterways and Dunav Tours are not the only river cruise companies opting to build ships at Den Breejen. Next, it will construct three river cruise vessels for PCE Fondsmanagement, which will be delivered in 2020 and 2021. “We have considerably expanded our customer base for newbuild vessels,” Kamsteeg remarks.
Kamsteeg attributes Den Breejen’s busy order book to the shipyard’s close proximity to Europe’s inland waterways, its well-equipped facilities and the fact it has developed alternative power and propulsion solutions specifically to help river cruise operators meet emissions requirements. “We can provide diesel-electric and hybrid solutions for propulsion, as well as diesel direct in the new Stage V solution with after treatment,” she says.
Most importantly, notes Kamsteeg, Den Breejen has a skilled and experienced team that provides all the high-quality services shipowners need when they want to design and build new ships, or when they want to maintain or upgrade their existing fleet.
“Shipowners want a partner that offers high quality for a good price and flexibility in design and Den Breejen scores well above average on these criteria,” Kamsteeg says. “We put our customers first and collaborate with them to find the best possible way to shape their wishes into a luxurious reality while keeping within budget and the agreed deadline.”
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