New river cruise ships to be named Grace and Joy when they are christened next year
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Tauck is to christen its latest Inspiration Class river cruise ships Grace and Joy when they debut next year.
The names were selected from a pool of nearly 400 entries submitted by Tauck employees during a company-sponsored naming contest conducted last autumn.
“I think these two names are wonderfully evocative of the emotional responses our guests have on our river cruises, both on and off our vessels,” said Dan Mahar, Tauck’s CEO. “Grace is defined as ‘refined movement,’ and I can’t think of a better description of how our guests travel along Europe’s rivers. And our Tauck-exclusive shore excursions, and the 90 years of destination expertise we apply when crafting them, certainly fill our guests with joy.”
Grace and Joy will bring the Tauck riverboat fleet to a total of nine vessels, representing a 125% expansion of the company’s capacity since 2013. Last year, Tauck launched its first two Inspiration Class ships – Inspire and Savor – while a fifth Jewel Class ship, Esprit, is to join Tauck’s fleet this spring.
Able to carry 130 guests, Tauck’s 443 ft-long newbuilds will feature 22 suites measuring 300 sq ft. These will be furnished with two French balconies with floor-to-ceiling windows, a pull-out couch, walk-in wardrobes and a bathroom with a rain shower. In addition, the newbuilds will have 32 cabins measuring 225 sq ft, as well as 13 cabins ranging from 150 to 190 sq ft. Four of these 13 cabins will be reserved for single travellers.
Located on the lower Emerald Deck, eight of Tauck’s 225 sq ft loft cabins feature a raised platform seating area located against the ships’ hull/outer wall with a correspondingly higher ceiling. This has enabled the line to include a taller window than can normally be incorporated into lower-level cabins of riverboats, while the middle of the window can be opened electronically.
All suites and cabins will feature in-room movies, mini bar, individual heating and cooling controls, Molton Brown toiletries, and luxury bedding.
The vessels will also offer Compass Rose, the ship’s main dining room, and Arthur’s, a casual dining venue named after the company’s chairman Arthur Tauck Jr.