Vantage Deluxe World Travel Christens ms River Splendor

BOSTON, March 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --Vantage Deluxe World Travel, a world renowned tour operator celebrating 30 years of success in 2013, christened the ms River Splendor today in Antwerp as the newest addition to its growing European river cruising fleet. Miss Belgium Noemie Happart led the official naming ceremony as the ship's godmother alongside Vantage COO Kevin Wallace; Roger Spoor, Captain of the ms River Splendor and Patrick Janssens, CEO of Shipyard DeHoop, the Netherlands-based shipyard responsible for designing and building the new ms River Splendor. The new ship will make its inaugural voyage on March 17th from Amsterdam.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130314/NE77431 )

Measuring 442 feet/135 meters, the maximum length allowed by European Union regulations, the ms River Splendor boasts several innovative features that are consistent with Vantage's new fleet including a fuel efficient propulsion system that allows for reduced emissions and earns the vessel a "green ship" designation, energy-saving LED lighting and canvas ceilings throughout the ship, a hydraulic sliding roof allowing for indoor/outdoor dining, and the largest full-service kitchen of any European river cruising company. Holding 176 passengers and 45 crew members, the ms River Splendor offers one of the best crew-to-passenger ratios available and the most public space of any Vantage European river cruising ship. With eight single staterooms, the ms River Splendor has been built to meet the popular demand of single travelers. This newest vessel is the second ship to come online, following the successful launch of the ms River Discovery II in 2012, as part of Vantage's major $120 million fleet investment program.

"We are incredibly excited to launch the second ship of our new fleet, the ms River Splendor alongside our most valued partners and a select group of best customers," said Kevin Wallace, COO of Vantage Deluxe World Travel. "We are expecting significant growth in the number of passengers we host on our European river cruising vessels in 2013 and 2014 including new departures to the Seine, Rhone, Saone in France and the Elbe in Germany, and we are looking forward to offering our customers the best cruising experience available anywhere with this exceptional ship."

In addition to an intimate cruising experience, Vantage's newest ship offers an array of luxurious guest accommodations. The larger staterooms include a 330 square foot owners' suite, 12 spacious 250 square foot deluxe suites, and various other stateroom offerings. 78% of accommodations include French balconies and all boast hotel style beds, individual climate control, flat-screen TVs equipped with free Video on Demand, U.S. channels, and interactive trip planning and GPS tracking; free WiFi; safety deposit boxes; and U.S. outlets and bathroom amenities.

The dazzling new ship also features a state-of-the-art dining room equipped with floor-to-ceiling windows offering diners breathtaking river views while they enjoy a tempting menu of American and European favorites; a full service cocktail lounge featuring live, local entertainment; and internet cafe, library and fitness room.

The new vessel is part of a $120 million fleet investment program, which will immediately double Vantage's river cruising fleet. The ms River Splendor joins the ms River Discovery II, launched in 2012 which will sail on the Rhone and Saone in April 2013, the ms River Venture coming online in late March 2013 and the soon to be renovated ms River Navigator , which will sail again in September 2013 on the Rhine, Main and Danube. In addition to enhanced amenities, the new fleet will offer passengers new itineraries along the Elbe, Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers, a new Grand River voyage in France, and revamped itineraries in Portugal and Russia.

"We could not ask for a better 30th anniversary gift," says Wallace. "We are looking forward to showing our customers the world aboard our new fleet!"

Vantage has been a pioneer in the river boat industry since 1999 and was the first river boat operator to offer their guests spacious staterooms with increased storage space, deluxe suites, upper level staterooms with two single beds which convert to double, and flat-screen television sets in every cabin. Vantage was the first company to introduce headsets, allowing passengers the freedom to listen to guided commentary without having to stand next to the guide, European Vantage Program Managers to give personalized attention to each passenger and more included activities than any other company. Its famous Cultural Connections program allows passengers to get closer to the local culture by experiencing authentic and quintessential experiences such as participating in local village chores, dining in local homes, and partaking in educational lectures and historical walking tours.

About Vantage Deluxe World Travel- Celebrating its 30th Anniversary in 2013, Vantage Deluxe World Travel is a world-renowned tour operator known for delivering the best popular programs, and the company owns a fleet of luxurious river cruise ships that sail the Rhine, Danube, Main, Moselle, Saone and Rhone rivers in addition to exclusively chartering a number of other ships globally. Vantage's Memorable Journeys include upscale escorted tours to a variety of destinations in North and South America, Africa, Europe, the Mediterranean, Asia, and the South Pacific. Vantage Travel programs offer the industry's most comprehensive sightseeing journeys making guests feel like locals instead of tourists and turning a vacation into the trip of a lifetime. Vantage provides quality travel experiences and services that exceed the expectations of customers. For more information on current travel programs, please visit http://www.vantagetravel.com.