Vantage Deluxe World Travel Christens ms River Discovery II

BOSTON, March 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Vantage Deluxe World Travel, a world renowned tour operator that will be celebrating 30 years of success in 2013, yesterday christened the ms River Discovery II as the newest edition to its growing European river cruising fleet. Vantage's most valuable customer, June Spargo, 85 of Pennsville, NJ, who has traveled with Vantage 63 times, led the official naming ceremony alongside Vantage executives Bret Gordon, COO; Rudi Joham, VP of Product Development; Roger Spoor, Captain of the ms River Discovery II and Patrick Janssens, CEO of Shipyard DeHoop, the Netherlands-based shipyard responsible for designing and building the ms River Discovery II. The new ship will make its inaugural voyage on March 23rd from Amsterdam.

Measuring 135 meters, the maximum length allowed by European Union regulations, the ms River Discovery II boasts several innovative features 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, the first-ever hydraulic sliding roof on a river cruising vessel for indoor/outdoor dining, and the largest full-service kitchen of any European river cruising vessel.    Holding 176 passengers and 45 crew members, the ms River Discovery II 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 Discovery II also offers the most accommodations for single travelers of any European river cruising vessel currently in existence.  This newest vessel is part of a major $120 million fleet investment program, which will double Vantage's river cruising fleet by 2014.

"We are thrilled to launch the new ms River Discovery II alongside our most valued partners and a select group of best customers," said Bret Gordon, COO for Vantage Deluxe World Travel.  "We are expecting 25% growth in the number of passengers we host on our European river cruising vessels by 2013, and we are looking forward to offering those 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 sparkling 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.

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, a European Vantage Program Manager per coachload 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 value in deluxe travel - guaranteed. River cruises in Europe are among Vantage's most 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 others.  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 a 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/.

SOURCE Vantage Deluxe World Travel