Miss Belgium Noémie Happart to Christen New Vantage River Cruising Ship

Vantage Deluxe World Travel will officially launch their new river cruising vessel, ms River Splendor on March 14th at a grand inaugural event in Antwerp, Belgium. Miss Belgium Noémie Happart will serve as the godmother of the ms River Splendor in a traditional naming ceremony in which the godmother breaks a “christening fluid” or bottle of champagne over the vessel, officially declaring it named, blessed and ready to sail. Noémie Happart, from Grace-Hollogne in the province of Liege, became Miss Belgium earlier this year and will go on to represent Belgium at the Miss World and Miss Universe pageants later this year.

The new vessel is part of a $120 million fleet investment program, which will double Vantage’s river cruising fleet by 2014. The new ship offers intimate cruising for no more than 176 passengers, single staterooms and single seating dining options as well as larger staterooms with French balconies and wi-fi throughout the ship. This launch follows the successful inaugural season of the ms River Discovery II, which launched in March 2012. In addition to enhanced amenities, passengers can choose from new itineraries along the Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers, a new Grand River voyage in France, and revamped itineraries in Portugal and Russia.

The celebratory christening along the port of Antwerp, in Belgium will include live music, toasts and speeches from Vantage management followed by a three-course dinner aboard the new ms River Splendor for over 200 guests. The following day, the ms River Splendor will depart on a four-day inaugural voyage along the Rhine River to Amsterdam. While Cruise Diva has been devoted to sharing information about ocean cruises for two decades, Mel and I will be on board for the inaugural to experience a brand new style of cruising for us, so watch for our reports and photos next month.

“Vantage has been building vessels in central Europe for 30 years and our friends in The Netherlands and Belgium have always been gracious and hospitable,” says Vantage COO Kevin Wallace. “Our Waterways of Holland & Belgium trip continues to be one of the most popular in our portfolio and we could not be more excited to welcome Miss Belgium Noémie Happart as our godmother on March 14th to help us celebrate our fleet expansion.”

Designed with the American traveler in mind, the 442 ft. ms River Splendor will offer luxury amenities and the best crew-to-passenger ratios in the industry, says Wallace. “Our extensive selection of river cruise itineraries is really changing the way travelers experience all corners of Europe.”

Image Courtesy of Vantage Deluxe World Travel