On March 19, the sister ships Spirit of the Danube and Spirit of the Rhine were officially named by godmother Dame Jenni Murray at a ceremony in Arnhem, the Netherlands. The two ships are based on Saga's boutique design philosophy, as seen in its ocean-going vessels Spirit of Adventure and Spirit of Discovery, and will offer a luxury cruising experience to guests on Europe's famous waterways.
The addition of the Spirit of the Danube to the Saga fleet was announced in February 2021, and it has since been built at the Vahali shipyards in Serbia and the Netherlands. Following the naming ceremony, it will embark on its maiden voyage along the Dutch and Belgian waterways. Due to the disruption caused by Covid-19, the Spirit of the Rhine embarked on its maiden voyage along the Moselle Valley in September 2021.
Both ships have been built with guests at the heart of their design. Each vessel features four passenger decks and 91 cabins, accommodating up to 182 guests and up to 50 crew members. Each ship boasts the world-class amenities that Saga guests have come to expect. The Spirit of the Rhine evokes Saga's grand ocean-going vessels, while the Spirit of the Danube draws inspiration from Art Nouveau and the Danube Delta, incorporating elements such as migratory birds throughout the ship.
Before the ceremony, Saga Cruises CEO Nigel Blanks said: “After the delays caused by the pandemic, we are delighted to formally christen both ships.”.
Regarding Dame Jenni's appointment as godmother, Nigel Blanks continued: “With her extensive career in broadcasting, including the fantastic BBC program Woman's Hour, Dame Jenni Murray is the perfect godmother for Spirit of the Danube and Spirit of the Rhine. We already know she is a favorite with our customers for her regular column in Saga magazine, and we are honored to have her on board.”.
Regarding her appointment, Dame Jenni said: “I am delighted to be taking part in the christening ceremony of the Spirit of the Rhine and the Spirit of the Danube. As a cruise enthusiast, it is an honor to participate in this maritime tradition.”.
Following the ceremony, the Spirit of the Danube embarks on an inaugural seven-day cruise through the Dutch and Belgian waterways on March 21, before the Spirit of the Rhine embarks on its next cruise, Keukenhof and Dutch Delights, also a seven-night voyage.
