The cruise ship 'River Discovery II' has left Dutch builder Shipyard De Hoop's yard for Amsterdam.
'River Discovery II' is the first in a series of four cruise ships that Shipyard De Hoop is building for US tour operator Vantage Deluxe World Travel, and is the first in a series of new-generation ships. The ships have a classic retro look but feature the very latest technologies.
It is the first time that De Hoop designed a 135-metre ship for this customer, the maximum length allowed by EU regulations. The second ship, 'River Splendor', also 135 metres long, is currently under construction on the slipway and will be delivered in early 2013. For the third ship, 'River Venture' (110 metres), the preparatory work is in progress for delivery in the course of 2013. The production of the fourth ship, also 135 metres, will be started soon.
The new-generation Vantage ship has many innovative features. The vessel is propelled by two Caterpillar C32 engines in combination with Veth rudder propellers, allowing it to be classified as "green ships", with low emissions (Tier 2). The entire ship is equipped with LED lighting – with some 2,600 lights using 3W instead of 445W, this results in enormous energy savings.
The special hull shape allows a minimum draught of 1.45 metres, allowing operations in shallow water In addition, Vantage ships can reach the desired cruising speed of 22 km/h using relatively little power, which saves a considerable amount of fuel. Low resistance and smart construction make for fewer vibrations and less noise, resulting in more comfort for passengers.
A high-tech audio system has been installed in the public areas of the ships, along with entertainment-on-demandand a GPS tracking system in the cabins. De Hoop has developed a new type of stretch ceiling, bringing together the advantages of system ceilings (separate tiles) or fixed plaster ceilings. The high-quality interior is (and will continue to be) low-maintenance. At the back of the ship, above the bar and the conservatory, there is a hydraulic sliding roof that can be fully opened and closed within three minutes, creating additional outside space.