The build of Scenic’s two next-generation Scenic ‘Space-Ships’ is fully underway, ready for launch in April 2015. The Scenic Jasper and Scenic Opal will sail the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers and bring the fleet total to 12 – including boutique small ship, Scenic Tsar, which exclusively sails in Russia.
Both new ships will boast the largest suites on the rivers with the ultimate in private balcony accommodation – the
44m2 Royal Panorama Suites, and a new vitality pool for guests to enjoy on the Sun Deck.
Widely regarded as the finest on Europe’s waterways, Scenic ‘Space-Ships’ are designed and built by leading Dutch specialist river cruise shipyard, Den Breejen, who is currently in week 32 of the build.
Both the forward and aft parts of Scenic Jasper have been transported from shipyard in The Netherlands to Antwerp in Belgium where the process of aligning the two parts on the slipway has begun, it is expected to be completed
early next week. Painting on upper and main deck floating floors and in the restaurant and lounge, has taken place in preparation for laying the flooring and starting ceiling and wall insulations, respectively. Cabling in the cabins is still
in progress.
The Scenic Opal is still at the shipyard in The Netherlands, with the forward and aft parts being worked on separately ahead of transportation. Constructional works on the forward part are in good progress with many features
currently being installed this week including steel ventilation ducting in the restaurant, the installation of watertight doors and coolers in the engine room. The aft part has undergone the erection of the stairways and steel walls around the engine room plus the installation of the aluminium frames for the balcony foldable windows on the main and upper deck cabins.
Glen Moroney, Scenic Tours Founder and Chairman, commented: “It is always exciting to see the ships come together and we are delighted to welcome Jasper and Opal to the Scenic fleet next year. We work only with the best shipbuilders so we can continue to break new ground with our cutting edge design and are proud to be the only 100 per cent Australian owned and operated river cruise line in Europe, with the newest fleet of ships to sail the European rivers.”
Source: Scenic Tours