Tauck Christens New ms Grace
Tauck family members and executives recently joined with select partner-suppliers and travel agents to celebrate the christening of the new ms Grace riverboat in Maastricht, Netherlands.
The launch of the sleek and elegant Grace comes as Tauck is more than doubling the size of its European riverboat fleet, from four vessels at the start of 2014 to nine later this year with the June christening of another new ship, the ms Joy.
Following remarks from Tauck CEO Dan Mahar and Maastricht mayor Annemarie Penn-te Strake, the Grace was officially christened by three long-time Tauck employees who guide the company’s river cruising efforts. Sharing godmother honours were Katharine Bonner, senior vice-president of Tauck River & Small Ship Cruising; Rebecca Sellet, director worldwide operations, River & Small Ship Cruising; and Michelle Lavrado, product manager for European River Cruising.
After the christening ceremony, the ship embarked on a celebratory three-night cruise to Amsterdam highlighted by in-depth shore excursions in Antwerp, Dordecht and Kinderkijk during the day and on-board folkloric performances in the evening.
Like the other ships in Tauck’s fleet, the 135-metre Grace has more suites (defined by Tauck as staterooms of 300 square feet or more) than any other European riverboat. Located on the upper Diamond deck, each of the ship’s 22 suites is furnished with two French balconies featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, a pull-out couch, walk-in closets with built-in drawers and a spacious bathroom with rain shower.
Along with the suites, Grace offer eight 225-square-foot Loft cabins located on its lower (Emerald) deck, an additional 24 junior suites of the same size on the Ruby (middle) deck, plus a total of 13 cabins ranging from 150 to 190 square feet split between the Ruby and Emerald decks. All suites and cabins feature in-room movies, minibar, individual heating and cooling controls, luxury toiletries, and plush bedding with 100% goose down pillows, 400-thread-count linens and pillow-top mattresses.
Grace will sail on itineraries along the Rhine and Moselle Rivers.
