Evergreen Cruises & Tours’ sister brand Emerald Waterways held its final launch for 2017 with Emerald Liberté, the third in the trio of new ‘Star Ships’, officially christened on Sunday October 1 in Lyon, France.
Australian travel industry veteran and long-standing cruise and tour director Maxine Collins took the honours as Godmother during the official christening ceremony.
“Maxine has lead over 200 tours and around 5,000 Evergreen and Scenic guests around the world during her 28 years with the company and has been one of our most popular and highly regarded ambassadors. She was the clear choice as godmother to Emerald Liberté as a tribute to her commitment to excellence and a lifetime of service with our company,” said Angus Crichton, General Manager Evergreen Cruises & Tours.
“It’s an honour and a privilege to be Godmother of this beautiful ship, Emerald Liberté, and I wish all who sail on her safe passage and a wonderful journey through the magnificent south of France,” said Ms Collins.
Emerald Liberté’s christening follows the official launch of Emerald Radiance in Porto in June with top UK travel agent Gill Williams as godmother. Emerald Destiny, the first of the new 2017 ‘Star Ships’, was christened in Vienna in May by godmother Coleen Christie, the award-winning Canadian newscaster.
The fleet of ‘Star Ships’ now totals seven since the Emerald Waterways brand launched in 2014. This year alone the river cruise line has welcomed over 17,000 guests onto the Rhine, Main and Danube, Portugal’s Douro, and the Rhône and Saône rivers in France.
As the first ‘Star Ship’ in France, Emerald Liberté has been custom-built and offers affordable luxury. The ship features the trademark clean lines and contemporary style, plus innovations like the pool which turns into a cinema at night, and drop-down glass balcony windows in all suites. The boutique ship has a capacity of 138 guests and a crew-to-guest ratio of 1:3 ensuring a high level of service.
Emerald Liberté cruises the Rhône and Saône Rivers through the ever-popular Provence and Burgundy region on eight day Sensations of Southern France itineraries from either Lyon or Arles between April and October from just $3,895pp twin share.
The itinerary includes Chalon-Sur-Saône, Beaune, Macon, Tournon, Arles and of course historic Avignon where guests are also treated to an on-board, Provençal-style highlight dinner by acclaimed local chef and Top Chef France finalist, Fabien Morreale.
Exciting South of France Cruise Combinations
Evergreen packages the eight day cruise with other cruises and tours for the Australian market.
• Popular: 15 day Rhine & Rhône River Cruise from Amsterdam to Nice (EWAR). Start in Amsterdam then cruise the Rhine to Basel on the first of two seven-night cruises. Discover Cologne Cathedral, the Koblenz Fortress, experience the Rhine Gorge and more before embarking on the seven-night Rhône & Saône Rivers cruise. 40 meals included. Departure: 11 August, 2018 from $7,920pp* twin share
• Exclusive – Evergreen’s 15 Day Three Rivers Discovery Cruise (EFPC) in Portugal and France features two seven-night deluxe ‘Star Ship’ cruises on Portugal’s Douro and France’s Rhône and Saône Rivers including transfers. 39 meals included. Departure: 8 September, 2018 from $9,030pp* twin share
• New for 2018 – 22 Day Spain, Lisbon and Sensations of Southern France River Cruise (EFSL) –The South of France river cruise preceeds an 11 night fully escorted tour of Spain from Barcelona to Madrid and then to Granada to explore the Alhambra Palace. Visit the Rock of Gibraltar and Seville, then discover Lisbon with a three night stay. 40 meals included. Departure: 18 August 2018, from $10,340pp* twin share
• New for 2018 – 15 Day Sensations of Southern France & Mediterranean Cruise (EMED) – Enjoy the South of France river cruise then join a seven night cruise of the Mediterranean Sea onboard MSC Seaview stopping at Genoa, Naples, Messina, Valetta in Malta, then Barcelona. 40 meals included. Departure: 13 October, 2018, from $5,125pp* twin share
Offers
• Evergreen’s Earlybird offers with savings up to $1,200pp on the France cruise program must end 30 October, 2017
The 2018 Europe River Cruising brochure can be viewed, downloaded or ordered from the www.evergreentours.com.au/brochures. For bookings, please contact your local travel agent, visit www.evergreentours.com.au or call 1300 383 747.
SOURCE: Evergreen Cruises & Tours