This Week in Cruise: Updates on New River, Expedition and Ocean Ships

This week in the cruise industry a number of cruise ships – set to sail oceans and rivers, as well as to far-flung adventure destinations – either made their debut or moved forward toward launch. 

This week the AmaMagna, the newest river cruise ship from AmaWaterways, made its debut on the Danube River, setting sail on its inaugural voyage from Vilshofen, Germany, to Budapest, Hungary. An Oktoberfest-themed welcome event saw the new ship off, overseen by the ship’s captain, cruise manager and hotel services manager. 

In other river cruise news, this week A-Rosa River Cruises released new details on the upcoming E Motion ship, which is slated to launch in 2021. The new ship will incorporate a number of features aimed at boosting sustainability, including battery propulsion and air bubbles technology, as well as a separate sitting and sleeping area, balcony, LED TV, storage space and bathroom in each cabin. There will also be a dedicated family area with a Kids’ Club, plus restaurants, a bar, a fitness room, a spa and wellness area with sauna, a heat bench, an ice grotto and massage and treatment rooms.

In expedition cruise news, this week the Scenic Eclipse headed to drydock prior to the ship’s August 15 launch. Scenic also announced the new Discovery Yacht’s captain this week: James Griffiths, who has previously served as expedition captain with Windstar and captain of Lindblad’s National Geographic Explorer, as well as 11 years with Cunard Lines.

Finally, in ocean cruise news, this week MSC Cruises started a six-month countdown to the launch of the MSC Grandiosa. Set to debut November 9 in Hamburg, the new ship will be the largest in the MSC fleet and the first in the cruise line’s new Meraviglia Plus class of vessels. 

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