 Durant
and Cheryl Imboden'sEurope for Cruisers europeforcruisers.com |
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Viking Sun(Archived article from 2004)
ABOVE: The unfinished Viking Sun after launching at the Merwede Shipyard in Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Netherlands. A new Rhine River ship takes shape for 2005October, 2004: Viking River Cruises is building the Rhine River's largest cruise vessel at Merwede Shiypard in Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Netherlands. The hull is complete, and interior work is underway. The Viking Sun will be 131,80 meters or 433 feet long, with 99 cabins and berths for 198 passengers. The new ship will be the first true three-deck vessel on the Rhine. It will begin service between Antwerp and Basel next spring, offering a 12-day "Treasures of the Rhine" itinerary for American cruisers from April through December. Bob van Beek, who was chief engineer on the Viking Burgundy when I cruised the Saône and Rhône last year, is Viking's yard supervisor for the new ship. In a recent e-mail, he described what's been happening at the shipyard: General comments: "They are working very hard on the Sun. Lots of cabin walls are in place, and they're starting to place the furniture. "On this ship, there is improvement in sound insulation. In the aft, there are special floors of 6 cm in thickness that eliminate vibrations from the engine room. Exhaust funnels are two meters below the water level on the stern for less noise. Also, because the lounge and restaurant are in the foreship and the cabins are in the back, guests in the cabins won't be disturbed by people in public rooms. "There is a big separation between crew and guest cabins, so crew don't have to walk through the guest corridors. (The crew cabins are below the restaurant.)" Cabins: "Cabins on the upper deck have French windows--no balcony, but windows that open completely from the top to bottom. Some ships from other companies have balconies, but they are only occasionally used. Our design gives more room in the cabin. "The air conditioning is a special ceiling unit, and the outlet is the width of the cabins. This results in a 'temperature blanket' with no noise and no draft. Fresh air comes into every cabin, and the passenger can adjust the temperature plus or minus 5-8° C (9-14° F). "The TV is from Sony. When there is an announcement in the cabin, the TV sound will be muted automatically. All cabins are equipped with the Vingcard security system, even the crew cabins and lockers. And there is a LAN connection in every cabin." Public rooms: "The windows in the lounge, bar, restaurant, and other public rooms are massive for a maximum view to the outside, and they're tinted to provide some protection against incoming sunlight. Also, a big veranda in the entrance area gives a roomier feeling inside the ship. "The reception is completely open. This is good for the guest and front-office crew, because it doesn't give a feeling of separation between guest and cruise management. "In the restaurant there is a nice big buffet. The restaurant is behind the galley. "Finally, there is a big sun deck with awnings in the back." Next page: More technical improvements, Web links
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