A few weeks ago, Riviera Travel revealed that their latest new addition to the fleet will set sail in the spring of 2020. Following a naming convention that has seen famous authors like William Shakespeare, Jane Austin and, new for 2019, William Wordsworth and George Eliot give their names to luxury vessels, the newest will be called Geoffrey Chaucer.

Next year’s arrival will continue to cement Riviera’s fleet as the youngest in Europe. She will bring the number of five-star ships the line owns up to 13, none of which were built any earlier than 2013. This doesn’t include Swiss Ruby, which is regularly chartered from Scylla Cruises. Having a young fleet not only means these vessels are modern and spacious, but that they also employ recent technological advancements to help reduce emissions and noise pollution.

Geoffrey Chaucer will be yet another all-suite ship, meaning there will be six of these to choose from when you sail with Riviera. Along with the glorious sun deck, spacious observation lounge and beautifully appointed spa, she will boast a second restaurant to give you more choice when it comes to mealtimes. As with the other vessels that offer this extra option, The Bistro will be slightly more intimate and feature al-fresco seating to help take advantage of those days when the weather stays warm throughout the evening.

When you also consider the 88 luxurious suites that will offer a home-from-home for 169 guests, many of which will host space-saving French balconies that are revealed with the sliding of a floor-to-ceiling glass door, it’s clear to see Geoffrey Chaucer will be another great option if you’re looking for a European river cruise.

Emerald Harmony Edges Closer

One ship that is a lot closer to making her debut, albeit along the Mekong and not in Europe, is Emerald Harmony. Last summer, we told you how Emerald Waterways was busy constructing their very own Asian river cruise vessel and this month will see her head off on her maiden voyage.

As the line’s first Star-Ship in this region, she will boast several exclusive features. These include the dark wood-clad Lotus Lounge, where daily nibbles are served; the Reflections Restaurant, conjuring up some flavourful Asian delights; and a retractable sunshade on the top deck to provide some much-needed shade in the middle of the day.

If you would like to know more about either of the two ships mentioned here, you can talk to our team about Mekong river cruises or sailings along European waterways. Simply call us on 0800 954 0064 or sign up to our mailing list for regular deals and news.