Scenic 'space ship' Jasper christened in Vienna
Stephen Scourfield sees a new ‘space ship’ launched.
Scenic Jasper was christened in Vienna on Tuesday, becoming the 11th of the company’s river-cruising “space ships” and the first of a new generation.
European river-cruising ships are limited to a maximum length of 135m and width of 11.4m because of regulations, locks and bridges. “So trying to find more space is a very difficult thing,” says Scenic founder and chairman Glen Moroney.
But he wanted to extend the exterior area at the front, have a bigger gym and to eke out even more space in the suites. “We also wanted to change almost everything in the interior.”
The other part of the “we” in that scenario is Glen’s wife and design partner Karen, who has a 30-year career in travel touring and has driven the project. And it is clear that they have succeeded.
Jacques Den Breejen, of the Den Breejen Shipyard in the Netherlands, which built Scenic Jasper, says unequivocally: “It is the most advanced ship of its type.”
Scenic Jasper is the first of this third generation of Scenic “space ships”. It is joined by Scenic Opal, which was due to be delivered last week.
Mr Moroney, who founded Scenic in 1987, at first just with coach trips to the Australian coast, revealed six more of the third-generation “space ships” are being built, for delivery next year.
Scenic Jasper, which was christened by Australian-born, England-based author Kathy Lette, will cruise the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers.
There are still some offers on last available suites on 2015 Europe river cruises and Scenic has a selection of 2016 European river cruising pre-release offers.
Stephen Scourfield attended the launch as a guest of Scenic and Emirates. Travel agents and scenictours.com.
