Jetsettersblog

Tauck World Discovery launched its third new riverboat in three years in Passau, Germany.

Three generations of Tauck family members gathered with local dignitaries, business colleagues and other guests on April 24 to christen the Swiss Jewel.

The ceremony alongside the Danube River included remarks by Passau’s Lord Mayor Jürgen Dupper, readings by Tauck family members, and music provided by a local brass band.

The christening culminated with a blessing and the traditional breaking of champagne on the ship’s bow by the ship’s godmother, Kiki Tauck Mahar, daughter of company chairman Arthur Tauck Jr. and wife of Tauck CEO Dan Mahar.

The Swiss Jewel joins its sister ships Swiss Sapphire, which was launched last April, and Swiss Emerald, launched in 2006. “Our goal is not to be the biggest river cruise line, but to be the best,” Mahar said.

The Jewel’s hull was constructed at the Vahali Shipyard in Belgrade, Serbia, and then towed to the Vahali facility in Gendt, the Netherlands, where its engines and other major components were installed.

The remaining construction and final outfitting took place in Hardinxveld-Giessendam, the Netherlands. The 361-foot Swiss Jewel accommodates 118 guests, versus 150 or more on other similarly sized vessels.

The Jewel offers a total of 59 outside staterooms, including 14 suites and seven junior suites.

As on Tauck’s other vessels, the Jewel’s 300-square-foot suites have floor-to-ceiling windows, French balconies, walk-in closets and marble baths with full-size tubs.

The additional 45 junior suites and cabins range from 150 to 183 square feet, with 85 percent of all accommodations including floor-to-ceiling windows and French balconies.

Each of the Jewel’s suites, junior suites and cabins feature plasma TVs, mini-bars, terrycloth robes, radios, safes, individual air conditioning and L’Occitane toiletries.

The Jewel also has a second onboard dining option, the Lido bar, where bistro-style food is offered as a more casual alternative to the ship’s main dining room.

Other onboard amenities include a 24-hour hot tub, lounge and wellness center.

Along with a ship’s crew of 29, the Jewel has an onboard staff of three Tauck directors and one cruise director. Following the christening ceremony, attendees boarded the Swiss Jewel for a celebratory overnight cruise on the Danube.

The ship officially entered service two days later when the first Tauck customers embarked on the cruise portion of the company’s 12-day “The Blue Danube” itinerary.

The Jewel will also operate on four additional itineraries — “Budapest to Amsterdam,” “Budapest to the Black Sea,” “The Black Sea to Prague,” and the transcontinental, 24-day “Grand European Cruise.”

For more information, call 800-468-2825 or visit www.tauck.com