The Most Luxurious River Cruise Ship in the World
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection christened its new Super Ship S.S. Antoinette, in an inauguration ceremony at the Port of Amsterdam, the Netherlands on March 19, 2011. Attending the intimate ceremony were travel agency owners, local dignitaries, journalists from around the world, and three generations of the Tollman Family (who own and operate Uniworld and its sister companies within the Travel Corporation umbrella) and their friends.
The ceremony opened with Guy Young, President of Uniworld, who welcomed guests and introduced key note speakers: Antoinette Tollman, godmother, namesake, designer, and visionary of the S.S. Antoinette; Patrick Jansen, owner of the shipyard De Hoop where the S.S. Antoinette was built; Janine van Oosten, Chief Harbormaster from the Port of Amsterdam; and Stefan Diender, Chief Executive of Amsterdam Tourism and Convention Board.
Addressing the guests, Young said, “2011 is Uniworld’s most ambitious year to date. We are introducing three new ships: The River Victoria in Russia, the Douro Spirit in Portugal and, of course, the reason we are all here today, the S.S. Antoinette. Additionally, we have rebuilt and remodeled three other ships in Europe. All of these ships reflect the authentic boutique style that has become the hallmark of the Uniworld fleet.”
Paying testimony to owners Mr. Stanley and Mrs. Beatrice Tollman, Young added, “Mr. and Mrs. Tollman bring with them a wealth of experience and a deep rooted history and understanding of the hospitality industry and what it takes to run a luxury boutique operation. Mrs. Tollman in particular, as President and Founder of Red Carnation Hotels, has been instrumental in helping Uniworld achieve the high positioning that we enjoy today. Having passionately and successfully built a collection of five-star luxury boutique hotels and the knowledge that she has acquired have all been hugely important in helping Uniworld establish itself as the leader in luxury river cruising.”
Godmother and namesake of the S.S. Antoinette, Mrs. Antoinette Tollman explained, “The S.S Antoinette has been a true labor of love. It's easy to say you're a five-star boutique cruise line, but it's not easy to deliver it. The S.S. Antoinette is bigger, better, and more luxurious than anything else. And what makes Uniworld different begins with my mother, Beatrice Tollman, who was the inspiration for the décor and the namesake of Uniworld's 2009 launch, River Beatrice, and her commitment to each and every one of us."
Patrick Jansen, owner of De Hoop, a company that has been building ships for over 120 years, stated, “The S.S. Antoinette is a highly customized vessel, more so than any other vessel, and we have used new techniques to optimize it and to make sure that it really is the next generation of vessels for the luxury cruise market. The S.S. Antoinette has impressive green credentials as well with a waste-management system consisting of a food macerator and tank, and glass-crushing and compactor machines. Further, she is powered by a newly developed noise and vibration reduction feature consisting of double-resilient mounted frames for the engine and thruster. And she is designed for the highest degree of safety - beyond existing rules and regulations.”
Janine van Oosten, Chief Harbormaster from the Port of Amsterdam, presented the Captain of the Ship with a traditional plaque and announced, “We are very honored that Uniworld has chosen our port for the inauguration of the S.S. Antoinette. This ship is proof of the new image and era of river cruising.”
Against the backdrop of blue sky and sunshine, Stefan Diender, Chief Executive of Amsterdam Tourism and Convention Board, announced that spring had come two days early in Amsterdam with the launch of the S.S. Antoinette and added, “Uniworld is setting the standard amongst river cruise operators.”
The christening concluded with the customary smashing of a Champagne bottle against the hull. Once the official ceremony was over, the 26-piece Amsterdam Brass entertained guests with such tunes as "Moon River" and the "Love Boat" during a champagne reception onboard, before the ship set sail for the first time across the Ÿssellake Lake to the historic port town, Hoorn, where it docked for the night.
The S.S. Antoinette will set sail from March 27, 2011, through November 13, 2011, on Uniworld’s popular “Castles along the Rhine” Itinerary from Basel to Amsterdam for eight days.
"There is no doubt in my mind that S.S. Antoinette is the most spectacular river cruise ship in Europe. We are very fortunate to have owners who are so invested, personally and financially, in making Uniworld the very best river cruise company," added Young.
For more information please contact your preferred Travel Professional, or call Uniworld at(800) 733-7820 or visit uniworld.com.
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