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Arena to launch new ship next year as river cruise demand remains 'strong'

MS Arena’s four-night maiden voyage will depart from Amsterdam
MS Arena’s four-night maiden voyage will depart from Amsterdam

The good news continues for the river cruise recovery even while ocean-going sailing remains in limbo after Arena River Cruises announced a date for the launch of its much-anticipated new flagship, MS Arena.

The four-star ship, which was due to debut in April of this year before coronavirus scuppered the cruise line’s plans, will launch in April 2021.

Steve Goodenough, the managing director of Arena River Cruises, told The Telegraph: “Naturally we have been disappointed not to have been able to welcome passengers aboard MS Arena so far, as planned.

“I was lucky enough to travel to Amsterdam earlier in the summer and see the result of all the refurbishment and redecoration work – the ship is looking great and it’s such a shame not to have been able to share it with anyone.

“However, we are delighted to be looking ahead now to next year. We are really encouraged by the number of bookings that have been transferred and the demand for advance bookings – clearly there is a strong appetite for river cruising and we can’t wait to be exploring the waterways of Europe again.”


Arena River Cruises’ newest vessel can accommodate 180 passengers and features spacious en-suite cabins with panoramic windows, an elevated sun deck, wellness suite and newly refurbished communal areas.


MS Arena’s four-night maiden voyage will depart from Amsterdam and sail along Holland’s tranquil waterways with stops at Kinderdijk, famous for its windmills, and the ancient city of Dordrecht. A full day excursion to the world-renowned Keukenhof Gardens, where seven million hand-planted spring flowers will be in bloom, is included in the itinerary.

The exclusively-chartered ship will then offer spring sailings along the Rhine and its tributaries, the Dutch Waterways and the Danube.

It’s no secret that the cruise industry has struggled through the rough waters of the coronavirus crisis. Cruise lines have been forced to suspend sailings as a result of travel restrictions – Canada, the Cayman Islands, Australia, New Zealand, the Seychelles, Spain and the US all have cruise ship bans currently in place – while Covid-19 has also delayed the debuts of new ships due to shipyard closures, supplier issues and social distancing practices.

While most major ocean cruise lines have cancelled for the remainder of this year, river cruise lines have quietly been making their comeback with strict new health and safety protocols in place in a bid to rebuild public trust.

German river cruise company, Nicko Cruises, made waves when it became the first cruise line to set sail along the Danube and Rhine back in June. Since then the likes of A-Rosa, Amadeus River Cruises, Strasbourg-based CroisiEurope and Australian operator Captain Cook Cruises  have all successfully returned to the water.

Andy Harmer, the UK and Ireland director of Cruise Lines International Association, said: “We are seeing river cruises in some markets start in a gradual, phased-in manner. Cruise lines are working with ports and destinations so that cruise itineraries are designed with public health considerations as a priority.”