Fleet expansion: MS Vienna sets sail for the new season with the blessing of cathedral priest Toni Faber and godmother Maria Happel.
Vienna (OTS/LCG) – In 1998, the youngest fleet member of the DDSG Blue Danube was launched in the Dutch shipyard De Hoop and has since been sailing in the Wachau as MS Austria Princess. It is a proud 40.2 meters long and an elegant 7.8 meters wide and has 640 horsepower, which brings it to a speed of 22.5 kilometers per hour. Since the beginning of the year, the ship has been owned by the country’s most traditional and largest shipping company, which has expanded its fleet by two ships. On Tuesday evening she was sent on her way in a red and white dress under a new name as MS Vienna and received her Christian blessing from Vienna’s cathedral priest Toni Faberthe one with godmother and chamber actress Maria Happel sealed the future of the elegant lady on the waves of the Danube. With the fleet expansion, the DDSG Blue Danube is aiming for a record of 400,000 passengers in the 195th year of its existence, which caused applause at the ship’s christening.
“With the MS Vienna, the Viennese get ‘their’ new ship that invites them to make new discoveries from the river. The expansion of the DDSG Blue Danube is important for tourism. “It means additional jobs for the Viennese economy and shows how well traditional companies contribute to the development of the location.”
said the city councilor for business and tourism Peter Hanke.
“In Wien Holding’s 50th anniversary year, the remarkable growth of DDSG Blue Danube is a special reason to celebrate. As a relevant factor in economic value creation in tourism, the shipping company has been on the road to success for years. As an offer for the Viennese, in recent years it has become more and more diverse with themed trips and attractive options that invite you to take a short vacation in your own city.”
says Vienna Holding managing director Kurt Gollowitzer.
“It’s only a few minutes from St. Stephen’s Cathedral to the Danube. Christian seafaring dates back to the 16th century. St. Stephen’s Cathedral was built during this time. Today, river shipping and St. Stephen’s Cathedral are also a blessing for tourism and the people of Vienna.”
said Dompfarer Toni Faber at the blessing of the MS Vienna.
“The fleet growth of the DDSG Blue Danube is a festival for the leisure activities in Vienna and the Wachau that deserves loud applause. I always wish the MS Vienna a hand’s breadth of water under her keel and a safe return to her home port.”
said godmother and director Maria Happel.
“Our youngest member of the fleet is a real eye-catching beauty. We warmly welcome you as a family member in our fleet of nine ships, which is continuing to grow with even more motivation.”
comments DDSG Blue Danube managing director Wolfgang Hanreich.
“The MS Vienna is setting off as the official ambassador of our wonderful city. At the same time, it opens a new chapter in the history of the DDSG Blue Danube, which we are proud of. We are sailing towards the future with this ship.”
emphasizes DDSG Blue Danube managing director Wolfgang Fischer.
Sparkling maiden voyage
At the event on Tuesday evening, which was organized as an eco-event, the champagne cork banged against the ship’s side in the good old tradition – after all, ship christenings have been known since the pre-Christian era – before the name MS Vienna was dropped and God’s blessing accompanied the ship on its future journeys
On the maiden voyage to Nussdorf, the award-winning chef, among others, congratulated her on the christening Jacqueline Pfeiffer, Gerd Kramer (Twin City Liner), Friedrich Lehr (Port of Vienna) or Dirk Nocker (Actor).
further information ddsg-blue-danube.at
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