Swiss family shipping company Scylla christened its newest ship, Porto Mirante, in Düsseldorf on Thursday. With a festive ceremony and many good wishes from guests, Scylla’s 40th river ship is specially adapted to the special features of the Douro River and its locks.
Scylla’s managing directors, brothers Arno and Robert Reitsma joined the christening ceremony together with Porto Mirante’s godmother, the Consul General of the Portuguese Republic, Lídia Nabais. Around 135 internationally invited guests and business partners were present for the festivities, with Düsseldorf passers-by watching on from ashore.
“The christening of our ship, specially built for the Douro, fills us with great pride and also represents another milestone in our growth plans. Our fleet of ships in Portugal is growing, and it is important for us, as a shipping company, to be able to sail on one of the world’s most beautiful rivers.
“We look forward to offering our guests unforgettable cruise experiences on the new ship,” says Scylla CEO Arno Reitsma.
Bruno Alves, Porto Mirante’s new first captain, is also delighted with the new ship. “I am very happy to have been chosen to take responsibility on a new ship and to look after the crew in the best possible way.
“Porto Mirante is something special because it was built from the ground up for shipping in Portugal, and this is also reflected in the details associated with Portuguese culture, for example, the colours and the tiles. In my opinion, the Bistro, on the sun deck, and the pool are some of the highlights – they can’t be found anywhere else in this form.”
Colourful and culturally inspired
With a total of 60 spacious double cabins, the ship is designed for 120 guests. Each cabin faces outwards and has French balconies on the upper and middle decks.
On board Porto Mirante, guests will have access to two restaurants and a fitness room with state-of-the-art equipment. In addition, the newest Douro ship in the fleet has a panoramic lounge with a bar and a sky lounge that extends over two decks.
There is also an on-board shop and a spacious sun deck with sun loungers and a pool. A lift connects all decks (except the sun deck), and the ship is fully air-conditioned.
Exclusive cruises on the Douro
Scylla is regarded as an all-round partner for cruise ship chartering and has long-standing partnerships with renowned tour operators, including Thurgau, Tauck, Phoenix, Riviera and its own tour operator, VIVA Cruises.
Following the christening in Düsseldorf, Porto Mirante will initially be travelling on the Douro this year for Riviera Travel, Phoenix and Gordon, among others. Next year, the river ship will then set sail for international charter partners, including the company’s own VIVA Cruises.
With the commissioning of Porto Mirante, Scylla will offer 40 river ships travelling on the Rhine, Main, Moselle, Danube, Elbe, Seine, Rhône & Saône, and the Baltic coast, as well as the Douro River.
For more information about Scylla, please visit www.scylla.com.