Riviera Travel names Radiance in Budapest

Riviera Travel has held a naming ceremony for the newest addition to its fleet, Riviera Radiance.

More than 90 people were hosted on board the ship for the event in Budapest, including 22 agents from the UK and 10 from Ireland. 

Sarah Roberts, chief executive of development charity Practical Action, was announced as godmother and christened the ship - the first in a new class for the line - by pouring champagne on an ice sculpture of the vessel.

Chief executive Phil Hullah said: "This is an incredibly proud moment for me and the whole Riviera team. 

"This our first new vessel on one of the main rivers of Europe post-Covid, which is fantastically exciting, and I hope you agree it sets the standard in terms of where we are headed and what is coming next in the fleet. 

"She will be a very important part of the Riviera family for 10 years or more to come, and in that time 50,000 or more passengers will come through this ship after today, so this is a really exciting moment."

Radiance has the largest suites of any ship in the fleet and the first split-level lounge, as well as French balconies on more than 80% of its cabins and suites and three restaurants.

Hullah added: “These two days are an opportunity to show off our newest and shiniest ship and a small chance to say thank you to our partners who helped build Riviera Travel into what it is today.”

The naming ceremony for Riviera Radiance was due to take place in May but was pushed back due to a delivery delay.

Radiance started sailing in June this year and offers Danube itineraries, including a 14-night Budapest to the Black Sea River Cruise.