New A-Rosa ship A-Rosa Sena set off on its delayed maiden cruise from Cologne emission free with both use of hybrid propulsion.
The ‘E-Motion’ system enables the vessel to switch to battery power when arriving and departing ports.
The original maiden voyage date was set back by a few weeks, due to supply chain disruption caused by the pandemic.
The first river cruise ship on the Rhine to feature four decks of public areas, plus a large sundeck also includes a large spa with sauna, whirlpool bath, treatment rooms, gym, relaxation room and an ice grotto with ice fountain.
A-Rosa Sena will sail a seven-night itinerary from Cologne, calling at Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Dordrecht and Antwerp.
Excursions include a canoe trip through the nature reserve Biesbosch, a culinary city tour through Antwerp and a visit the Madurodam miniature park in Rotterdam.
A-Rosa UK and Ireland managing director Lucia Rowe said: “This is what we have all be waiting for – our next generation ship has set sail, paving the way for our future fleet.
“She is like nothing seen before on the rivers and we are so very proud of what we’ve achieved.
“We’ve been telling agents about her and what makes her so different for some time now, and finally she is here and sailing on the Northern Rhine.
“Her sustainability credentials demonstrate to the industry just what can be done. Her hybrid propulsion system, exhaust gas purification filters and her ability to turn exhaust gas into electricity are just some of the incredible things that set her apart from anything we’ve seen previously.”
Rowe added: “Alongside this, many of her family and multi-generational features such as the dedicated kids club room, family cabins sleeping up to five and the separate children’s pool on the sundeck, have never been seen before on a river cruise ship.”