If there’s any doubt that March is the most exciting month in river cruising, it was certainly laid to rest this week. On Saturday March 22, Avalon Waterways christened two brand-new Suite Ships in the gorgeous port of Dordrecht, Netherlands.

Welcomed into the fleet are the new Avalon Impression and Avalon Poetry II, which were christened by Mara DelliPriscoli, President of Travel Learning Connection Inc.; and Olympic Gold medal rower and author Katharine J. Grainger, respectively.

Addressing the crowd, Grainger said, “May all who sail on these rivers in this vessel add their own tales to these fabled waters, and take from them the joy and friendship of a shared journey.  I christen this ship the Avalon Poetry II.  May her captain, her crew and her passengers be blessed and kept safe in their travels and may she bring fair winds and good fortune to all who sail on her.”

An intimate gathering of 175 guests assembled pierside to witness the event, cemented with the traditional breaking of champagne against the ship’s hulls using two separate bottles of Moët & Chandon Imperial Brut.

Avalon Impression and Avalon Poetry II are two of three vessels Avalon Waterways intends to christen this year. The third new Avalon vessel, Avalon Illumination, will follow in June when she is welcomed into the fleet by Godmother and Australian personality Deborah Hutton.

When she launches in June, Avalon will boast eight Suite Ships in their overall fleet, adding nearly 10 percent capacity to the line’s exponential growth.

Following the christening, Avalon Impression will sail Avalon’s popular Tulip Time Cruise; Capitals of Central Europe; Legendary Danube; and Magnificent Europe itineraries. Avalon Poetry II will sail seven separate itineraries in her first year, including Tulips of North Holland; Windmills, Vineyards and Paris; Central European Experience, and The Blue Danube Discovery.

More information on both new vessels will be featured here on River Cruise Advisor as it becomes available.