Viva Cruises Christens Third Ship in Dusseldorf – Cruise Industry News

Viva Cruises marked the christening of its newest ship, the Viva Enjoy, on January 14, 2025, at its homeport in Düsseldorf, Germany, according to a press release.

The ceremony was attended by over 200 guests, including Viva Cruises executives Andrea Kruse and Arno Reitsma. Cruise writer Jeannine Williamson served as the ship’s godmother while German TV presenter Marco Schreyl hosted the festivities.

Andrea Kruse, CEO of VIVA Cruises, said: “We are thrilled to celebrate the christening of our third new build ship today. This milestone marks another significant step in our journey to provide exceptional river cruising experiences. Viva Enjoy, with its modern and premium amenities, creates unforgettable journeys along the beautiful rivers of Europe.

“Sister ship to Viva Two, Viva Enjoy will offer an elevated experience for guests, including an extra multi-purpose treatment room, as well as three restaurants Riverside, Moments and Viva’s Bistro. The ship also has the gold standard of the international Green Award, highlighting our commitment to proactivity and protecting the environment. At Viva Cruises, we are devoted to innovation and excellence, ensuring that every voyage with us is a truly enjoyable experience.”

Commenting on her role as the godmother, Williamson said: “I have been fortunate to win several awards for my writing but being asked to be godmother of Viva Enjoy is the absolute highlight of my career. I have attended many ship christenings over the years, but never imagined I would be asked to take on such a prestigious role and I feel humbled, privileged and hugely excited to be the godmother of such a stunning ship. 

“River cruising has provided me with an amazing career, and so many enjoyable moments on both a personal and professional basis. So, it seems even more fitting that I am the godmother of a beautiful vessel called Viva Enjoy, a name which embodies the spirit of river cruising.”

The Viva Enjoy will offer four-night wellness cruises on the Rhine, featuring activities like yoga and qi gong. Following this, the ship will mostly operate on the Danube with departures from Vienna and on the Rhine with itineraries from Amsterdam. In 2025, the 190-guest ship will introduce new seven-, 10- and 14-day sailings, along with one-week sailings from Frankfurt to Amsterdam.

Photo: Andrea Kruse CEO of VIVA Cruises and Jeannine Williamson VIVA ENJOY Godmother