A-Rosa River Cruises has ordered a new ship with new on-board technology designed to reduce the line’s environmental footprint.

Set for delivery in spring 2021, the ship is designed specifically to appeal to families and multi-generational guests.

New innovations include battery propulsion for sailing emission free into and out of cities, air bubble technology to reduce fuel consumption and a range of family features including large family cabins sleeping up to five people, a children’s pool and a dedicated kids club area.

The ship, which will be built at Concordia Damen Werft shipyard in the Netherlands, will sail primarily on the northern Rhine, departing from Cologne and calling at Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Bruges and Antwerp.

It will be the first river cruise ship on the Rhine to feature four decks.

Jorg Eichler, chief executive and shareholder of A-Rosa Flussschiff commented: “This new ship features innovations never seen on a river ship cruise ship before and it heralds the future of travel on the rivers – both in terms of use of space and sustainability.

“With 140 cabins, a length of 135 metres, a width of 17.7 metres plus a fourth deck, this ship enables us to offer more space than ever before.

“At A-Rosa we have been setting new standards for the industry for many years – we always want to be different and this new ship allows us to continue to do just that.”

Sustainability plays a key role in the new design, as A-ROSA looks to lead the way in lowering emissions and help protect the rivers and cities it travels through.

The new ship will feature an ‘E-Motion’ concept which allows the ship to switch to battery power when approaching a city and arrive emission-free.

Like all other ships in the fleet, the vessel will be equipped with a shore power connection, meaning the battery can be charged overnight and then the ship can also depart the city in the same way.

Crew quarters will also benefit from additional space with crew being accommodated exclusively in one and two person cabins.

There will also be an extra-large crew mess with a kitchen for the crew to eat together and for the first time, a rest and recreation room to retreat to. 

More details on the ship will be announced over the coming months and looking further ahead, a second ship is currently planned for 2023.