River-cruise line Evergreen Tours will expand its fleet next year with the launch of two new “Star Ships”, Emerald Liberté and Emerald Radiance. Liberté will sail on the Rhone and Saone in France while Radiance will be on the Douro in Portugal. The ships will be smaller than those in the current fleet and have a guest-to-crew ratio of three to one. Liberté will have 70 cabins, accommodating 138 guests and Radiance will carry 112 guests in 65 cabins.
Evergreen was due to launch its fifth Star Ship in April, the 182-passenger Emerald Belle, but had to set the date back when the ship was damaged in a fire at the shipyard in the Netherlands. The line is reviewing bookings for Emerald Belle‘s first season and guests are likely be accommodated on other Evergreen or Scenic ships.
