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July 4, 2023

Thurgau Travel unveiled Europe’s most modern riverboat today in Basel: the MS Thurgau Gold.

Leading river cruise operator Thurgau Travel welcomes a new ship to its fleet at a christening ceremony attended by pop star Linda Fäh. Equipped with the latest technology and innovative design, the MS Thurgau Gold will be the most environmentally friendly riverboat currently sailing Europe’s rivers.

With more than 50 years of experience in the river cruise industry, Thurgau Travel has set a new standard for greener cruising in Europe, in addition to its established commitment to sustainable travel. “The ship will not only offer luxury and comfort, but will also significantly reduce the environmental impact of river cruising,” promises Daniel Pauli-Kaufmann, CEO of Thurgau Travel.

The port of Basel, an important European port for river shipping, will also be the home port for this new vessel. In keeping with tradition, the champagne bottle was broken at the christening ceremony, marking the start of the 12-day maiden voyage in a particularly festive atmosphere. Hans and Ernestine Kaufmann and other family members, such as Peter Kaufmann, Pia and Daniel Pauli-Kaufmann, were onboard as representatives of the board of directors and management, as well as the reigning Apple Queen of Thurgau, Nadja Högger, who symbolizes the connection of Thurgau Travel, based in Weinfelden, to the region.

The MS Thurgau Gold has been specially designed to have a minimal impact on the environment. State-of-the-art engines contribute to substantial fuel savings and an advanced catalytic converter system ensures a significant reduction in emissions. The MS Thurgau Gold‘s innovative design and state-of-the-art technology also make it possible to improve the ship’s energy efficiency. For example, solar panels have been installed and approximately 85 percent of the waste heat from the engines is converted back into energy through a heat recovery project.

In addition, resource-conserving materials and construction methods were chosen to minimize the consumption of raw materials during the ship’s construction and operation. For these reasons, the luxurious 5-star MS Thurgau Gold qualifies for “Green Award” Gold Status, the highest internationally recognized recognition of this environmental award, which is particularly important for river cruises. “Thurgau Travel is proud to have Europe’s most sustainable riverboat in its fleet and to be a role model in the industry,” says Daniel Pauli-Kaufmann.

A comprehensive sustainability program already implemented by Thurgau Travel will be used for the MS Thurgau Gold. The program includes measures such as waste prevention and separation and the use of environmentally friendly detergents. Innovative management ensures that sustainability is present in all areas of the company.

With its 87 cabins and 4 suites, the MS Thurgau Gold offers travelers a vacation experience of maximum comfort and excellent service. The staterooms and public areas are stylishly designed and feature a variety of amenities. All cabins and suites on the middle and upper decks have spacious, retractable panoramic windows known as “Infinity Balconies”.

From a culinary point of view, the new ship offers a variety of restaurants and bars, as well as the exclusive “Private Dining” or the bar and grill on the large sun deck, where you can watch the landscape pass by while relaxing in the shade of the awnings, in the Jacuzzi or on the comfortable deck chairs.

We currently offer cruises on the Rhine and short cruises to and from Basel; longer cruises to Amsterdam and back will be available soon.

In 2024, the luxurious MS Thurgau Gold will sail primarily on the Rhine and its tributaries, and these trips can already be booked online at thurgautravel.ch.

Don’t miss the latest news, info, and trivia about the MS Thurgau Gold and the entire Thurgau Travel fleet on Cruising Journal, with tips, reviews, and cruise deals.

Gabriele Bassi

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