Under the direction of the Dutch shipyard TeamCo, Thurgau Travel has decided to invest CHF 29 million in the construction of the innovative river cruise ship MS Thurgau Avanti.
The ship will be built in approximately 17 months and will begin its river cruises on the Rhine and its tributaries in May 2027. Specifically, the hull of the MS Thurgau Avanti will be constructed at a shipyard on the Danube in Romania. The construction and transportation process will take around eight to nine months, followed by the interior outfitting, which will be carried out at the TeamCo shipyard in Heusden, the Netherlands. From the initial design phase to the maiden voyage on the Rhine, the total duration of the project will therefore be approximately 17 months.
The 135-metre-long ship will accommodate 180 guests in 90 cabins and suites, including four accessible cabins for guests with disabilities. The interiors will feature spacious and harmonious environments, with a refined colour palette creating an elegant atmosphere. The design will reflect this sophistication through Carrara marble elements, high-quality materials and a modern interior style.
Three restaurants will offer a wide range of culinary options, including an exclusive private dining area. The outdoor deck, featuring a whirlpool, barbecue area, the “Avanti Garden” and a bar, will further enhance the guest experience, together with a wellness area equipped with a sauna and massage room.
With MS Thurgau Avanti, Thurgau Travel continues its ongoing fleet renewal programme. Since 2022, the Weinfelden-based (Switzerland) river cruise operator has been investing in new vessels, strengthening its long-term growth strategy.
Daniel Pauli-Kaufmann, CEO of Thurgau Travel, is enthusiastic about MS Thurgau Avanti, as the ship represents a new generation of river cruising, combining experience, relaxation and sustainability. A five-star vessel, it brings together comfort, style and cutting-edge technology at the highest level.
The new river cruise ship MS Thurgau Avanti embodies the company’s long-term strategy to further enhance the quality of river cruising while making it increasingly environmentally responsible. This includes a significant reduction in pollutant emissions and exhaust gases, as well as the use of solar panels to capture natural sunlight, which is fed into the ship’s energy supply system.
Sustainability requirements have also influenced the interior design of the ship. LED lighting and half of the furnished spaces have been designed with social sustainability in mind, including the use of recycled materials. Thurgau Travel also requires fair production conditions and transparency throughout the entire supply chain. When selecting its main suppliers, the company has placed particular emphasis on sustainability goals, such as sourcing fabrics produced in Europe, thereby reducing transport distances.
Thanks to state-of-the-art marine technology, MS Thurgau Avanti will be one of the most environmentally friendly newbuilds in the European river cruise market. The ship is set to become the sixth vessel in the fleet to receive the Green Award, the international certification label for safety and sustainability.
However, Thurgau Travel’s ambitions do not stop there: the goal is to achieve Gold status, already held by MS Thurgau Gold.
Lucia Angeli