Avalon Waterways has christened its ninth Suite Ship, the Avalon Tapestry II, in Les Andelys, France.
Acting as the ship’s godmother, Diana Gabaldon – author of the award-winning, No. 1 New York Times-bestselling Outlander novels – led the christening ceremony.
After reciting her blessing, Ms. Gabaldon cut a rope tethered to Moet, causing the bottle to break against the newly named ship’s bow. Onlookers included Captains Laurent Taupe and Rudy Villard; Avalon Waterways’ Patrick Clark and Burghart Lell; the ship builder Jacque Den Breejen; the Tapestry II crew; as well as 150 townspeople of Les Andelys and their Mayor Fredric Duchet.
After the christening ceremony, the 361-foot, 128-passenger Avalon Tapestry II will welcome travelers aboard for "Paris to Normandy’s Landing Beaches" and northbound and southbound "Grand France" itineraries.