The Potomac River is getting a new sightseeing boat.
Entertainment Cruises Inc. has replaced the Spirit of Washington with a larger vessel as it looks to accommodate more people and upgrade its service in the region.
The new ship 鈥 a 175-foot, four-level vessel that previously operated as the Odyssey Boston 鈥 received a formal christening and official name-changing ceremony Tuesday afternoon at The Wharf鈥檚 Pier 4.
The company had been leasing the boat that has served as the Spirit of Washington for the past 11 years, but owns the one it is relocated from Boston over a nearly four-day trip. The old boat could fit 600 people, while its replacement can hold 800.
鈥淭his new vessel has more of a 鈥榶achty鈥 feel,鈥 said Mary Rinaldo, vice president of Entertainment Cruises. 鈥淚t鈥檚 also an investment in that it鈥檚 a boat that we own, so it isn鈥檛 going anywhere in the near future.鈥
Chicago-based Entertainment Cruises has been aiming to grow in the D.C. area, as its CEO, Kenneth鈥