RIVER CRUISING
*originally published in Cruise and Travel Lifestyles, Fall 2011
NEW TREATS IN STORE FOR SCENIC CRUISERS
Scenic Tours is offering a range of special enrichment activities in 2012 so that guests can discover the history, culture and cuisine of countries visited. Guests on the 15-day ‘Jewels of Europe River Cruise’ for example will enjoy a day in the life of a traditional German village, visiting local homes and enjoying activities ranging from wine tasting and baking to visiting a dairy, iron foundry or a private castle where they will meet a piano maker who restores 18th century pianos. On the ‘Imperial Jewels of Russia’ cruise between Moscow and St. Petersburg they will experience a Russian ballet and taste authentic Russian tea. They will lunch at a traditional Russian restaurant in St. Petersburg and enjoy a private tour of Moscow’s celebrated St. Basil’s Cathedral. On other cruises they will get a guided tour of Marksburg Castle in Germany and hear a concert of music by Mozart and Schubert at the Palais Liechtenstein in Vienna.
TAUCK LAUNCHES FOURTH NEW RIVERBOAT
Tauck’s fleet on the rivers of Europe is growing. The company’s fourth new riverboat was launched in Cologne in August when retired former co-president Robin Tauck christened the ms Treasures. Tauck also inaugurated two new cruise itineraries in southern France. The 10-day ‘French Waterways & Vineyards’ itinerary starts with two nights in Paris, then travels by high-speed TGV train to Lyon for a 7-day cruise to Vienne, Tournon, Valence, Viviers, Avignon, Roussilon, and Arles. The second itinerary, ‘French
Escapade: Monte Carlo to Paris’, is a 14-day package starting with a two-night stay at the Fairmont Monte Carlo. Guests then board their ship in Arles for a 9-day cruise on the Rhone and Saône rivers visiting Viviers, Tournon, Vienne, Lyon, Macon, Chalon-sur-Saône and Beaune. The trip ends with a two night hotel stay in Paris.
TWO NEW ‘SUITE SHIPS’ FOR AVALON
When Avalon Waterways introduced the industry’s first ‘Suite Ship’ in late spring, it enjoyed a boom in sales. Following up on this success, Avalon will launch two sister ships to Avalon Panorama in 2012 – Avalon Vista and Avalon Visionary. The additions to this new class of river cruise ship will have two full decks of suites – 200 sq.ft. Panorama Suites (178 of them), and six 300 sq.ft. Royal Suites. Each suite will have a large seating area adjacent to a wall-to-wall Panorama Window which, when open, transforms the entire suite into cruising’s only Open-Air Balcony with a 10 x 7-ft open window on the beauties of Europe. Enhancements will include flowers in each stateroom and premium L’Occitane amenities.
They will have marble bathrooms, Avalon-branded deluxe bedding and a balance of warm interiors and natural lighting. Guests will enjoy flat-screen television and ship-wide free Wi Fi. Royale Suites guests will have access to in-room iPads.
AMAWATERWAYS INNOVATES ON NEW EUROPEAN VESSEL
The Chef’s Table on AmaWaterways’ new AmaBello, launched in Europe in late spring, seats an unusually
large number of guests – 24 – and has its own private chef to cater for a very special dinner. This is just one of several innovations on this latest AmaWaterways vessel, which brings the size of this luxury fleet up to a round dozen. Staterooms are a large 214 sq. ft. and the vessel has a swimming pool on its sundeck and a library with fireplace. In the staterooms, guests can enjoy a new ‘Infomation’ system that provides free high speed Internet, free first run movies and computer options for e-mailing or for blogging. WiFi is available ship-wide. The ship’s double-wide French balconies are another new feature. Staterooms are bigger still on the company’s new AmaLotus on the Mekong River in Southeast Asia, where
ship designs are less affected by the low bridges and narrow locks as in Europe. On this exquisitely decorated ship, staterooms are 226 sq. ft., junior suites are 290 and suites are a roomy 425. This 124-guest vessel has balconies on 82 percent of its accommodations and operates 7-night Mekong cruises from Siem Reap in Cambodia to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.
NEW DEDICATED RIVER CRUISE PROGRAM FROM HEBRIDEAN ISLAND CRUISES
Hebridean Island Cruises, which serves the ultra-luxury small ship cruising market with its five-star cruise ship, Hebridean Princess, has recently announced the launch of a new dedicated river cruise program aboard Hebridean’s new Royal Crown river ship. The luxurious cruiser, which underwent extensive
renovations in 2010, will sail on both the Rhine and the Danube rivers in 2012 in the spring and fall operating four 7 night itineraries. Harking back to the golden age of cruising, with an opulent feel of 1930s Europe, Hebridean River Cruises will offer just 79 guests, a vessel with elegant surroundings and superb, personal service. With 42 art deco style staterooms, the Royal Crown will also offer a number of rooms for single occupancy. There will also be a choice of suite accommodations across three grades – Royal Suites, Premium Suites and Deluxe Suites. All cruises will be fully inclusive with all beverages,
gratuities, shore excursions and port charges included, and of course a distinguished guest speaker program.
