Garden Festivals and City Breaks

Keen gardeners should seize the opportunity to visit the World Horticultural Expo in the Netherlands between April 5 and October 7 on a choice of four AmaWaterways' luxury river cruise itineraries. The show, which takes place only every 10 years, covers 66 hectares of parkland and consists of five horticultural worlds and themed zones, connected by wooded areas, with 100 exhibitors from around the world.

Each day also features a cultural programme of music, dance, literature, theatre and visual art from all over the world.

AMA's seven-night Enchanting Rhine cruise, from Amsterdam to Basel, is a typical example, with departures starting on April 19 and costing from £1,459 per person, including all meals, wine with dinner, free Wi-Fi and free use of on-board bicycles, but excluding flights.

River cruising means seeing more in less time, never having to unpack or re-pack, with three of Europe’s most spectacular and historic cities - Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest - on many itineraries.

For more booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury river cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

Viking's Valentine Bonus

To get holidaymakers into the romantic spirit next Valentine’s Day, Viking River Cruises will send a beautiful bouquet of flowers to every customer who books a cruise with them between the 6th and 14th of February 2012. The Company offers scenic cruising along the rivers of Europe, Russia, China and Southeast Asia, sailing right into the heart of some of the world’s most beautiful and romantic destinations.

So, if you want to live out your very own fairytale romance in Heidelberg castle; walk hand in hand around Budapest; or stroll through the streets of the capital of love, Paris, Viking has the holiday for you this February.

For more info and booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's river-cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

AMA Go Christmas Market Cruising

During November and December, AmaWaterways is offering the opportunity to cruise Europe’s finest Christmas markets from the comfort of a festive luxury river cruiser. As well as being able to shop for traditional crafts, gifts and decorations, guests on board this winter’s Christmas market cruises will enjoy a festive atmosphere as the ships are decorated with trees, garlands, swags and lights, and festive fun includes carolling performances, hot spiced mulled wine and seasonal entertainment.

Here are two prime examples:

Danube Christmas Market Cruise: This seven-night voyage sails between Nuremberg and Budapest, allowing guests time to browse the markets at Nuremberg, Regensberg, the numerous different markets in Vienna and finally in Budapest, where the ship cruises past the city’s dazzling Christmas illuminations. AmaWaterways has nine departures for this itinerary, which operates in both directions, on November 27 and December 2, 4, 5, 9, 11, 12, 16, 18 and 19. It costs from £995 (saving £381) per person, including breakfast, lunch, dinner with wine, soft drinks and beer, free wi-fi and use of on board bicycles.

Rhine Christmas Market Cruise: These voyages from Basel and Amsterdam (and vice versa) include the many and varied markets in Freiburg, Strasbourg, Worms, Rudesheim and Cologne, from the medieval themes of French Strasbourg to the pretty market in Rudesheim and the impressive display in Cologne, with more than 160 wooden stalls in the shadow of the magnificent Cathedral. AMA has five Rhine departures, every Saturday from November 26 to December 17 with prices from £1,285 (saving £91).

For more booking details, be sure to contact the river-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd on this link.

Avalon Launches Europe-Wide River-Cruise

Avalon Waterways has launched its longest ever European river cruise itinerary for 2012, the 21-night ‘North Sea to the Black Sea’ cruise from Amsterdam through to Bucharest or vice versa. Sailing through the Netherlands and Germany on the Rhine before joining the Danube through Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania, the cruise provides an incredible journey to see the many historical, cultural and scenic highlights across Europe.

A broad range of guided sightseeing is included in the cities, towns and famous places along the itinerary, including Cologne, Rudesheim, Miltenberg, Wurzburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg, Regensburg, Passau, Grein, the Benedictine Abbey at Melk, Vienna and the Heillgenkreuz Monastery. Also included is Budapest, Vukovar, Belgrade and the Iron Gates Gorge. Visits to Bulgaria’s Veliko Tarnovo and the Patriach’s Church, the Ethnographical Museum at Arbanassi, Constanta, and Bucharest’s Parliament Building and National Art Museum are also included.

Prices are from £3,745 per person based on a category E stateroom to include return flights, 21 nights full board cruise accommodation, regional wines and beers served with dinner, 1 night at the Athénée Hilton Palace in Bucharest, guided sightseeing, a private door-to-door home pick-up service, overseas transfers, and the services of a professional cruise director. Stateroom upgrades are available from £880 per person.

Extra nights are available in Amsterdam from £95 per person per night and from £85 per person per night in Bucharest based on a twin share.

For more info, see www.avaloncruises.co.uk or contact one of the river-cruise experts at specialist agents The Cruise Line Ltd.

Luxury Late River-Cruise Deal with AMA Waterways

How's this for a great late, late offer for a river-cruise? Admittedly, we do get a lot of them here at World of Cruising, but this is definitely worth passing on for the saving involved (more than 50 per cent), sailing with luxury operator AMA Waterways, and departing next Monday. Full details as follows:

8th August: £900pp saving off luxury Danube river cruise

Luxury river cruise operator AmaWaterways is offering a last-minute £900pp saving off a 7-night Danube River cruise from Budapest to Nuremberg sailing through Vienna, Durnstein, Melk, Passau and Regensburg, departing 8th August, with prices now from £863 per person (usually £1,763 per person), including all meals, champagne breakfasts, wine with dinner and complimentary shore excursions.

See more at www.amawaterways.co.uk or contact the river-cruise agents at The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

Specialist Cruises with AMA Waterways

AMA Waterways are offering two excellent specially-themed cruises this summer and autumn, which are well worth considering for that 'something different' factor in the busy European rivers scene.

The City Break Cruise: Three of Europe’s most spectacular and historic cities are included on Ama's Legendary Danube cruise. Visit Austria’s capital, Vienna, with its superb museums and galleries, the Slovak capital of Bratislava, with its historic castle and Medieval streets, and the Hungarian capital, Budapest, divided by the mighty Danube. The seven-night cruise from Nuremberg to Budapest departs August 7 and costs from £1,763 per person.

Jewish Heritage themed cruise: Trace the Jewish heritage of the Danube on a choice of three river cruises departing in August and November, each with a selected daily touring programme of Jewish Heritage excursions that include synagogue visits, Jewish districts, museums, monuments and other landmarks of significance to Jewish history, led by knowledgeable guides. Highlights include a special visit to the tomb of Chatam Sofer, the famous rabbi; a visit to Oscar Schindler’s house in Regensberg; and Room 600 at the Nuremberg Palace of Justice. Passengers will also visit the Jewish Museum, Judenplatz and Old Synagogue, Sigmund Freud House (outside), Jewish Cemetery and Jewish Quarter in Vienna. The 7-night cruise between Nuremberg and Budapest departs November 18 and costs from £1,376 per person.

For more info, visit www.amawaterways.co.uk or the river-cruise experts of specialist cruise agents The Cruise Line Ltd.

Become A Silver Travel Reviewer and WIN a £3,000 Mozart-themed Danube River Cruise

Working closely with cruising experts The Cruise Line Ltd throughout July, the over 50s travel advice and holiday review website, Silver Travel Advisor, is offering free entry to a prize draw to win a Mozart-themed Danube river cruise for two with Noble Caledonia. The voyage includes performances by the London Festival Opera and presentations about the life, times and music of Mozart by guest speaker Roddy Greenburgh.

To be in with a chance of winning, entrants simply need to sign up for free membership of the site to be included in the draw and both new and existing members posting a travel review at www.silvertraveladvisor.com will be additionally be entered into the prize draw for every new post they upload.

Silver Travel Advisor provides a forum for members aged 50 and over to upload impartial travel, restaurant and days-out, and offers mature travellers free advice from travel industry professionals.

The site’s July prize draw is for a week-long cruise on board Noble Caledonian’s magnificent MS Johann Strauss, taking guests on a musical journey along the Danube in celebration of Mozart’s life, from Hungary to Bavaria through Slovakia, visiting the cities of Budapest, Vienna, Bratislava and Salzburg, enjoying some of Mozart’s finest work in idyllic settings. The prize is worth around £3,000 and includes all meals, return scheduled flights from London, 7 nights aboard Johann Strauss on full board including wine, beer and soft drinks with dinner, all excursions and gratuities, travelling in November 2011.

Silver Travel Advisor’s MD Debbie Marshall said: “River cruising and cultural experiences both come high on our members’ holiday wish lists and Noble Caledonian’s Mozart river cruise is just the kind of holiday our members love to take. We look forward to welcoming new members and reading all the new holiday and travel reviews posted during July and wish all entrants the best of luck.”

Visit www.silvertraveladvisor.com or The Cruise Line Ltd. You can also find out more in the new summer edition of World of Cruising magazine, published this week.

A 'Royal' European River Cruiser

eWaterways, the niche and river cruise experts, continue to expand their luxury cruise portfolio with the addition of five-star river yacht Royal Crown. The luxury cruiser renowned for its private members’ club feel and bespoke client service will begin a new sailing programme with eWaterways this April, offering an authentic exploration of some of Europe’s most iconic cities via historic rivers and lesser known waterways. To promote the launch, there will be NO single supplement for solo travellers throughout 2011.

Royal Crown will launch 10 thoughtfully assembled itineraries across 12 European countries for a rediscovery of popular destinations such as Prague, Vienna and Budapest from a more intimate, relaxing perspective. Taking in the myriad sights along the enchanting Rhine; encountering the less familiar but infinitely beautiful Mosel as it winds through the Black Forest or enjoying the magnificent Danube as it traverses fairytale landscape on its way to the Black Sea, each cruise ensures that every stage of the journey is an awe-inspiring and integral part of the travelling experience.

On the Dutch Golden Age Journey, guests will see up close the charming canals and gabled town houses of 17th century Amsterdam onboard the Royal Crown II, the river yacht’s private sloop, before setting sail on the Ijsselmeer for the picturesque port towns Hoorn, Enkhuizen and Volendam. Those opting for a longer cruise holiday, such as the two-week Grand Europe Journey. will follow in the steps of the Romans as they voyage to celebrated cities including Budapest, Vienna, Bratislava and the Bavarian region.

At full capacity, Royal Crown caters for just 88 guests in a total of 44 luxuriously appointed cabins with flatscreen TVs and fully-stocked mini-bars to promise an all-inclusive and sophisticated cruise holiday. Often described as an 'Orient Express on Water', the river yacht exudes 1930s glamour and style with Art Deco design and bespoke butler service.

The 52-strong team caters to each individual’s needs with every comfort onboard considered, from the choice of pillow to a favourite drink, everything is taken care of. The traditional ambiance and décor is propelled into the 21st century with modern facilities, including a deluxe spa, golf putting area, well-equipped fitness room and 24-hour multimedia business lounge. On each cruise, guests - and particularly solo travellers - will enjoy a luxurious offering: exquisite fine dining, classical music concerts and, of course, Europe’s most stunning vistas, all at great value.

For more info, visit www.ewaterways.co.uk or contact the river-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Special offers for River Cruises

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Titan HiTours Elegant River Cruises has released a series of special offers across its award-winning river cruises for bookings made before January 31.

Examples include savings of up to £3,200 per couple on the 15-day ‘Imperial Capitals of Europe’ itinerary departing April 16, which now costs from £2,499 per person if booked by Jan 31.

Taking passengers on a European odyssey through seven countries from Istanbul to Vienna, the journey starts with three days in Istanbul before flying to Bucharest to join the River Princess at Giurgiu (Romania) for the beginning of its journey along the Danube. Highlights will include cruising through the Iron Gates, an 80-mile long stretch of scenic gorges, as well as city tours of Belgrade, Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna (above); wine tasting in the Villany Hills and a home-hosted lunch in the Croatian town of Osijek.

Savings of up to £2,000 per couple are also available on the 'Treasures of Prague - Rhine and Main' tour departing on April 17 and offers amazing value from £1,659 per person.

For further information, click on to Titan Hi Tours.

Jewish Heritage Excursions - AMA Waterways

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Award-winning river cruise line AmaWaterways will offer special Jewish Heritage excursions on two of its popular Danube cruises this autumn: the November 22 Blue Danube Discovery itinerary and November 21 Romantic Danube cruise. The complimentary Jewish Heritage tours, part of AmaWaterways’ included shore excursions offer, will include synagogue visits, Jewish districts, museums, monuments and other landmarks of significance to Jewish history. A dedicated guide will lead the tours, which are open to all interested passengers, regardless of their faith.

The seven-night Blue Danube Discovery departs Budapest on the MS AmaLyra and ends in Nuremberg. ‘Jewish Heritage’ highlights during the cruise include entrance to the Jewish Museum in Bratislava, as well as a special visit to the tomb of Chatam Sofer, the famous rabbi. Passengers will visit the Jewish Museum, Judenplatz and Old Synagogue, Sigmund Freud House (outside), Jewish Cemetery and Jewish Quarter in Vienna. In Regensburg, a specialist in Judaica will lead a tour that includes the site of the Regensburg Synagogue. In Nuremberg, the tour will include the Jewish cemetery, old Jewish ghetto and location where the Old Synagogue stood.

The cruise costs from £729 per person, cruise-only, saving £647pp, with optional hotel stays (at extra cost) in Budapest and, after the cruise, in Prague, with each extension featuring further Jewish-themed tours.

For more information, visit http://www.amawaterways.co.uk/ or try the river-cruise specialists The Cruise Line Ltd.

The Romantic Danube cruise from Budapest to Vilshofen on the MS AmaDolce departs November 21. Jewish Heritage tours will be offered in Bratislava, Vienna and Linz and the cruise costs from £729 per person, cruise-only, saving £647pp, with optional hotel stays (at extra cost) in Budapest and, after the cruise, in Prague, each featuring additional Jewish-themed tours.

Guests aboard the 148-passenger AmaLyra and AmaDolce will enjoy the luxurious amenities that have made AmaWaterways so popular in river cruising. Both vessels feature French balconies in the majority of staterooms; plush down bedding, marble-appointed bathrooms, complimentary high-speed Internet, Wi-Fi and first-run Hollywood movies in staterooms; wine, beer and soft drinks at dinner; unlimited speciality coffees and bottled water; elevators, a fitness room and sauna, walking track and whirlpool on the Sun Deck plus a fleet of bicycles for passenger use.

Avalon Launches Spring Discounts

By guest blogger Steve Newman

AvalonWaterways, the USA-based luxury river cruise company which launched its UK operation last year, has announced a range of discounts on its 2011 spring departures of up to £450 per person.

Operating the youngest, quietest and most spacious fleet of ships currently on Europe’s rivers, which include the Rhine, Moselle, Rhone, Main, Danube and Seine, Avalon kicks off the spring discounting by offering £450 off its April 10 sailing of the popular 11-day ‘Legendary Danube’ cruise from Prague to Budapest on the 5-star MS Tapestry, now priced from £1509 per person (reduced from £1959), to include return flights, full board with complimentary regional wine, beer or soft drinks with dinner and free door-to-home pick-up within a 75-mile radius of the chosen UK departure airport.

Still on the Danube, a discount of £450 is also offered on the 13-day ‘Blue Danube Discovery’ departing on May 6 from Budapest to Prague on Avalon Tranquility now priced at £1845 (reduced from £2295).

Discounts of £325 are also available on the 11-day ‘Burgundy & Provence’ route departing from Paris to the Cote d’Azur on Avalon Scenery and the 8-day ‘Romantic Rhine’ departing from Zurich to Amsterdam on Avalon Felicity, both on April 24.

Other itineraries available with discounts include the 13-day ‘Blue Danube to the Black Sea’, the 15-day ‘Magnificent Europe’ and the 13-day ‘European Splendour’.

For further information on the range of itineraries available, visit http://www.avaloncruises.co.uk/ or call the river-cruise specialist agents of The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 088 6677.

AMA's New Brochure

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Award-winning river cruise line AMA Waterways has launched its 2011 UK brochure, featuring luxurious voyages in Europe, Russia, Cambodia and Vietnam with a lead-in price of £1,422pp for a seven-night cruise, including all meals, wine with dinner (in Europe), daily excursions and free Wi-Fi.

Eighteen itineraries take in the Rhine, Main, Danube, Rhone, Saone and Moselle, as well as the Volga-Baltic Waterway in Russia and the Mekong in Vietnam and Cambodia. Next year will also see AMA Waterways introducing two new vessels, special events ashore and a wide range of pre- and post-cruise options.

Steve Williams, managing director of Fred. Olsen Travel, which represents AMA in the UK, says: “We are very excited about the launch of a new brochure for 2011 which embraces the introduction of a new ship, AmaLotus, on the Mekong and the AmaKatarina, destined to be the best ship on the Volga."

For maximum flexibility, as many guests prefer to choose their airline or travel by train to join their ship, AMA offers cruise-only pricing. These prices can, however, also be packaged with flights, train, transfers and hotels. For example, Prague, Budapest or Istanbul can be added to the Grand Danube voyage, while hotels in Paris and Barcelona can be combined with the Provence and Spain itineraries. Guests visiting South-East Asia can choose between an eight-day cruise from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City (or vice versa) or a 16-day itinerary combining the cruise with accommodation in Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh City.

Oh, and don't forget to come along to the Cruise Show at the Birmingham NEC this weekend!

Cruise Through Christmas and The New Year

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Award-winning river cruise specialist AMA Waterways has savings of over £1300pp off Christmas and New Year luxury 5-star river cruises on the Danube, Rhine and Moselle, with a 7-night Christmas sailing from Budapest to Nuremberg, departing on December 20, available for £1289pp, and a New Year sailing from Nuremberg to Amsterdam for the same fare and saving, departing on December 27.

For those wishing to while away the entire Christmas and New Year period, cruising Europe’s scenic waterways amid luxurious hotel-style surroundings, with generous sized staterooms, free Wi-Fi and a state-of-the-art infotainment centre, high-quality cuisine inclusive of champagne breakfast, lunch and dinner with free-flowing wine, AMA has a 14-night sailing from Budapest to Amsterdam departing on December 20, for £2149, saving more than £1300pp, based on two sharing.

Single savings on River Cruises

AMA is also offering savings of up to £1030 for single travellers this Autumn, with prices from £1054 for a week’s cruise from Budapest to Nuremberg, visiting Bratislava, Vienna, Durnstein, Melk, Linz, Passau and Regensburg, departing on November 22.

Singles prices are based on solo occupancy of a twin/double cabin and include champagne breakfasts, lunch and dinner with free-flowing wine, free Wi-Fi, daily guided tours and free use of on-board bicycles.

For more info, contact www.amawaterways.co.uk

And don't forget to visit their stand at the The Cruise Show at Birmingham in October (16-17) and London next March (26-27).

Cruising in style to the Christmas Markets.

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Christmas away from home can be an enjoyable experience, especially if you find somewhere that makes the experience even more magical. Now luxury river cruise operator AMA Waterways is offering a series of romantic European river cruises to take in the famous Christmas markets of Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and Hungary.

The company is featuring a seven-night Christmas Time Cruise on its luxury river cruiser AmaLyra sailing between Nuremberg and Budapest, with ample time in the markets at Regensburg, Passau, Melk, Vienna and, for Advent with a Hungarian flavour, Budapest. There's also an optional excursion to romantic Salzburg and, in Budapest, a special evening's sailing past the dazzling Christmas illuminations that light up the riverfront in the heart of the city.

Departing from Budapest to Amsterdam on December 20th, there is a one-off, 14-night Christmas and New Year cruise celebrating both festivities on board, with seasonal dinners and a convivial, party atmosphere for each. The AmaLyra will be in historic Melk on Christmas Eve (the day Austrians celebrate Christmas) until 10pm and then sailing to Linz and Passau.

There are also two Rhine Winter Voyages during Advent on sister ship AmaLegro, with plenty of opportunity to explore Christmas markets in ports between Basel and Amsterdam. The itinerary includes the markets of Freiburg, Strasbourg, Speyer, Worms, Rudesheim and Cologne, where each market is different, from the medieval themes of French Strasbourg to the pretty market in Rudesheim and the impressive display in Cologne, in the shadow of the magnificent cathedral with more than 160 wooden stalls. There are two departures, on November 26 and December 3.

Prices for all cruises are from £1,199 per person, including an allowance of £200 towards flights, all meals on board (breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner), unlimited wine with dinner, a daily sightseeing programme, folklore and musical performances, bicycles for use in port, a high-tech in-cabin entertainment system and free internet access.

For further details, look up http://www.amawaterways.co.uk/.

First 'All Suite Ship'

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Avalon Waterways is to introduce the very first ‘All Suite Ship’ – the Avalon Panorama – in May 2011.

Featuring in the company’s new European River Cruise brochure (Mar-Nov 2011), the Panorama is the first of its kind in the industry. Offering two full decks of suites with wall-to-wall sliding panoramic windows (above) that are 50% wider than the industry standard, the Panorama Suites are 200sq ft (30% larger than the industry standard) while the Royal Suites will measure an astonishing 300sq ft and feature a king-size bed, full size designer bathroom and separate toilet.

The Panorama will operate the 15-day ‘Magnificent Europe’ cruise (Amsterdam to Budapest and reverse) from May to November 2011, priced from £2,249 in a Panorama Suite and from £4,022 in a Royal Suite; and on the 13-day 'Blue Danube Discovery' (from Budapest to Prague) on 14 November, priced from £1,949 and £2836 .

Cruises offered as ‘no fly’ options and which operate in conjunction with Eurostar departures from London’s St. Pancras or Ebbsfleet include the 8-day ‘Paris to Normandy’s Landing Beaches’ and the 11-day ‘Burgundy & Provence.’

New for this edition is the possibility to book ‘cruise only,’ thus affording additional flexibility pre or post-cruise. Also new is the ability to pre-purchase a drinks package (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) which complements the existing free regional wine, beer or soft drinks served with dinner.

All holidays include a free door-to-door home pick-up service within a 75 mile radius of the chosen airport or Eurostar station. Prices in the new brochure start from £999 per person based on the 4-day ‘Taste of the Danube’ from Vienna to Budapest on board Avalon Tapestry departing on 16 October from London Heathrow or from a range of UK airports at a supplement.

For further information on the full range of itineraries available or to request a brochure, visit http://www.avaloncruises.co.uk/.

Avalon will also be exhibiting at the must-see Cruise Show in Birmingham in October.

The Rhine and The Danube

By guest blogger Steve Newman

River cruising in Europe is one of the most popular ways to see the great cities of the Rhine and the Danube. It's a simple way to travel, you're in the middle of the action, seeing it close up, plus there's plenty of time to unwind - and, if you can do it for half price, so much the better. Now luxury river cruise operator AMA Waterways is offering free places for clients booking a choice of European river cruises for departure in November 2010.

The 'two for one' offer includes a 7-night cruise from picturesque Vilshofen to Budapest for just £1376 for the first guest, including port taxes, with a second person sharing paying just port taxes of £86, bringing the total price down to £731pp, including wine with dinner, free use of on-board bicycles and wi-fi (based on two sharing a cabin; excludes flights).

The company’s all-inclusive fares include all excursions, Internet/Satellite connection in every cabin and quality wines and beer with every evening meal. Even postcards are provided and posted free of charge!

On the 1st November, try the 'Blue Danube Discovery' - from £785 pp for two sharing. Cruise for half price with free places for companions on departures on 1st and 22nd November from Budapest to Nuremberg, cruising through some of Europe's most spectacular scenery and visiting Vienna, Bratislava, Passau and Regensburg with its 2,000-year-old ambiance of art and culture.

Prices are from £1571 for two, the usual price per person, and equivalent to £785pp, including port taxes, all meals, wine with dinner, excursions, etc, based on two sharing a cabin. Excludes flights.

You can find out more at http://www.amawaterways.co.uk/