No Regional Flight Supplements In 2012 With Avalon

Luxury European river cruise company Avalon Waterways is offering savings of up to £185 per person with no regional flight supplement to pay on 2012 bookings made before September 30.



The river-cruise specialist is offering a range of UK departures from up to 13 airports and an exclusive private door-to-door transfer service is included in the holiday price.



To find out more, visit www.avalonwaterways.com or contact the river-cruise booking experts of The Cruise Line.

Uniworld Launches New Douro Spirit

This week, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises’ new ship, the Douro Spirit (above), made its debut on the "Portugal, Spain and Douro Valley” itinerary.

The Douro Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage region, is being increasingly recognised for its wine making and natural beauty, reflected in an impressive 80% growth in UK river cruisers in 2010 over 2009, according to recent figures from the Passenger Shipping Association.

Its port heritage dates back over 2,000 years, with the oldest demarcated wine region in the world. The Douro Valley is also a cultural landscape of exceptional beauty, with rambling vineyards and charming quintas clinging to the steep slopes of its valley, creating an incomparable backdrop to one of Europe’s most unspoiled regions. And this is what you can expect to see and experience from the comfort of Douro Spirit.

Every riverview stateroom and suite onboard features a French balcony, so guests can get closer to the breathtaking scenery of the region’s unspoiled natural landscapes. The Spirit’s common areas provide added comfort with a main lounge featuring a full-service bar and dance floor, a restaurant, sun deck with jacuzzi and small swimming pool, a lovely onboard restaurant with open seating, fitness room, massage room, beauty salon and a boutique.

And all of this is presented on an intimate ship built to accommodate a maximum of 128 passengers and provide the small-ship boutique ambience that Uniworld has become known for.

The 11-day "Portugal, Spain & the Douro River Valley" cruise includes: three nights in Lisbon at a deluxe hotel; a 7-night cruise in a stateroom with a French balcony onboard Douro Spirit; all meals, with complimentary fine wine, beer and soft drinks served with dinner onboard; 10 fully-hosted shore excursions by English-speaking local guides; return flights and transfers. Prices start at just £2,499 per person.

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

AMA Waterways Offers - Save Up To £867pp

AmaWaterways have cut the cost of a 7-night luxury river cruise through Holland's spectacular bulb-fields, departing on April 1, to £1,299pp, saving £624pp (was £1,923). The spring flowers are at their best from mid-March through to mid-May, and this is the perfect time to discover the beauty and history of the Dutch and Belgian waterways. Prices include all meals, champagne breakfasts and wine with dinner; free Wi-Fi and free use of onboard bicycles and daily excursions.

A 7-night cruise on May 1 and 7 along the Rhine and Moselle, from Amsterdam to Luxembourg visiting Cologne, enjoying wine-tasting in Rudesheim, passing half timbered towns and villages, castles andvineyards, can now be booked from £953pp, saving £867pp (again including all meals, wine with dinner, free Wi-Fi, use of on board bicycles and daily excursions).

Departing May 14, there are savings of £348 off a 7-night Rhone River cruise from Arles to Lyon, with prices from £1479 per person (was £1827). The sailing cruises to Avignon through beautiful wine-growing regions producing grapes for famous wines as Beaujolais, Côte du Rhône and Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

Or try a June 3 river cruise along the Rhine and Moselle, again on the Luxembourg-Amsterdam route, from £956pp, saving £871pp (was £1827).

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

A night at the Opera in Prague - River Cruise

By guest blogger Steve Newman

How about a Night at the Opera in Prague, combined with a nine-day journey along the Main and Rhine Rivers aboard the MS Johann Strauss, all with a 10-night price from £1595?

Music-themed tours from Noble Caledonian in 2011 will include musical performances either on board your vessel, at your hotel or ashore in idyllic settings. There will also be an expert to provide informal talks and accompany you on excursions.

The musical journey begins in Prague. No central European tour would be complete without a few days in the magnificent Czech capital. To make your stay in this beautiful city even more memorable, the company have included a performance of Puccini’s La Boheme in the magnificent and historic Opera House.

After two days in Prague, you drive through the delightful countryside of Bohemia to Bavaria and the river port of Regensburg, just across the border in Germany. Sailing along the Main and Rhine, guests will get to enjoy the subtle changes in architecture and reflect on the many ways in which these mighty rivers have influenced the flow of history.

Just north of Regensburg is a great feat of engineering, The Danube-Main Canal, that allows vessels to connect between the Main and Rhine Rivers. Having meandered along the Main, you reach the Rhine passing through the dramatic Rhine Gorge, the steep banks dotted with romantic castles before arriving at the great city of Cologne and crossing the border into the Netherlands.

Enhancing your river cruise will be London Festival Opera who will be aboard for the duration of the voyage. Bringing together established opera singers from major British opera companies, the LFO have achieved a considerable reputation for presenting opera and music performances in a variety of worldwide venues and will perform on board in the lounge on three evenings.

Price Includes: Economy class scheduled air travel, two nights hotel accommodation in Prague with breakfast and dinner, lunch on day 3, 8 nights aboard Johann Strauss on full board, house wine, beer and soft drinks with dinner on board, shore excursions, guest speaker, performances by London Festival Opera, services of a cruise director, tour manager, transfers, port taxes, airport taxes, gratuities to crew and on shore excursions.

For more information, visit http://www.noblecaledonia.co.uk/

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.

River Tosca back on the River Nile

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Over the last several years, Uniworld River Cruises have seen a growing interest in Egypt, a glorious destination. As a company, they felt the need to provide travellers with a Nile River cruise that would incorporate the same high standards as their riverboats in Europe. As a result, Uniworld originally commissioned the River Tosca with the goal that it would be one of the most luxurious ships to sail the Nile.

However, when it became apparent the Tosca did not meet Uniworld standards, the company made the difficult decision to dry-dock the ship for seven weeks. The main deficiencies were: the quality of workmanship with the floors in the staterooms, main stairwell, and corridors - damaged and scratched during installation; the mosaic tiles in the restaurant; the paint and woodwork in the staterooms; and the choice of fabrics in the staterooms.

Dry-docking the ship - in the height of the season in Egypt - was a very difficult and humbling decision for the company. It was the right decision to make, however, both for the long term success of Uniworld in Egypt and, most importantly, for their customers. The Tosca resumed sailing the Nile last March, with all the floors in the staterooms, corridors, stairwells and restaurant having been replaced.

The 84-passenger ship now has new wall coverings in the staterooms and the furniture has been reupholstered with tones more appropriate to the destination. The staterooms are spectacular, both in size (a minimum of 300sq ft) and decor. With the Tosca resuming its Nile sailings, the Uniworld team eagerly awaits guests’ feedback.

Uniworld features elegant, boutique hotel-style cruise ships designed for the experienced traveller, with an average capacity of 134 guests, expertly planned itineraries and shore excursions, world-class cuisine and award-winning hospitality from an all-English speaking staff with a ratio of one staff member to every three guests. The company offers over 500 departures on 35 itineraries sailing on 9 rivers in 16 countries throughout Europe, Egypt, and China.

For more information, visit http://www.uniworldrivercruises.co.uk/

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.

More River-Cruise Choice

It seems river cruises are definitely the flavour of the month. No sooner do I detail the great advantages of this option compared to their big-ship, ocean-going brethren, than a new operation arrives dedicated to river cruising.

US-based Avalon Waterways is now available to a UK audience for the first time, bringing another array of high-quality riverboats to the attention (and availability) of an interested public. A new British office, website and countrywide marketing, highlight their drive to broaden their passenger base - and make river-cruising even more popular.

To start with, Avalon boast one of the youngest fleets in Europe, with eight boats dating back no longer than 2004 and two more due to come on line in 2010. They feature six main European rivers (Rhine, Danube, Moselle, Main, Rhone and Seine), as well as a range of themed cruises, and their newest six are powered by a state of the art, pod-propulsion, Silent Drive System. Two of their vessels, Avalon Poetry and Artistry, feature aft navigational bridges, which earned them an innovative design award as they allowed for more spacious public rooms and a Sky Deck.

Since their inauguration in 2004, Avalon have earned an enviable reputation for outstanding service, cuisine and onboard style, as well as featuring an attractive array of itineraries from 4-15 days (although most are in the 10-12 day range).

It's no wonder UK Managing Director Alan MacLean says: “Having become the most recognised and fastest growing river cruise brand in the world, we are delighted to launch our first class product on to the UK Market. River cruising is definitely bucking the trend in the recent economic downturn, being enjoyed by a largely recession-proof sector of the population who are prepared to pay for the highest level of quality and service.”

Their staterooms are currently the largest available on European rivers, from 172sq ft for standard rooms to a massive (by river-cruise standards) 258sq ft for suites. Virtually all have floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors with French balconies, affording panoramic views of the areas they cruise through. They are also superbly appointed, with state-of-the-art amenities and décor, such as flatscreen satellite TVs, Egyptian super-combed cotton linens and individual climate control.

Their high-class cuisine is prepared by an impressive range of chefs, who include classic dishes and regional specialities, while the full board arrangement includes complimentary regional wine with dinner, taking advantage of the numerous classic varieties to be found close to Europe’s principal rivers.

Importantly, most excursions are also included, with personal headsets provided for all guided tours ashore. To add to the first class experience, Avalon offers complimentary round-trip door-to-home pick-up service in chauffeur-driven executive cars within 75 miles of the chosen international departure airport or Eurostar station.

If all that doesn't tempt you, then wait for the prices, which are all extremely value-conscious, especially for continental Europe (try getting four-star full-board accommodation in Germany, France or Austria for £160 a day!):

Prices for 2010 start from £915 for the five day ‘Taste of the Danube’ cruise on board Avalon Tapestry. Other itineraries include the ‘Legendary Danube’ (Prague-Budapest, 10 days from £1635), ‘Danube & Black Sea Coast’ (Prague-Bucharest, 13 days from £2949), ‘Romantic Rhine’ (Basel-Amsterdam, 8 days from £1369), ‘Burgundy & Provence’ (Cote d’Azur-Paris, 11 days from £1669), ‘European Splendour’ (Vienna-Amsterdam, 13 days from £1789) and the ‘Central European Experience’ (Paris-Prague, 12 days from £1955).

For music and wine connoisseurs there is also a range of themed cruises on specific departures such as the Burgundy & Provence Wine cruise or the Magnificent Europe Music Cruise with shore excursions to include a Strauss concert in Vienna, an organ recital in Melk and a visit to the Opera House in Bayreuth.

Interested yet? It certainly gets my attention, and the Danube & Black Sea Coast would definitely be my idea of a memorable trip. Now, where's their phone number...........!

The Future of River Cruising? (by SV)

With news of the demise (in 2010) of Peter Deilmann's river cruise operations, American operator AMA Waterways is looking to jump into the gap. Represented in the UK by Fred. Olsen Cruises, a weekend press release insists AMA is "the future of river cruising" in Europe.

While it may be a tad too soon (like, about 12 months too early!), to make any predictions of all-encompassing success in the river cruise ranks, it is probably a smart move by AMA to flag up their options (especially at the luxury end of things) in a bid to grab a greater share of the market, especially since the launch of their new, five-star MS Amalyra (above).

AMA expects to increase river cruise business in 2009 by "up to 200%" (although even a 1% increase would actually fall within range of that quote!), with a similar figure projected for next year.

Now, the question is, will Viking River Cruises (the UK and Europe's other big river operator) throw their hat into the ring for "the future"?

For more details of AMA Waterways cruises, look up http://www.amawaterways.com/ or try Fred. Olsen on 01473 746175. To book, as always, call The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

River Cruises Vs. Ocean Cruises by Anthony Nicholas

Ok, say you’re older now, and your idea of ‘messing about on the river’ has graduated from sticking frogs in your sister’s satchel to the idea of playing Huckleberry Finn on one of the great rivers of the world, rolling through a raft of different countries at a civilised speed, with a hefty dollop of adventure and wonder for company. Fine, come on down.



So, where to then? As it happens, the world is yours to choose from. Not so much on a plate as just around the next river bend. Imagine watching the glorious confection of old world spires and cobbled squares of Prague emerging from the midst of the steel grey Danube, or sassy, sophisticated Paris on the Seine, blinking herself awake as the sun hauls itself slowly into the sky. Tres bien, oui?



Meander along the ancient, magnificent Nile and see the greatest theme park on earth, as the matchless treasures of Egypt unfurl each day like a series of staggering drum rolls. Karnak. Esna. Aswan… Feluccas on the river at sunset, palm trees on the river banks. A journey back through five thousand spellbinding years.



Take a slow boat to China with a meandering passage up the mighty Yangtze, or drink wine on the Rhine as cathedral cities like Cologne come and go. Often as not, overnight stops enable you to really get into the heart and soul of a place. Board, unpack once, settle in and, wherever your sense of wonder takes you, well- just go with the flow. Easy, really.



But if the big old ocean’s more your thing, there’s more choice than you can shake a really big stick at. Dress up or down, formal with all the glamour or free and easy, there’s a style and ship for you wherever you want to go. Ride a carousel in the Caribbean on the biggest cruise ship the world has ever seen. Wave goodbye to winter on a festive swing round the island paradise they call Hawaii.



See the dreamy spires and cobbled squares of old Europe in the Baltic, and experience just how ‘wonderful’ Copenhagen really is.



More? Meander round the sunny, alluring Med, and indulge your inner Onassis in the playgrounds of the French and Italian Riviera, then top up with a healthy dose of platinum chip excitement in Rome, Florence or even Pisa. Play at Zorba in the Greek islands, and feel more like Zeus as you take in the awesome panorama from atop Santorini’s spectacular heights.



Get far out in the Far East, or saunter into Sydney’s incredible harbour for a spot of life down under. Or indulge your inner Jack and Rose on a black tie and ball gown breeze across the Atlantic to New York. Oh, and Bermuda is just, well, blissful really.



So, it’s wherever whenever. Unpack once and watch the world roll out between all the feasting and partying. Champagne at sunset, casinos at midnight or just curling up with a good book or good friend. Both even. Or neither. Your ship’s come in- all that’s missing is you.



You can read more of Anthony Nicholas's work in the UK's premier cruising magazine, World Of Cruising.