Jewish Heritage Themed Cruise with AMA Waterways

Trace the Jewish heritage of the Danube from the comfort of a luxury river cruiser with AMA Waterways in 2012.

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, all led by knowledgeable guides, these cruises represent a really different aspect of European river-cruising.

The cruises pass through Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary and highlights include a special visit to the tomb of Chatam Sofer, the famous rabbi, a visit to Oskar 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 `Jewish Heritage’ Blue Danube cruise between Budapest and Nuremberg, departing October 17, costs from £1,775 per person, including all meals, wine with dinner, free Wi-Fi and free use of on-board bicycles, excluding flights.

For booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury 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.

Spend New Year’s Eve in Amsterdam FREE with AmaWaterways

For bookings made during National Cruise Week (18-25 September), AmaWaterways is offering a free additional two-night stay on board the luxury five-star river cruiser AmaLegro for all clients booking a week-long Christmas cruise from Nuremberg to Amsterdam, departing on December 23.

The seven-night cruise costs from £1,195 per person and includes two additional free nights on board, all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, with complimentary house wine), free wi-fi, free use of on board bicycles and daily tours, hosted by knowledgeable guides, or £1,425 with return UK flights and overseas transfers.

Guests booking the festive cruise during National Cruise Week next week will be entitled to stay on for two extra nights in Amsterdam, on December 30 and 31, inclusive of all meals.

For more information, visit www.amawaterways.co.uk or the river-cruise specialists of 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.

AMA Waterways River Cruise Offers

The following offers from AMA Waterways are now available.

3rd April, 1st & 7th May: Vineyards of the Rhine and Moselle, saving up to £867pp

A 7-night luxury river cruise along the Rhine and Moselle, from Amsterdam to Luxembourg, visiting Cologne, with wine tasting in Rudesheim, passing half-timbered towns and villages, castles and vineyards, can now be booked from £824pp, saving £738pp (was £1562), departing on 3rd April, or on 1st May for £953pp, saving £867, and on 7th May for £925, saving £838. Prices include all meals, champagne breakfasts and wine with dinner; free Wi-Fi and free use of on board bicycles and daily excursions.

14th May: Lavender, Wine and the Rhone with £348pp saving

Departing 14th May, this 7-night Rhone River cruise from Aries to Lyon now costs from £1479 per person (was £1827pp), fully inclusive. The sailing departs from Aries and cruises to Avignon through beautiful wine-growing regions producing grapes for famous wines like Beaujolais, Côte du Rhône and Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

3rd June: Vineyards of the Rhine and Moselle with £871 saving per person

This 7-night luxury cruise along the Rhine and Moselle, from Luxembourg to Amsterdam and visiting Cologne, with wine-tasting in Rudesheim, can now be booked from £956pp, saving £871pp (was £1827).

30th July: Europe's Rivers and Castles with £839pp saving

Another 7-night Rhine cruise is now from £924 per person (was £1763pp). The cruise begins in scenic Nuremberg and meanders through Europe’s most beautiful scenery along the Mosel, Rhine, Main and Main-Danube Canal, concluding in Luxembourg. Again, the price includes all meals, champagne breakfasts and wine with dinner, free Wi-Fi, use of onboard bicycles and daily excursions.

For more details, visit the river-cruise agents of The Cruise Line or http://www.amawaterways.co.uk/

More Savings With AMA Waterways

AMA Waterways have some really good savings on offer for the spring and early summer. Departing on April 4, with a saving of £153pp off a 7-night cruise of the Dutch and Belgian waterways, now costs from £1,409pp (was £1,562pp), including all meals, champagne breakfasts and free-flowing wine with dinner, free wifi and free use of onboard bicycles and daily excursions. The 'Tulip Time' cruise passes carpets of colourful flowers and lush green countryside dotted with windmills, while the tours take in historic towns and cities, including the medieval cities of Antwerp and Ghent.

A 7-night luxury spring river cruise on one of Europe’s most beautiful rivers, the Rhine River, departs May 7 and can now be booked for £924pp (was £1,763), saving £839pp. The cruise departs from Amsterdam and meanders along the Rhine, through Cologne to Luxembourg, and includes all meals, excursions, etc.

Departing May 14, AMA has savings of £348pp off a 7-night Rhone River cruise from Aries to Lyon, with prices now from £1,479 per person (was £1827pp), again including all meals, wine with dinner, etc. The sailing departs from Aries and cruises to Avignon through beautiful wine-growing regions where such famous wines as Beaujolais, Côte du Rhône and Chateauneuf-du-Pape originate.

Departing on July 30, there are savings of £839 off a 7-night Rhine cruise, now £924 per person (was £1763pp). The cruise begins in scenic Luxembourg and meanders through some beautiful scenery along the Mosel, Rhine, Main and Main-Danube Canal, concluding in Nuremburg. The price again is all-inclusive of meals, champagne breakfasts, wine with dinner, wifi and use of on board bicycles and daily excursions.

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

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.

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/.

Treasures of Prague, The Rhine and Main

By guest blogger Steve Newman.

We seem to be writing a lot about River Cruising lately and it certainly is becoming more popular. After all, discovering the opulence and majesty of a bygone era in total relaxation just has to be an attractive proposition.

Now you can journey for eight days from the heartland of Germany along the Rhine and Main rivers to Prague, the "City of a Hundred Spires", on Uniworld’s new 'Treasures of Prague, the Rhine and Main' itinerary starting in April 2011.

Sail from Cologne to Nuremberg onboard the completely remodelled beautiful boutique cruise ship, River Ambassador. Then be whisked away to Prague, where you’ll spend three days in one of the world’s most captivating cities with its eclectic mixture of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture, all standing seamlessly side by side, and its UNESCO World Heritage city centre.

This cruise offers an up-close look at the magnificent castles and gardens of European royalty - reminders of life lived on a grand scale. And, for those who’d like to share the gift of Europe with the special young people in their lives, Uniworld offers select family-friendly sailings during the summer. Visit the Wurzurg Residenz with the largest fresco ceiling in the world and cap the tour off with a private wine tasting of fabulous Franconian wines in the historic Residenz cellars

The cruise includes door-to-door UK airport transfers; return scheduled flights; a 7-night cruise in a riverview stateroom; 2 nights in Prague at the superior first class Art Deco Imperial Hotel, with breakfast daily; all meals onboard with complimentary fine European wines, choice of beer and soft drinks during dinner; seven shore excursions, fully hosted by English-speaking local guides; an exclusive Epicurean Adventurer Programme and all transfers on arrival and departure days.

Prices begin at £2,275 per person and, if paid in full by October 31 2010, guests can save up to £900 per couple. For more info, see http://www.uniworldrivercruises.co.uk/

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/